Monterey divers - what gear do you use?

[LuvDaOcean]

Hi fellow NorCal'ers

I'm currently taking my ow cert class which is probably going to be delayed a bit 'cuz I have a cold...ugh! So, as I sit here pouting and waiting to get better, I figured I might as well start asking questions related to local diving (i.e., Monterey).

Of course, the first questions that pop into my mind are: What gear (from head-to-toe) do you all wear down there? And are you comfortable in that gear or do you feel restricted? Also, how do you go about finding dive buddies especially if you're a 'noob'? In general, do the more experienced divers run in the opposite direction when they see a newbie coming?

Gear-wise, knowing that I'm not rich, cold water is going to be 'it' for me if I want to get a decent amount of experience around here, so I need to start figuring out what sort of set-up I'll need. For starters, I'd like to wear a 3mil hyperstretch shorty...think that would be a good starting point?

Seriously, I'd appreciate knowing what you all wear and if you're happy with your set-up. Also, since I've been told that these factors play into what gear might be needed for cold water, if it doesn't bother you could you include your gender, height, weight, and age? I'm female, 5'4", 140lbs, and 47yrs old.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[dlndavid]

Hi Luv,
I too am new to Monterey diving. I am a male 5'10", 180 lbs, 46 yrs old.
I dove last Saturday for my first time in Monterey, or any cold water.
I used an Akona 7 mil one piece wet suit, my boots, glooves and hood are in the range of 5-6 mil. I didn't even feel the cold, amazing. There is a bit more restriction than using a 3 mil full, but not bad. The Akona is rated as a very warm suit at a very good price. My whole cold water set up was around $200 total, and I am very happy with it.
I'm sure many more will chime in with advice, but this is just what I use. Good luck on your certification and see you in Monterey.
David

 

[WileEDiver]

LDO-

"3mil hyperstretch shorty in Monterey?" You're kidding, right? Well, assuming that you are asking a serious question, I'll give a serious answer.

Personally I dive Monterey with the following gear:

• Exposure Suit: DUI Dry Suit (CLx450), Henderson Gold Core Hood, Oceanic Reef Gloves (I like the mobility)
• BCD: Zeagle Ranger LTD
• Regulator: Atomic Aquatics B2
• Fins: Mares Volo Power

This is admittedly a non-economy configuration, but as an instructor, I need a set-up that will let me do a lot of diving without thinking about the gear much. I like this configuration a lot. While I certainly feel more restriction of movement than I do when I'm diving in tropical areas in a 3mm wetsuit, I don't find it overly restrictive.

As far as personal stats, I'll cop to being a male, early 50s, and 5'11".

As for finding buddies, I'd strongly recommend joining a dive club and going out with them on a regular basis. The one at our shop meets and dives twice a month. PM me if you want more details.

Good luck.

 

[mossym]

6ft1, 180lbs, 27, just started diving a drysuit, before that, 7mm Henderson Hyperstretch, with a 7mm vest with attached hood. figured i dive enough that i owe it to myself to be as warm as possible, but until you figure out how much diving you're going to do a wetsuit is your best option. good gloves will help a lot.

apart from that, get a good light, it always helps in Monterey where the viz can be slightly less than stellar

the gear you get when you start will not be the gear you want in a year anyway, or at least it wasn't for me

 

[Wristshot]

LuvDaOcean,

Greetings!

GEAR - WETSUIT Etc
I use a 2-piece 7mm wetsuit, custom made at Otter Bay Wetsuits in Monterey. It includes a "special" 7mm hood. I use Henderson Gloves now, Gold Core, 5mm I think. (they work better and are easier to don / doff than my old Mares gloves) I wear Deep Sea (?) rock boots. I also use a pair of scuba socks that make it easier to get the wet suit on. I am Male, 48, 5' 8" 165lbs.

My set up works pretty well, but I am saving up for a drysuit. At the end of any reasonably long dives, the only thing really cold is my lips.

Before I "committed", I used rental gear from my local dive shop. The wetsuits were hit or miss. Some fit better than others, hence the custom suit.

My buddy uses a 2-piece Henderson Gold Core 7mm full wetsuit and Henderson 5mm Gloves and the same rock boots. He swears that the Henderson stuff is the greatest.

DIVE BUDDIES:
As for finding dive buddies in the area, ScubaBoard can be a good resource. A group of us on here have tried to casually start some "monthly" get togethers for diving, but so far we have had no success. No one has totally stepped up to take charge.

There are also some dive clubs in the area. If you can't find anything through your local dive shop, or through the Internet, let me know and I can try to send you some information from home.

Also, there is a Yahoo group for finding buddies for the Monterey area. Check out:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/montereydivebuddies/

I am not sure how many are on there, and the number of posts has dropped off a bunch in the last month, but there are a bunch of divers on there. In addition the site includes some useful links.

Hope that helps.


Wristshot

 

[bedmund]

Hi LuvDaOcean,
Ok let's see...

What gear (from head-to-toe) do you all wear down there?

I wear a DUI CLx 450 drysuit. I started out with a wetsuit but I got too cold after a year or so of diving Monterey that way. I dove a neoprene drysuit for a while, but when I put enough miles on that one, I got the CLx. I am nice and comfortable now.

Also, how do you go about finding dive buddies especially if you're a 'noob'?

