new equipment

[topflowerrubberforever]

hey guys

over the summer i will be gaining diving experience in a dive shop. after the summer ends i will buy my own equipment. what are suggestions that anyone would give me on things to buy?

regulator
bcd
dive computer
gauges
wetsuit

i have the basics (fins mask snorkel etc) and i think i am ready to take it to the next level.

Thanks

Jay

 

[The Kraken]

1: Atomic
2: Zeagle
3: Oceanic Datamax Pro
4: SPG Backup, compact size
5: 2 piece, farmer john and jacket with skin

You're gonna get a looooooooooooooooooooooooot of personal preferences here!
Buy that which is safe, comfortable, fits your diving profiles for the next 3-4 years and falls within you budgetary parameters.

 

[ZoCrowes255]

hey guys

over the summer i will be gaining diving experience in a dive shop. after the summer ends i will buy my own equipment. what are suggestions that anyone would give me on things to buy?

regulator
bcd
dive computer
gauges
wetsuit

i have the basics (fins mask snorkel etc) and i think i am ready to take it to the next level.

Thanks

Jay

The most important thing for you to to do is to buy what FITS you, what is comfortable and what you can get serviced easily in your area. I am personally a fan of Scubapro equipment specifically their regulators. Some of the easiest breathing and most durable regs on the market. My MK25/S600 has a few thousand pool hours and a few hundred dives on it and has taken every bit of abuse I have thrown at it.

Your best bet would be to dive as much as you can with as many different types of equipment that you can (rent or borrowed) to determine what you find to be comfortable.

 

[Gary D.]

Buy what fits you, is comfortable, what can be serviced locally and what you can afford. That’s the best gear you can buy.

Don’t buy something that is so expensive, (which is not necessarily the best) that you can’t afford to service at a later date.

Gary D.

 

[boney]

You'll also want to consider what type of diving you will be doing. If you entering cold water at all make sure your regs can handle it, going with the cold theme, the wetsuit you get should also be a suitable thickness for the water temps. Another thing to consider in terms of regs is if you plan to do any Nitrox courses/dives, you'll need a reg that can handle that as well.
Most importantly like everyone's mentioned here, fit and comfort are the main things to look for, everyone will have their own brand preferences...

 

[Hop Devil]

Maybe the dive shop will let you demo a lot of the equipment they sell or rent. They you could make an informed decision on what works best for you and makes you feel the most comfortable. Lots of people will tell you to buy what they bought. Don't fall for that. Evalute through experience and your own research. It's half the fun of diving. Good luck

 

[DandyDon]

Add three things:

• Safety Sausage;
• Storm Whistle;
• and 4 weight belt keepers, even if you're using integrated.

And - I like Jump suits better than Farmer Johns. I want as much as my shoulders as my tummy...

 

[Paco]

Jump suit with a hooded vest is ideal for cold water, and more comfy (IMO) than farmer john style. My first bc was not weight integrated and I wish I would have gone that route from the beginning. Love my Aqualung Titan LX regulator.

 

[Green_Manelishi]

Your best bet would be to dive as much as you can with as many different types of equipment that you can (rent or borrowed) to determine what you find to be comfortable.

Excellent advice. Gear falls into 1 of 4 categories:

1) looks cool in the shop but does not feel comfortable
2) feels comfortable in shop but not in pool
3) feels comfy in pool and for one or two OW dives as long
as all is well and the conditions are good
4) feels comfy in shop, in pool and remains comfy
after several OW dives under various conditions

It's group #4 you seek to find. The only way to do that is try out (by renting or borrowing) as many brands and models as possible under various conditions. Only then will you likely avoid what many of us have ... a collection of gear from groups #1, 2 and 3

G_M

 

[topflowerrubberforever]

i went to a dive shop today and the guy told me what others have been saying.. he said all equipment is good and safe. but dont forget that there is a repair factor. he is the retailer for beuchat (sp?) he said repairing them is cheap and they are good for starters.. the full gear(reg, 1st, 2nd stages, spg gauge and bcd) for 760$. i get the same gear for $958 if i want a tank as well

what do you guys think?? honestly i am not buying for at least 3 months till i am sure i want to invest this much into diving.. i dive warm waters off the arabian sea/indian ocean