My first gear purchases

[southernblue]

G'day all, i am booked in for my OWC in Jan 07.

I am looking around at the moment for gear to get me diving.

I am thinking of getting a Mares Isotherm, or a locally made 7mm for diving here in Melb, oz in the cooler waters, average temp 12-15 degrees c in the cooler months.

Can you advise me of some good 1st and second stages regs that will last me for a few years, as i dont want to skimp and have to upgrade later, also fins, bcd, to get me under bagging these big scallops we have in the bay.

It's a bit hard finding good opinions here in oz, the only decent forum i found wants me to change my security settings to sign up:nonot likely.

Thanks in advance for any replies, i know its a pretty broad question, but any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[H2Andy]

hmm... well, as to regs, you really can't go wrong with the top of the line models from Apeks, Atomic, ScubaPro, Zeagle, and Poseidon.

You should buy a reg that you can service nearby; that should be your deciding factor (i.e. who around you services what).

also, for diving in the cold, an environmetally sealed reg will be a bonus (but i don't dive in cold water, so i'll pass on any specific advice)

as for the rest of the equipment, any reputable manufacturer will serve you well (Mares, Aeris, Sherwood, etc.)

 

[southernblue]

:14: Thanks H2Andy, i will look at the apeks and check for easy service in my area.

I am happy to pay a little extra for quality in a product if it gives me the confidence while under.

 

[IwakuniDiver]

A quick word on fins and masks though.

Try BEFORE you buy! Out here in Japan, we are pretty much forced to shop online for our gear since markups in excess of 100% are not uncommon here at local dive shops. Because of this, I see many people buying 2 or three masks a year trying to find one that seals on their face properly and fins that match their kicking style.

I'm with Andy as far as regs and BCD's go but I still like my Oceanic Delta 3.

Cheers and good luck with your OW class!

Scott

 

[*Floater*]

G'day all, i am booked in for my OWC in Jan 07.

I am looking around at the moment for gear to get me diving.

I am thinking of getting a Mares Isotherm, or a locally made 7mm for diving here in Melb, oz in the cooler waters, average temp 12-15 degrees c in the cooler months.

Can you advise me of some good 1st and second stages regs that will last me for a few years, as i dont want to skimp and have to upgrade later, also fins, bcd, to get me under bagging these big scallops we have in the bay.

It's a bit hard finding good opinions here in oz, the only decent forum i found wants me to change my security settings to sign up:nonot likely.

Thanks in advance for any replies, i know its a pretty broad question, but any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

For 12-15 c temps I would use a drysuit.

 

[Tigerman]

G'day all, i am booked in for my OWC in Jan 07.

I am looking around at the moment for gear to get me diving.

I am thinking of getting a Mares Isotherm, or a locally made 7mm for diving here in Melb, oz in the cooler waters, average temp 12-15 degrees c in the cooler months.

Can you advise me of some good 1st and second stages regs that will last me for a few years, as i dont want to skimp and have to upgrade later, also fins, bcd, to get me under bagging these big scallops we have in the bay.

It's a bit hard finding good opinions here in oz, the only decent forum i found wants me to change my security settings to sign up:nonot likely.

Thanks in advance for any replies, i know its a pretty broad question, but any help is appreciated.

Thanks.

As far as suit goes, im with *Floater*. Get a drysuit if you plan to dive that cold. I have been diving in 15 degrees c water with a 7mm wetsuit and its not very nice when you get out of the water and take it off. Its not a big problem while in the water but taking it off and particulary if youre going to do a 2nd dive its damn cold putting it back on..
Ive used a DUI suit which is supposedly great suits, but actually didnt have the best experience with it. I bought a BARE CD4 ProDry suit, which cost maybe the half of the DUI suit and im very, very happy with it.
As far as BC goes, I think you should try different brands, models and types before buying.
When it comes to regulators, you should probably talk to your instructor/LDS about it, as they should be able to give you some advice. Personally I ended up with Coltrisub BCD and regulators.

 

[mudhole]

You have someone good,to listen to that wants you to start with a wetsuit, as a beginner you'll have enough things to think about without the learning curve of a dry suit. To add to the comfort consider a vest to wear under the suit, or a vest with a hood attached. Don't worry about the rest of the gear until you have more experience. Your class regulator will get you off to a good start. The class BC will be a starting point and renting other brands or styles of BC will let you get a comfortable fit only with experience. Any of the major brands of regulators will serve you for many years, local service will be the important choice. For the first dozen dives you will be able to decide on comfort in Fins, as well as seeing if you can keep up with your dive partners. Don't be in too great a hurry to buy equipment if rental equipment is available. Spend your time hunting those big scallops. . . This activity and depth and current may make you change your mind on what works best.

Go to the top of the page and click on Forums / Regional travel / Australia & Pacific. . .You may find some friends close to you. They can really help you with questions about local equipment prefferences. But remember us here. . . We all want you to enjoy diving, and answer our questions about local diving if we can get over there.....................................

 

[typeA]

Get a drysuit if you can afford it, but I've been diving here in California in 50F water (10 deg C) and it's not bad. For the surface interval I keep the farmer john bottom on and take off the jacket. It's a bit chilly putting it back on, but only for a second until my body warms it back up. I paid $50 for a used wetsuit, I'll buy a drysuit later on when I can afford it, but I'd rather dive wet now than not at all.

 

[Tigerman]

You have someone good,to listen to that wants you to start with a wetsuit, as a beginner you'll have enough things to think about without the learning curve of a dry suit. To add to the comfort consider a vest to wear under the suit, or a vest with a hood attached. Don't worry about the rest of the gear until you have more experience. Your class regulator will get you off to a good start. The class BC will be a starting point and renting other brands or styles of BC will let you get a comfortable fit only with experience. Any of the major brands of regulators will serve you for many years, local service will be the important choice. For the first dozen dives you will be able to decide on comfort in Fins, as well as seeing if you can keep up with your dive partners. Don't be in too great a hurry to buy equipment if rental equipment is available. Spend your time hunting those big scallops. . . This activity and depth and current may make you change your mind on what works best.

Go to the top of the page and click on Forums / Regional travel / Australia & Pacific. . .You may find some friends close to you. They can really help you with questions about local equipment prefferences. But remember us here. . . We all want you to enjoy diving, and answer our questions about local diving if we can get over there.....................................

Problem is that if you plan to do your diving in 10-12 degrees celcius water (50-53 fahrenheit), you might not be diving very much.
Also, I find it a lot easier to control bouyancy in a drysuit than in a wetsuit.
If you plan to dive cold, you shouldnt plan to get wet..

 

[shark_tamer]

Can you advise me of some good 1st and second stages regs that will last me for a few years, as i dont want to skimp and have to upgrade later

Thanks.

I went the extra dollar and bought an Oeanic Delta 4 reg and FDX-10 DVT 1st stage

.... everybody tells me this could me the first and last reg I bought .... I'm 50