New equipment selection

[tdwilson67]

I was recently certified (last weekend) and loved it so I plan on investing in my own equipment. For a new diver who will mainly be recreational in local fresh water lakes as well as tropics what does anyone recommend. Budget isn't my main concern as safety and quality. I know I want BC / Regulator / Computer. HELP!!

 

[dalelynnsims]

Hi there

As an instructor I always advise my students to try before you buy. Scuba equipment is a costly expense and renting is an easy to see what works best for you before you shell out all the money. Many shops will give you a discount or discount the price of the rental gear if you decide to purchase from them. YMMV but that is practice in the shops I work with. Just like diving, don’t rush it or your pocket book may hyperventilate.

Best Fishes!! <;///><

 

[zackalack8999]

As for a BC, everyone seems to push Backplage/Wing setups (halcyon, dive rite, oms, DSS, etc). Everyone on this board pushes the DSS rigs, and if you are getting into single tank diving, Tobin can get you a great single tank setup for <$500. This will also allow you to upgrade to doubles in the future with only a purchase of a doubles wing. As for regulators, Atomic, Dive Rite, Apeks, and Scubapro are all great brands, and you will hear consistently you can't really go wrong with any of them. Computer is a little bit more difficult, because it really depends on whether or not you plan to get into tech. diving later on, in which they mainly rely on tables/ bottom timers. Also, it depends on the price range.

 

[PePaw]

Just take your time to decide. Buy the best gear you can afford and buy it once. Nothing more expensive than having to buy your kit twice.

That said, I dive a SeaQuest Balance, AquaLung Titan LX regs and Suunto Computer.
I'm happy with my choice.

 

[Igodeep]

Everyone does push backplate and wing, but it is not right for everyone. I fear that we are all becoming GUE when we profess to every new diver that they need a backplate and wing! I would suggest that you find some dive buddies in your area, rent gear, dive with them and ask around. Gear choices are totally subjective becuase what works for me may not be right for you. I do agree that you cannot go wrong with Atomic, Apeks, Dive Rite or Scubapro. They are all great regs. I personally prefer the Atomics. Good luck in your search for new equipment.

 

[DiveMaven]

Can't go wrong with Zeagle BCs or regs either.

 

[Splitlip]

Everyone does push backplate and wing, but it is not right for everyone. I fear that we are all becoming GUE when we profess to every new diver that they need a backplate and wing! I would suggest that you find some dive buddies in your area, rent gear, dive with them and ask around. Gear choices are totally subjective becuase what works for me may not be right for you. I do agree that you cannot go wrong with Atomic, Apeks, Dive Rite or Scubapro. They are all great regs. I personally prefer the Atomics. Good luck in your search for new equipment.

There seem to be more people pushing BP/W's on this board than diving them in the mainstream.
A backplate works for me, but it is not a gotta have for everybody. Take your time and try as many BCD's as you can before purchasing.

Don't get caught up in this frenzy some promote on this board.
"You must have a 7 ft hose, you must have a bungied back up, you must not use an alternate/inflator, you must not dive bungied wings, you must not use split fins, you must show me your papers......"

 

[cdennyb]

I agree for the most part with splitlip. I too do NOT dive caves, therefor I don't think a 7' hose is required...although I do have a DIN reg setup with a 48" long hose on it as a primary reg. I think a bungied backup around your neck is cetainly a good thing, compared to a clipped off mouthpiece covered backup reg stowed where it takes a while to get loose. Bungied wings are a man killer...although OMS has a rather indepth instruction list to properly (?) adjust the cords. If you're at depth the cords could be too tight for you to orally inflate the wing, now what?... I never tried split fins, still have my old jets, they work great for me. I do dive a computer (Oh MY God!!!) but use it to log dives, not decompress from 300 feet!
The wing is great in my opinion, as opposed to the BC like Mares Synchro Tech. It has the pockets and integrated weights, etc. but I found it to be more drag than a backplate mounted wing, when I switched to the wing, my air consumption went down and my speed in the water along with ease of movement was easier.
Make your own decisions, but the reg thing is a must... it just makes good sense when you think about the situation.
db

 

[haha49]

Hi there

As an instructor I always advise my students to try before you buy. Scuba equipment is a costly expense and renting is an easy to see what works best for you before you shell out all the money. Many shops will give you a discount or discount the price of the rental gear if you decide to purchase from them. YMMV but that is practice in the shops I work with. Just like diving, don’t rush it or your pocket book may hyperventilate.

Best Fishes!! <;///><

well i wasnt going to buy gear out of my open watter class just personaly gear then my dad made a very good point its life suport in the watter and you dont want it to go wrong.. i know how my gear has been used as im the one useing it you know its history ect... invest in a reg and an exposure suit rent and personal gear rent diffrent kinds of bcd so you can figure out what you like.. but you should get a reg and a exposure suit frist..

 

[Homunculus]

Suunto computers (as well as other gauges) are very good, you can't go wrong with that brand. I'm planning to get one at some point. In terms of regulators, everybody seems to love their Atomic ones. I myself have poseidon and like it very much. My advice - get a DIN regulator. It's easy to switch to Yoke, just get a ~$50 adapter. The bottom line with BCs and regs - try as many as you can and decide which ones you like the most (in terms of breathing and fit).
edit:
also make sure you have a place to service a particular reg in your area. some regs are pain in the ### to service locally, but you can send for service.