New diver – should I buy a computer or other gear first?

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First I bought my wetsuit. Personal item that I wanted a great fit on.

The second thing I bought was my reg, and gotta admit I'm glad I did that because:
as it's mine, I'll know when it been serviced, what use it has been through and its a very personal item. Plus the AquaLung deal I couldn't pass up. And it breaths a hellava lot easier than the rentals I did use.

Third was my BCD, because then again it's a person item and wanted a great fit that I felt comfortable diving in. And after trying alot of different models on went with a Balance as I didnt like the typical jacket feel with the cumberbun and all the pockets.

Next purchase is a hoseless computer but that will be later after I know the dive table alot more than I already do.

But like one of the previos posters said dont go all out till you know you can dive to a depth, we had some people in our class that had a very hard time getting just to 35+ feet and I doubt they'll be back for anymore diving.
 
Typically I would recommend buying a wetsuit first, because a well fitting suit will make the most noticable improvement in your diving comfort, and is the most problematic to rent. In this case, since you're going to Cozumel in the summer, the water temp will be 84 or warmer, and you need to decide whether that means a full suit or a shorty. I would say probably 60% of the divers I see in Cozumel year wear 3 mm full suits year round, but I really prefer a shorty in the summer. Shorty suits are a lot cheaper and easier to fit as well, so you would stand a better chance of getting one online; I spent $40 for a good one from a place that deals in close outs of all sorts of outdoor equipment. If you get cold easily and want a full 3mm suit, it's definitely worth buying it locally to get it to fit. Fit is by far the most important thing about a wetsuit's performance, much more so than features or fabric.

If you end up in a shorty, remember that you'll still need a full suit someday unless you're planning on limiting your diving to really warm water.

Many, many divers in Cozumel rent regs with computers on the console, so I would see no need to buy a computer at this time. If you do that, try to get the same one for your trip so that it tracks your N2 loading throughout the week. If you take a day off from diving, you can go to a different computer. The most important thing would be to use the same computer for a complete day; i.e no diving in the morning with one computer and in the afternoon with a dfferent one. Although the idea about using tables has some merit at least theoretically, there are a few practical reasons to use a computer in Cozumel. One, and this is important IMO, a computer will give you an accurate and immediate ascent rate indicator. You're going to find that controlling your buoyancy in blue water with a current is a whole new challenge, and the computer can help you, especially in situations like holding a 15 ft safety stop when you have no immediate reference for your depth. Another thing is that you'll be diving in a group in which most others will be using a computer. The typical Cozumel dive profile is multilevel, often these profiles violate PADI tables. A very typical 1st dive would include a maximum depth of 70-80ft, then usually a slow ascent to 50-60, then 30-40, then a stop, with a bottom time of an hour or so. After an hour SI, a common 2nd dive would be an hour BT at a max depth of 50 ft, usually leveling off at 35-40 ft for the latter part of the dive. Run those profiles on the PADI tables and see what you get! Sooo....if you're diving tables, you end up with a choice; violate the table or leave the group, neither of which is a good option. You could request, and probably receive, a separate DM to dive table-friendly profiles, a an extra cost for less bottom time. You could also buy the PADI wheel and plan your dives, but overall in this situation it's easier and overall safer IMO to just use a computer. Save your table diving for situations in which A) you can dive square profiles and B) you're not in a group with a leader that's building the profile around a computer's ability to process multi level dives.

If you want to buy a computer, and you want to go cheap, try to find a used (or new if you can find one) Aeris atmos 1, but don't spend more than $100 for it. I can already feel the flames of everyone saying it's crazy to buy an air-only computer, and if you can afford a nitrox computer, fine, but you did say "budget" and there are lots of decisions to make about a computer that you might not be ready to make. Finding the cheap atmos 1 will get you through this trip and several more for a very low price, at which time you may be ready to learn nitrox and you'll have the experience you need to buy the computer that's right for you. There's a huge difference in some computer algorithms, so it is a decision worth waiting to make.
 
I finished my OW and bought everything. I am now replacing most of it because I didn't know what I was buying. I had not yet joined the board and had the experience here to give me advice. Buy a spare mouthpiece and put it on your rental. Quick, cheap and clean. Renting allows you to use different equipment and helps you decide what you like and what you don't.
 
