Looking to buy new gear - Questions

[lowviz]

... I live in Missouri where I will be diving primarily in lakes and quarries. I would say that temps will range from 55 to 85 degrees. ...

If you are planning to become a local diver (good for you!), take a drysuit course from your LDS before you buy anything serious. It will really open up winter diving and the experience may have a big impact on the gear you are looking to own.

 

[Jupiter31]

I'd recommend renting a bunch of gear first. Find out works for you and the kind of diving you want to do and try out a lot of different brands.

Agree 100% - also talk with other divers about their equipment and why they made their choices - ask would they purchase the same eq again - divers LOVE to talk about their equipment

I'm not a fan of an integrated octopus like the Air2.

Have you ever tried breathing from the Air2 and trying to control your buoyancy at the same time?

Have you ever tried buddy breathing with an Air2???????????

Just get a regular octopus.

Yup - agreed - another product where I ask myself "was this item really needed"

Congratulations on getting certified. Now is the time to slow down. Rent all kinds of different gear to see what fits you best. Openhelix is absolutely right and most times that will mean going to different shops in your area. BTW, if you plan to travel, the Air2 is not your friend.

If you are planning to become a local diver (good for you!), take a drysuit course from your LDS before you buy anything serious. It will really open up winter diving and the experience may have a big impact on the gear you are looking to own.

More good advice Most divers could stock a small LDS with stuff they bought and then replaced - better to go in with eyes wide open

 

[imwright1985]

Yup - agreed - another product where I ask myself "was this item really needed"

like i said its nice(for me) but some people dont like, you should have an alternate air though and my feeling is it is a touch bulkier than normal inflator but consolidates your hoses by combining the LPI and Octo and if you and your buddy are responsible you shouldnt need to use it plus when you use it you should only be using to go to surface. which isnt that long of a time. another complaint about air2 is that the standard 2nd stage hose is usually somewhat short to share comfortably with and the hoses on the inflators if too short will cause you to have your head slightly inhibited from moving freely towards, i think, the right side.

you will find alot of dive gear is personal preferance (I have a friend that prefers analog gauges over any computer), take some of the things some people like if you cant find a way to try it and ask them what the benefits are and whats the major differences so you can kinda evaluate it on your own judgement towards what you would possibly like

 

[Sinbad the Diver]

I haven't tried the air2 - only reason that is included is because the local dive shop has a special - ( everything I mentioned above is total package). However, getting a regular octo isn't out of the question either and to be honest is probably what I'll end up doing.

Thanks for the tips so far....

when I bought my gear I discussed the AIR2 with a bunch of people, in my mind it came down to the fact that I was learning how to dive (35 dives and I'm still learning) and in that situation simple is best. If you have to go to the octo, you're going to be under some stress, having it just like the reg you breath all the time and your power inflator be in the same place rather than in your mouth (or worse, your buddies mouth) seems to be a better situation.

enjoy your diving

 

[footballguy05]

Well - I'm hearing quite a discussion of the Air2. It seems that some people like it, others don’t. That’s kinda the feeling I had when I went into it.

It seems no one has a problem with Scubapro or my choice of regulator and bc (if anyone has complaints on these items feel free to chime in).

Thanks to everyone who has left responses so far, they’re all been very helpful and full of information. One good thing is I’m going diving tomorrow (Sat June 11) at the local quarry. I’m renting some gear –octo and all. My dive buddy and his brother both have the air2. I think I’ll do some testing with his (he’s got the same size gear as I wear) and I’ll find out for myself.

Again, I appreciate all the responses.

 

[imwright1985]

scubapro makes very good gear, that is why not too many people knock them. My only complaints with scuba pro are a reg i tried that (i think was messed up a little) exhaust port kept putting bubbles right in the view of my mask, and i think it was the classic bc i didnt like the fit. I didnt have any problems with other scuba pro regs and BC is just a comfort issue so different model would possibly fix that. Most major scuba brands are kinda like car companies they all make decent products, some have some better features for price than the others and some have slightly better durability with parts of their entire gear setup. Just keep in mind there are alot of other BC's and regs so i would try renting others while your getting ready to buy and compare to the gear you have already tried, different brands and even models too you might be able to save a little cash or be more comfortable at that price with a slightly different selection

ment to add styles of bc too with bp/w, back inflate, and the kinda partial back inflate styles too. kinda disagree with bonairre for the wetsuit being first, if you can make it through summer without one and make enough to get one as it gets cooler just make sure the bc is roomy enough for one. you could use the money you save on rentals after buying to get some wetsuits

 

[BonaireDan]

This topic is wide open. Asking a question like this is an excellent start. But asking 5 peopl ewill get you more like 10+ answers!!!!

