New Diver want to know what is the best scuba package for beginners

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acaba94

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Plantation, Florida, United States
Hi my name is Andres Caballero, I am going to be new to diving I will be certified on August 3rd. I have been looking at scuba packages from Divers Direct and Leisurepro. The one that has caught my attention is the Aqualung Essentials Scuba Package because it includes everything. What do you guys think? Are there any other packages that are in the $950 or less that also include a dive computer?
 
Honestly, before settling on the BCD, try and goto a LDS and try out different ones. I had to use jacket BCDs a few times and the fit just wasn't comfortable for me (I am rather tall) so went to Back Inflate and then finally BP/W. Not saying goto a BP/W, just try out the various BCDs etc to know your options and make an informed choice.

As far as the computer, many people like the Zoop, and its all personal choice.

As far as Aqualung regs, never dove them really. I have Atomics personally that I like. Other people like the Scuba Pros, Dive Rites, Apeks, Hollis and even Hog/Edge.
 
My first set of regs were titan/abs combo. it was fine for the diving i was doing at the time. i would second the suggestion of trying as many different types and brand of bc as possible before deciding on which one to buy. Try out as much kit as you can before you settle on what to buy. I bought everything shortly after being certified. The amount of it I replaced less than one year later: 95%. I think the only 2 bits of original kit i still own are my 2mm shorty and aqualung blade fins. Neither has seen any use besides the occassional dip in the pool for 2+years. They more than likely won't see any use for a long time, but i've kept them in case i go somewhere nice and warm.
 
Nothing personal but since you live like what 5 miles from the main Divers Direct store, I can't see why you'd even consider LeisurePro in this instance. I live in Phoenix and I make it a point to go there anytime we fly thru FLL.

What I like about that package is it's all Aqualung. So service can all be done at one place at the same time. If you buy a reg with 2 different brand octo's for example, now you have to find a dealer who can do both. With DD nearby that's less of an issue for you.

I have a Gekko which is the prior model of the Zoop (same computer just now it's easily downloadable) and I really like it, it's easy to read, the alarms are loud, it has water activation and a 3min. safety stop timer. My last one didn't and I thought - I'll never use this...now I find myself working to keep within 15-19' for 3 minutes while it works.

If there was one downside it's that the package is a jacket BCD. Jackets are comfortable, probably what you'll be diving with in class but talk to your instructor about them also. Many people start out in jackets but switch to something back-inflate when they buy gear. They're less cumbersome and often are easier to dive with. They won't float you as upright as a jacket will - which is why you mostly see jackets as rentals at resorts - that and they're often lower priced/entry level models. Nice thing about a back-inflate BC is you have much less in front of you.

You at least owe it to yourself to try something back-inflate. Zeagle makes a lot of good models, they're also in Zephyr Hills (near Orlando) if you ever needed anything. Divers Direct is also a Zeagle dealer, last time there they had most of their line on a rack in the store. I've never seen that many Zeagle models anywhere else. And other mfr's back inflate models also.

My best advice is don't buy anything yet. There's always posts here - often new gear for sale cheap - from people who bought gear before their class then failed to get certified. You could have an unknown medical problem, not like it, not like breathing underwater thru your mouth, not like diving in the ocean etc. A small percentage of divers also fail certification classes for any number of reasons regularly.

I knew I was going to like diving, had been swimming/snorkeling in the ocean for years. Yet I waited till after I had my card before I bought gear.

Also it's useful to talk to other divers about what they own and why. In your local area there may be an optimal configuration that works the best for that type of diving. Given that you live in SoFl, some of the environmental things, buoyant wetsuits, heavy weights to compensate for, etc. are a non-issue for you locally. As is travel sizing unless you plan to do a lot of that. In which case there's travel BC's and quasi-travel BC's that are better options. An Aqualung Jacket doesn't pack particularly small.
 
there are also several local shops that offer deals/packages and will help you find what will work for you the best.. depending on where you are getting your cert they may offer a good deal.

i would also really really really suggest that you try and rent different gear before you purchase... i like back inflate myself but others like jacket or bp/w -- GOLD COAST, diver's cove, force-e, dixie divers --- all good shops and all have good deals or will work with you. Atomic is popular around here for regs.. BC? Aeris, Hollis, Aqualung, Zeagle, are a few i see a lot. try before you buy...

whichever dive comp you end up with --- make sure nitrox compatible, and the safety stop timer are good options.. i like being able to dl mine as well since i prefer the computer logs over the paper.


the only things i will say you have to buy would be a good cutting device such as shears & an SMB.


also some shops give deals on classes or a free dive trip with a significant gear purchase... but again... wait and try before you buy.

you can also head over to datura and ask anybody diving there at the time why they like what they got.
 
The one that has caught my attention is the Aqualung Essentials Scuba Package because it includes everything. What do you guys think? Are there any other packages that are in the $950 or less that also include a dive computer?
Three thoughts:

1. The gear is the package is 'OK', nothing necessarily wrong with it. I use essentially the same BCD (but, not weight-integrated) for pool work and it is acceptable. Personally, I wouldn't buy it, because (among other reasons):
a. I prefer a back-inflate BCD (in fact I prefer a backplate)
b. I prefer a better alternate second stage - my primary and my alternate are identical. I do not like Aqualung ABS octo (or the equivalent Apeks Egress) - I have used one and it is not my preference at all. I breath from my back-up second stage while diving, so I can hand a 'known to be working' second stage to an OOA diver. I then go to my primary and I want that one fully functional.
c. I do not care for a gauge console - I prefer a wrist-mounted computer, and a SPG (only) on a hose.
d. I do not buy 'packages' - you seldom get what you ultimately will want in a package.

2. The overall price is actually high, at least for what you get.

3. I agree with several others - hold off for right now. Try some different gear. You don't need to rush into the purchase.
 
thank you everybody! But what are some places that I can rent different kind of gear?

You can rent gear in lots of places in Florida. If you Googled scuba in your area, I bet you find 30 places withing a reasonable distance from you.
 
Leisure pro...
Has a build your own package option.
I built my basic kit with better gear than the generic kits they offer.
You choose that option and build the kit, it is submitted for review and within 24 hours you get the discounted option.
In my case it saved me $35 on the package and my gf almost $55
I imagine you could save a good bit with building a scuba package and then get all of the particular gear you like rather than settling with the predetermined gear of their "package".
 
thank you. what octopus should i select though

---------- Post added June 12th, 2013 at 08:43 PM ----------

Leisure pro...
Has a build your own package option.
I built my basic kit with better gear than the generic kits they offer.
You choose that option and build the kit, it is submitted for review and within 24 hours you get the discounted option.
In my case it saved me $35 on the package and my gf almost $55
I imagine you could save a good bit with building a scuba package and then get all of the particular gear you like rather than settling with the predetermined gear of their "package".

what octopus should i select though
 

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