My first purchase was a regulator. The BCD came later and the wetsuit even later still. Other than once when I used my kid's regulator to see how I liked it, I have used only my regulator since I bought it. I got it largely for hygenic reasons, but also because it was my "lifeline" to air. However, of all the regulator failures I've heard of, they are evenly split between rental and personal regulators. The downside to buying a regulator is the yearly service.

As to the BCD, with only minor exceptions at the very high end, if you've worn one BCD, you've worn them all. Having my own BCD is cost effective as compared to having to rent, but in many places the BCD (and wetsuit) is part of the dive package. However, when I travel, I don't always bring it with as washing and drying it can be a pain.

The same goes for the wetsuit. To cover all conditions, you will need several. I know it is gross to think about wearing a wet suit someone else has worn and probably peed in. However, I almost never bring a wetsuit with me when I travel. First, I'd probably bring the wrong one. Second, a wetsuit is bulky and stays wet forever, which could make packing awkward.
 
Have to say that I recommend that the first piece of equipment my students purchase is a regulator. Regarding a nice, moderately priced computer, I highly recommend the Suunto Gekko.
 
After mask, fins, snorkel, and wetsuit a computer was my first purchase. I was happy doing things this way, here's why:

My first dive trip was to Tonga. They put a computer in the rental console. We did a lot of multilevel diving and invariably if I'd followed the tables with 0:45-1:00 surface intervals, I'd be into decompression diving. Of course, I was no where near that.

Before my next trip, I bought my own since the operators didn't rent them. Maybe I didn't "need" one since they planned their dives according to tables and dove more square-like profiles.

So, talk to your op in Cozumel. Find out if they rent them, recommend them, or if you are likely to reap any advantage with them. They are cheap (<$300 for something decent) and easily packed. You also get a record of the dive, which is nice if you are a gadget freak like me.

On the other hand, having my own BC (and reg to some extent) made a marked difference in my comfort level while diving.
 
WOW!

Thanks for all of the detailed replies – I am amazed at the level of assistance you guys (and girls) offer!!

Based on what you have all said, I am going to get fitted for a wetsuit at my LDS and buy a regulator before my trip. Depending on how much my LDC can come down on the price, I may buy the regulator online at http://www.leisurepro.com. My instructor showed me the ScubaPro MK25AF/S600 Classic Regulator

Link:
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CategoryID_1159/Sort_Brand/DescSort_0/SCPM25S60C.html?Hit=1

Any recommendations for or against this regulator? And is it worth spending almost $250.00 more go get it from my LDS (I am going to ask them if they are willing to come down on the cost)?

Thanks!

-Curtis
 
If you get a Scubapro reg from LP, you will not get the manufacturer warrenty, or the free parts at annual service. Ask your LDS how much they will charge for the parts each year (assuming they will service it) then do the math. (Better yet, get a friend to call them and ask so you don't take a chance on pissing them off just yet.)

Your LDS will not have much flexibility in the price of Scubapro gear. They can get around this somewhat if you buy a package of stuff that includes brands they can discount.
 
I'm mostly going to refer to your upcoming trip and camera, but as to your potential equipment purchase, I would strongly suggest you rent your gear until your sure you want to continue to dive and what type of diving you want to do or you will end up spending money on the wrong gear. This will also allow you to try on different brands through your rentals in real life use. Also make sure what type of gear your vacation dive shop will be renting to you and ask them how they maintain it, age, brands, etc. They may not be truthful but it will give you a feel for what you can expect and check with the board for others who have used them.

Bluebubble.com web site and Roberta@robertasdivecozumel.com e mail I've used them the last 3 trips I've taken to Cozumel after using other shops and like them for their service and help. Roberta also makes home made bread/cookies for you to eat between dives. E mail her and ask any questions you have but if she doesn't answer within 24 hours resend it as the email service is iffy sometimes.

Cozumel is all drift diving with some pretty strong currents at times. Unless you have great control, taking pictures may be tough at times but I can't imagine diving without taking pictures anymore. I started with digital video and then to video. Cannon digital powershot takes great pictures and a case can be bought for around $150 and you don't have a camera that's diving specific. Unless you plan on blowing up your pictures tremendously you don't need anything above 3 megapixels. Make sure you get a red filter or all your pictures below 10' will lack most colors and the filter can be bought for about $40.

Just my opinion, but I hope you have a great time and take what you think fits your situation best from everyon'es comments. Most comments are from all the mistakes we've already made and don't want to see other people make the same.
 

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