Renting gear first is a great option. Particularly if you have that capability.

I am a St. Louis native, grew up in K.C. (both sides) and now live in Ohio and teach scuba. Therefore I dive the same waters you do most of the year.

First purchase I would suggest is a combo of wet suits. A 3mm will be great this time of year in waters in the 70's and up. I have finally locked onto a brand I think is superb and I have tried many. The Waterproof wetsuit line out of Sweden is top notch and feels like it will last long. Even the 3mm acts like a heavier suit with ankle and wrist seals. So far has good wear ability and wear resistance.

A second wetsuit should be heavier - say 7mm and again I simply love my 7mm Waterproof wetsuit. All the instructors with whom I work say the same thing. It works effectively for classes even down to 60 degrees.

A dry suit is great if you will spend much time in 60 degree waters and even in to the 50's like in early Spring. Or when you get intrigued by winter and ice diving. But I view the dry suit as a later step once you gain much experience. If you were trained in Seattle and north or Maine and north you would likely start in a dry suit. Save that in the Midwest for later.

Otherwise gear is highly personal and what works for you may not work for me, etc. I echo those who do not like the Air2 system. Our dive center used to have all rental gear like this (owner got a good manufacturer's price break). All of us jumped for joy when it aged to the point of having to be replaced and now we only use and rent regs with regular octopus alternate air sources.

I will stop with brand recommendations for BCs and reg/computer systems. I love what I have but others love different brands. Try some varieties out for yourself. Be comfortable in them, whether they are jacket style BC,s back inflate, backplate and wings (BP/W), etc.

Simple gauges, analog are great along with a non-integrated wrist computer. I think computers are necessary but don't believe an air-integrated one is crucial at least early on. I have had computers fail on me while diving and on dive trips where my analog backup was the saving grace for diving. I say that with the experience of diving with wrist computers, non-air integrated console computers, air integrated console computers and my favorite toy - the Oceanic wireless HUD Datamask.

Look and ask around as you are doing. Good diving!!!

 

[meierdierck]

i have been diving the scubapro mk25 for 4 years, love it, great reg, free annual service is sweet, reg breathes very comfortably,

i have air 2 installed on all 3 of my personal bcd's, both my girlfriends bcds, and all my kids bcds, i think it is a GREAT product, never had issue with any, taught everyone how to bubby breath, and share so now surprises, travels nice, none of the problems listed above,I love it.

i also use the UWATEC integrated computer, also cant say enough good about it

i use a scubapro glide plus for teaching, because that is what is in our rentals, but if diving outside open water class i always defer a bp/w, or a back inflation bcd, mine is old genesis,

but look around i think you will out grow the glide bcd quickly, and look for something a little more comfortable, but you will love the scubapro regs,

 

[diverdown78]

I've recently been certified and have been shopping around for some gear. I've was trained in Scubapro gear and really liked the way it fit etc. I live in Missouri where I will be diving primarily in lakes and quarries. I would say that temps will range from 55 to 85 degrees. I know diving conditions affect the type of equipment you buy so I figured I would throw in this info.

The gear I'm really close to buying is the Scubapro MK11/R395 reg set with the 2 guage prime computer and Glide Plus BCD with Air2. From the research I've done so far, this set would be pretty good for what I want to do (recreational diving in Missouri.)

Any users of this equipment out there? What do you think? Is this suitable for a first time purchaser?

Let me know what you think....

i suggest the mk25 and the g250

 

[vjanelle]

Rent. Rent rent rent.

You're a new diver. Chances are very high you could cause some sort of issue to yourself that could permanently bar you from diving and then you'll have to sell your equipment at a steep discount.

If you get an Air2, do not put your primary on a short hose... 5' minimum. You'll need it to donate air in an emergency. If your shop has any tech courses ( GUE, UTD, IANTD, etc, etc) you'll probably see a lot of people walking around with a bungeed necklace if you dives with the shop.