My Apologies - Another Gear Thread...

[CuriousRambler]

I saw the Starter Tech Gear thread and got excited, but it's not quite the same question set I've got :depressed:

I've got the beginnings to "tech" gear, but I'm looking at the more expensive stuff and beyond the basic required gear for diving, like a BC and wetsuit for instance. My downfall is that I've got a pretty limited income that I know several of you on the board can attest to - the military doesn't enjoy giving you money. Because of this I definitely will not be able to just outright buy almost anything else for dive gear without saving a little bit of at least a few paychecks to make it work, and even then I'll be piecing things together.

The point of the thread is to ask your experiences in purchasing tech gear and how smoothly that went with your transition from 'rec' to 'tech' - i.e. did you have to replace high-price items of your rec rig to work with tec gear? In retrospect, would you have purchased different equipment, or purchased equipment in a different order? What worked for each of you and what would you do differently if you had a second run at acquiring your rig from the ground up?

I'm thinking about piecing together some Al80 doubles for diving wet so I can get a feel for doubles on the shallower recreational dives I'm doing now, and later break them down into stage/deco bottles, re-use the manifold and, if possible, the bands as well. Basically I'm looking for the most cost-effective way to get a start on tech gear, while realizing that tech gear is inherently expensive...

 

[Bismark]

The easiest thing to do for you at this point is use OPM (other peoples money) to try different things before committing yourself to something particular. Find some local tech divers, ask questions, tell them what you want to know and most likely they will offer various bits and pieces for you to try. We do that here all the time. That way you can get your feet wet so to speak and wouldn't spend your hard earned money you make defending your country until you knew what you wanted for sure. If you lived in my neck of the woods we would outfit you from head to toe and let you try a myriad of different pieces of equipment until you found what you wanted. We do that all the time. Nobody did that for me and I spent litterally thousands of extra dollars that would now be in my bank account trying to sort out what I wanted or needed. I would bet money that some local tech divers would do the same thing. We are generous types............ Thanks for your service by the way. I also hear your Grizzly population in Montana has made a remarkable comeback. Most excellent.

 

[Bismark]

Also, if you buy right at the start, you will not have to re-purchase a single thing. You can simply add to your gear as you go.

For example, buy an Apeks DS-4 with an XTX 50 for your single rig and you will only need another of the same and some different hoses to set up your doubles. Buy a BP/W with a single wing and you will only need to add a doubles wing. Can light works for both. Buy a single AL 80 and add another one with bands and manifolds later. If you end up likeing different regs later and decide you need steel tanks, you can use your AL 80 for a stage bottle and your DS-4 and XTX 50 for a deco reg. BTW, I just picked these manufacturers but other companies will also work. Remember the "OPM" thing. Try before you buy. Thanks to Doc Intrepid for that piece of advice.

 

[rjack321]

Rather than immediately diving into what you "should have" (with much wrangling). How about we start with what you already have?

Oh and where are you in California? That will help on the loaner/try out end of things.

 

[CuriousRambler]

I've got a little bit of a start on my gear - I've got a Halcyon Eclipse singles wing, an Al80, I'm picking up some Salvo regs that I'm going to put on a long hose configuration (traditional "recreational" set up regs really don't work very well at all with a BP/W I've discovered..), I'm debating on keeping or selling my Oceanic regs, most likely sell them to my buddy just to keep a certain level of uniformity in the equipment I do have..

Thanks for the advice on trying to meet up with other people, I'll get a little more serious about looking for other buddies. So far I've just been working on basic skills on simple dives with my equally as noob buddy so I can hopefully avoid embarrassing myself diving with people who really know what they're doing

Edit: Posted while I was typing, rjack. I'm in Twentynine Palms, but I try to spend as many weekends as possible in San Diego. I've been spotted around OC and LA more than once, as well. Twentynine Palms is in the middle of friggin' NOWHERE, but it's also in the middle of everything, about 2 hours from SD, LA, OC, Vegas, and a number of other moderately interesting places

 

[Bismark]

USMC?

So you definitely do have a good start. Lots of diving in San Diego. Give Marc Hall a call (get his email from the GUE instructors List) He is always looking for a reason to dive and a great guy. He can also show you how the gear you have can work. He is well connected with the tech crew in SD.

You are not going to need a lot more gear if you already have a drysuit. If you can't reach Marc, PM me and I will get you in touch with him.

 

[rjack321]

Hey you're off to a decent start. I would keep the oceanics. They are fine for lots of stuff including deco bottles, inflation/argon, and single tanks. The 80 is ok, although a bit small. I think you'll find yourself outgrowing that fast. But doubles 80s in SoCal aren't too bad since you can get away with moderate drysuit undies.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

You have the right idea with uniformity, I started to collect mk17's w/s600's for my primary regs and ended up getting all mk17's for stage, pony, etc with the exception of the mk2+ on my 100% deco gas bottle. I like having all the same regs, they are easy to identify as mine when on a crowded boat, I only have to find a couple different parts for servicing my regs myself, etc.

people will claim that having all your regs match can cause issues with doing gas switches but if you properly perform your switch by identifying the mix you wont have any issues.

Halcyon makes great stuff, they dont make the best for everything but there gear is top notch. keep in mind companies like scubapro, dive rite, OMS, salvo, and oxycheq.


Aluminum 80's are the universal el-cheapo tank and make great beginner sets of doubles and great stages. about the only thing I found I dont like using an 80 for is sidemount primary tanks but they pretty much work for anything.

your off to a good start. stay away from tank bangers, jacket BCD's, big knives on your legs, and yoke regs.

 

[TSandM]

As everybody else has said, you're off to a good start. You won't need to replace your backplate; you will eventually need a doubles wing. A canister light is a canister light, rec or tech; you'll want good backup lights eventually, but they aren't that expensive.

You're doing better than I did. I replaced all the gear I bought except my regulator and drysuit within six months of buying it all!

Second the recommendation of getting hold of Marc Hall. He's a very nice man.

 

[Rileybri]

This is a great thread and good aformation for a diver who just gave up his BCD for a DR SS BP and Oxy Cheq Mach V wing! However I am still using my Cressi reg until I can pick up a MK17 and 2 2S395 or S255v's for a long hose short rig. What I don't understand is this statement by the original poster

I'm picking up some Salvo regs that I'm going to put on a long hose configuration (traditional "recreational" set up regs really don't work very well at all with a BP/W I've discovered..)

My Cressi works great on my BP/W, or does it? I am new to my BP/W so clarification on something I am possible missing would be great.

cheers,

Brian D.