New and seeking advise

[atlantadiver]

I am new to diving and looking to get some equipment. I wanted to see if anyone had any equipment buying advise based on their experience. I would really like to know if there are certain things you would do differently(buy or not buy, different options, etc) if you had it to do all over again. Any advice or recomendations will be greatly apperciated.

 

[H2Andy]

hi and welcome aboard!

i split your question here to get you some good info.

 

[glbirch]

I am new to diving and looking to get some equipment. I wanted to see if anyone had any equipment buying advise based on their experience. I would really like to know if there are certain things you would do differently(buy or not buy, different options, etc) if you had it to do all over again. Any advice or recomendations will be greatly apperciated.

Pretty big question. If I had to do it all over again, and we are assuming I knew then what I know now, I wouldn't have bought almost any of the gear that I did (except for the second-hand reg a friend sold me.) But it all seemed like what I wanted at the time. Without getting into detail the two recommendations that come to mind are 1) beg, borrow or steal (just kidding) all the dive gear you can, so that you can get a feel for what you like and what works for you and fits the best. Many dive shops will let you borrow gear to try. And 2) don't go overboard on the spending because if you really get in to the sport you'll probably want to upgrade or change gear in a few years anyway.

Other than that, think about what kind of diving you are doing or plan to do. If you're planning on doing all your diving in the Caribbean you likely don't need a high-performance cold water regulator for example.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

I am new to diving and looking to get some equipment. I wanted to see if anyone had any equipment buying advise based on their experience. I would really like to know if there are certain things you would do differently(buy or not buy, different options, etc) if you had it to do all over again. Any advice or recomendations will be greatly apperciated.

Trying gear in a pool is rather meaningless unless you wear all of the gear you usually wear (including exposure protection) and you try the gear several times for 30,45,60 minutes each time.

My suggestion is that before you buy, rent/borrow as many
different models and brands as possible and dive them. This will help reduce the amount of gear you buy and then wish you had not.

Most dive gear looks cool on the wall and that's it.

Some works well in the pool and that's it.

Even less works well in OW for your purposes.

Fewer still is the gear that works well and you can find no fault with it after half-a-dozen dives.

Spending a little money now on good research will save you a boat-load on wasted purchases.

 

[DeputyDan]

One comment I would make on gear is to get a BC with an integrated weight system.

Much better than a weight belt - IMHO!

 

[theskull]

Previous advice is all good. I add:
1. Don't cheap out. When you do buy, buy what you want and get the better or the best model. You're more likely to be happy with it, you're more likely to get a LOT of wear out of it, and you're more likely to be able to resell it if you do change your mind later.
2. Find a couple mentors (not on-line). Find a couple good local divers with whom you can dive, borrow gear from, and discuss diving and gear with. Find a good local dive shop or an instructor with whom you would like to take additional training, and get their opinions and insight as well.

Sure, throw out your questions here on the internet and compare our answers as well, but don't forget that you don't know any of us, and we all have our own preferences, prejudices, and sometimes even agendas. Except for me, of course, my opinions are right!

theskull

 

[Quarrior]

I am new to diving and looking to get some equipment. I wanted to see if anyone had any equipment buying advise based on their experience. I would really like to know if there are certain things you would do differently(buy or not buy, different options, etc) if you had it to do all over again. Any advice or recomendations will be greatly apperciated.

Welcome to the board. Hope you enjoy diving as much as I do.

I make this post a lot in response to the same questions you've asked here. Some day someone is going to tell me to knock it off, but until then, .....

Anyway, I wrote the below thread a while back and you might find it useful.

http://www.scubaboard.com/t57930.html

Your choice.