I'm a solo diver so I don't have to worry about finding dive buddies, but since I usually dive off one of the boats I must say I've had a blast diving with some of the folks who happen to be onboard when I am - "noob" or not.

if it doesn't bother you could you include your gender, height, weight, and age?

I doesn't bother me so:
Male, 5'9", 168#, 40 years young.



-Bill

 

[scubajunkee]

HI there,

I started out with a good fitting O'Neil 7mm wetsuit with a 5mm hooded vest. 5mm scubapro gloves,Seaquest Pro Unlimited BCD, aqualung titan lx regulator & suunto cobra computer. It was a great setup for me to start with. I never really got too cold. Last year, I got a good deal on a Northern Diver CNX2000 drysuit and never looked back. I've also switched to a BP& W and totally love it.

Ericson

Hi fellow NorCal'ers

I'm currently taking my ow cert class which is probably going to be delayed a bit 'cuz I have a cold...ugh! So, as I sit here pouting and waiting to get better, I figured I might as well start asking questions related to local diving (i.e., Monterey).

Of course, the first questions that pop into my mind are: What gear (from head-to-toe) do you all wear down there? And are you comfortable in that gear or do you feel restricted? Also, how do you go about finding dive buddies especially if you're a 'noob'? In general, do the more experienced divers run in the opposite direction when they see a newbie coming?

Gear-wise, knowing that I'm not rich, cold water is going to be 'it' for me if I want to get a decent amount of experience around here, so I need to start figuring out what sort of set-up I'll need. For starters, I'd like to wear a 3mil hyperstretch shorty...think that would be a good starting point?

Seriously, I'd appreciate knowing what you all wear and if you're happy with your set-up. Also, since I've been told that these factors play into what gear might be needed for cold water, if it doesn't bother you could you include your gender, height, weight, and age? I'm female, 5'4", 140lbs, and 47yrs old.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

The more experienced divers tend to have set of regular buddies
they dive with. They don't necessarily run from newbies, but don't
actively seek them out much. Some organize club dives that are
a good way for a newb to get some experience.

There's a pretty good list of northern california dive clubs at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ba_diving/links

Dive Gear:
Diving Concepts 2mm crushed neoprene drysuit
Diving Concepts middle weight undies.
REI Expedition Weight wool socks
Diving Concepts Hood
SeaSoft TiPro 1.5/3mm gloves.

Halcyon backplate with 32(?) pound wing
Atomic B1T2 reg, primary on long hose, back up on short hose
and necklace.
Oceanic DataMax ProPlus Computer and compass on HP hose
Oceanic VersaPro Computer on wrist
Dunno who made the mask
Apollo Fins with spring heels. NOT split
19 pound weight belt
No snorkle
No knife
DiveAlert horn
Acme Thunderer whistle
Safety sausage
Ikelite PCa light as emergency backup only.
Ikelite miniC light as primary light.
Camera (I'll ignore the details)
17' Boston Whaler dive boat.

3 mm suit won't cut it in Monterey.

BC fit is particularly important for women. Be sure to do a
couple of weekends in the BC you select BEFORE you buy. Don't
do a "you can bring it back if you don't like it" deal.

Male, 6'5", 205, 55.

 

[MontereyCADiver]

Great question! I admire your openness, and willingness to learn through others' experiences.

As you know, we're all very different, and the water's temperature will affect each of us differently. Utlimately, however, we're all subject to losing valuable body-heat while diving here. Although I'd like to wear the 3-mil shorty you mentioned, I'm not likely to do so because I'd freeze.

For many years, I used a 6.5 mm one-piece suit with a built-in hood. It offered an excellent range of motion without feeling restricted. Even though the core of my body was covered with only one layer of neoprene unlike its two-piece cousins, I was comfortable because the built-in hood prevented that rush of water down my back. I liked the one-piece for another reason -- because there is less neoprene material in the one-piece compared to two-piece suits, I required less weight to sink.

Again, we're all different, and I encourage you to try different suits to fit your needs/desires.

I also think it's interesting that the people in this thread put their ht./wt. It shows great diversity. With that in mind... 44, 6-3", 230#.

Today, I dive dry in a DUI CLx450. Under the dry suit I usually wear a t-shirt, hiking shorts, a fleece pull-over sweat shirt, sweat pants, and thick socks. My undergarments are be less-conventional than others'; but, they work for me.

Oh, you'll get better. The more you dive, the easier it'll be. Like Chuck said, 'find a club'. You're likely to meet some good people that share the same interests.

Congrats on your new adventures!

 

[coreypenrose]

DUI FLX 50/50 with Polartec undergarment – Great Suit, great investment, love DUI drysuits.
DUI Hood – Been a great hood, but it’s really showing wear after a year and about 80 dives. Aquasealed together at this point and will probably replace with an Otter Bay Hood.
DUI Weight and Trim II with 34 lbs – a great way to haul the weight and will replace with another.
Oceanic Chute II BC – been a great BC, but starting to leak. Will probably replace with a Scubapro Knighthawk
Seasoft gloves – been great, no worries. Used to burn through a pair of gloves per year – even with aquasealed fingertips.
Zeagle Envoy Deluxe with an Oceanic computer – Been a great reg, no worries, don’t plan to let it go soon.
Blades Fins – Never a problem in Monterey, although I often find myself wishing for split fins in the Channel Islands due to stronger currents.

Male, 34 6-1 300