Hiya!
I'm a fairly new-ish diver ...I do have some of my own gear...basics: mask, fins, snorkel, boots,light, knife, old BCD, primary and secondary ScubaPro Octopus...
However I want to get more into diving...
I was thinking it might be a good idea to rent most equipment (suit, gauges, weights, tanks) in order to get a better understanding of what works best for me... Good idea?
You already have
most equipment, more than basics. The things that people recommend renting, learning and trying more before you buy, you already have, in particular a BC. You may want a new BC sometime, but no need to rush since you have something.
Suit? Renting suits is not going to tell you what works best for you, because most rental suits are cheaper, beat up and crappy. You probably know by now what thickness you need where you're diving. Read up on what's available, try a bunch on, get one that fits and you're good to go.
Gauges? Gauges are pretty much gauges. You have a reg, it's a pain to rent just gauges and put them on, so get something. I guess the decision here is whether to get a computer and what type. Personally, unless you're looking to spend a bunch of money on toys (nothing wrong with that but it's not necessarily "better") I would get an analog pressure gauge and a entry level nitrox computer and you will be set for quite some time. You would want to decide before buying a console if the computer goes in there or you wear it on your wrist, there are arguments for both ways. If your budget is really tight get an analog depth gauge instead of the computer.
If you're diving locally, by all means buy the weights you need. All you need is a decent idea of how much and what sizes you like, which you probably do if you've done any dives at all.
Tanks - tanks may be a good thing to rent for now. There are lots of old threads around here that describe the pros and cons of owning your own tanks so I won't repeat them here.
Also...It is my understanding that every diver should have their own computer...for many reasons... How do I know which one is best for me...Every computer seems to have pretty much the same capabilities...with some minor differences and alternate perks to buying a certain product...
"every diver should have their own computer" is not saying that every diver must have a computer. It's saying if you
are diving a computer, you and your buddy should each have your own and not share one. Computers can be very useful for some people, they are for me. But they're not required and not inherently more or less safe then diving tables.
