New diver/Equipment set up

[mcspud]

*DISCLAIMER* I have a really bad habit of dropping conjunctions and suffixes when I type, sorry =p ***
First of all, hola from Australia. I'm very new diving, having completed my open water and advanced PADI courses back to back only a few weeks ago. Let me add a disclaimer saying that I in no way consider myself an advanced diver, watching old hands and the way they move leaves me for dead very obviously.

Anyway, I loved every minute of my dive courses, except for the mask flood excersizes. But I got through my courses with relative ease and thoroughly enjoyed my diving experiences. Since that time I've been on only a further two dives due to time constraints, both times using the clubs equipment that I learnt to dive in. At my instructors behest though, I quickly looked at investing in my own gear, as it seemed both pragmatic and more versatile.

Before I started the course I brought my own mask fins snorkel wetty and boots, because I can always freedive if I don't have access to a scuba site.

The equipment I learnt to dive in is, as good as my near nonexistant observation skills go, is as follows:
---I own---
Tusa Visualator Mask
Tusa Platina II Hyperdry Snorkel
Tusa Tri-Ex Fins
Adrenalin Boots of some description
Nepture 2 piece 5ml wettie
---I hired---
Seaquest ProQD BCD (I think)
Titan Regulator (not sure about the occy)
Suunta Cobra Computer
12L Aluminium Tank

Thats it off the top of my head. I'm sure alot of the more experienced members will have their own opinions about this gear, the merits of steel vs aluminium etc. However, all I know is that to me the equipment felt sturdy, safe, and the worst problem I had was a very slight airleak at the first stage due to a slightly damaged O-ring that I didn't check.

My instructor recommended to me a BC that I ended up buying and testing today, The Seaquest Raider. I went and searched through these boards and their was a mixed consensus about it. However, I tried it on today, fiddled around with the weights for a while, and went for a pool swim, and wow, what a difference. The amount of control I felt I had compared to my jacket BCD was insane. Gliding a few cm from the bottom was almost effortless. So without trying it in the ocean, I'd say that I'm very happy with this piece of equipment. I don't know how exchange rates work in whatever country you're in, but I picked up the raider, brand new, for $499 AU. When it was released it retailed for around $1900, so I feel I've got a good deal. (and yes, I know the line was discontinued. It was their last one in stock, hence the cheap price)

So, now comes time to buy my computer and regs. I was talking to the owner of the franchise, and he seemed really enthusiastic about diving. I suggested to him I wanted a setup similar to this:

A low pressure inflator/alternate air source (does it have a special name?)
Wireless dive computer
Primary regulator

This means that I'd only have 2 hoses, my primary and my inflator hose that is strapped to my bcd anyway. Anyway, after chatting to him for a while he finally presented this to me:

Ex rental Titan Regulator (the same one I learnt on) ~ retails for $750 AU
Brand New low pressure inflator/alternate air source ~ retails $400 AU
Brand New Suunto D9 ~ Retails for $2650 AU

All for the price of $3000 AU.

Now, I was almost shocked that he'd basically be giving me the regulator for free, but as he said he loves diving and thats why his company has the monopoly on the West Coast, and that hes happy as long as he gets loyal customers and people keep diving. Also, as a side note, I work as a bouncer, so I feel I have a pretty good judge of people and when they're lying to me, and this guy just struck me as a really down to earth genuine guy.

Anyway, sorry for the exceptionally long winded post, but I'm wondering what other divers on here think about this deal. My biggest concern is that its overkill for a new diver, but by the same token I feel it sets me up for many many years, unless I get into tech diving, in which case the only thing i need is a bp + wing set up.

Thanks in advance for replies.

NB - The company I went through has a website here: http://www.perthdiving.com.au/

 

[fisherdvm]

All for $2700 US dollars? That seems alot.

 

[fisherdvm]

Sounds like you could ebay and get NEW equipment for less. The suunto 9 brand new on ebay is about $1100 with buy it now. Some of the dealers here on scubaboard will pricematch legitimate dealers on ebay. Do a little work on ebay, and phone work here, and you might find out he's ripping you off. I'll bet a few quick searches and you can get all the same gears brand new for less than $2700 US or 3K AU.

 

[almitywife]

like any busienss owner - they are 'enthusiastic' about thier industry

check out www.diveimports.com also - they in perth and even the Sydney guys buys stuff from them as they are cheaper inc delivery than sydney shops.

expect for the mask i dont use any of the gear you mention so goodluck and enjoy.

 

[loosebits]

Keep in mind I'm not a fan of air-integrated computers or octo-inflators but that's been beaten to death and if you are curious why many of us think they are not appropriate for diving (especially the octo-inflators), you don't need to look to hard; the threads are everywhere.

That being said, of the AI computers I've seen being used, more people seem to have problems with the D9 than others, specifically synch problems. I used to dive with a group from a LDS and three of them had D9's and I can't count the number of times I've been floating at the surface turning on and off their valves so they could get their D9 to synch up. Other AI computers including Uwatec's seem to have little or no problems.

Also, the D9 is an insanely expensive computer. I don't know how much an integrated digital compass (that will only stay on for a few seconds at a time) and seeing your air pressure on your wrist is worth to you but considering a fully loaded Vr3 costs about the same amount and for far less the Vytech has almost all the same capabilities, the D9 seems ridiculously overpriced. I imagine you're paying a premium for the watch form-factor. Personally, I'd just wear a watch if I want to tell the time out of the water and a dive computer if I want to track tissue loading; I don't need something that does both.

If I were you I'd spend a lot less on the computer, ditch the octo-inflator and get a good breathing reg. The Titan is a decent reg for the money but considering what you're spending on everything else, it seems really out of place. Try breathing off of a balanced reg such as an Apeks XTX50, a SP MK25 or an Aqualung Legend and you'll know why these regs cost so much more.

Btw, you can't tell the difference in diving with 2 hoses vs 4 or 5.

 

[Colliam7]

Welcome to diving and to SB. I love your enthusiasm and hope it will only grow with more diving. Gear purchases are always exciting, yet daunting, and many people have strong brands and model preferences. Sounds like you have taken an important first step with your BC purchase. I would further agree with Loosebits on several of points. 1. Spend your early money on a good reg. Your life depends on it. The brand is not terribly important (to me at least) as much as the quality level within the brand. You want something that will breath comfortably in all positions across a range of depths and temps. 2. While I like computers and one of mine (Vytec) is AI, I would hold off on a computer purchase for a while. A good cheap watch is a reasonable bottom timer to start with. AI is nice but expensive. I have experienced the syncing challenges that Loosebits mentions, and agree it is a frustrating distraction for a new diver still learning to control trim and buoyancy. I like AI but the SPG works just fine to start with. 3. I also agree about (not going with) the octo/inflator, but that is more Personal Preference based on what I started with. The extra hose won't make a lot of difference. But, I also dive with people who use a octo/inflator and they like it.

 

[Jon Johnston]

divers-supply.com
I got a new package deal which included:
Aeris XT BCD: +/-350.00
Dacor Darwin Air computer: +/- 750.00
Cressi Sub regulator: +/- 350.00
Cressi Sub octo: +/- 250.00
I got all this for a combo price w/ full factory warranties for 900.00 and some change. I have used it at least once a week for the last month and it is great. I don't think you will find a better bang for the buck. All prices are U.S.

 

[halocline]

I would agree that the octo/inflator and especially wireless AI computer are not the smartest purchases for a new diver. If the U.S. dollar is about 90% of the AU dollar, which I gather from these posts, then the prices you're quoting are very high. Maybe there's an australian import duty? I would expect to pay around $300 for a titan (or similar mid-level quality reg) and maybe $150 for a octo/inflator like the Air 2, and think about $300-400 for a decent simple wrist computer, and another $75 for a simple SPG on a 24" hose. That totals around $800 US.

Welcome to diving; it's a great sport, but don't get too hung up on the gear....I disagree with the post that encouraged you to buy a high-end reg like an apeks or MK25; while they are excellent regs, as a new diver you will probably not even notice any difference whatsoever between them and a well tuned medium performance reg.

 

[loosebits]

I disagree with the post that encouraged you to buy a high-end reg like an apeks or MK25; while they are excellent regs, as a new diver you will probably not even notice any difference whatsoever between them and a well tuned medium performance reg.

I suggested the high-end reg due to what he was planning on spending on a D9. Regardless, I still think a high-end reg is appropriate for any type of diving. Most divers will be seeing 100' depths within a year or two of their certification and it is so much more pleasurable breathing through a good balanced reg than an entry level reg. Besides, a regulator should last him for his entire diving career. There is no reason not to get something that breathes well.

 

[Colliam7]

>>Most divers will be seeing 100' depths within a year or two of their certification and it is so much more pleasurable breathing through a good balanced reg than an entry level reg. Besides, a regulator should last him for his entire diving career. There is no reason not to get something that breathes well.<<

Very well said! Statements of this type are at times unfortunately and incorrectly mistaken for 'commercial' for a LDS or a manufacturer. But, it is oh so true. Most divers who are bitten by the diving bug will go to the 100' - 120' range and having a reg that breathes free and easy is just a delight. The brand is not so criticial, but having a medium to high end reg is really a better investment even for a newer diver. If you are serious enough to buy a reg, buy a good one.