I'm tired of renting gear and am ready to purchase my full set. I've got Oceanic fins, mask, and snorkel. The shop where I'm looking to buy can set me up with the following.
Scubapro Mk25/A700 - 697
SP Knighthawk M w/Air 2 - 652
Wisdom2 w/compass and qd - 675
So I'm looking at $2120 for this package which is high for a first set but it's high quality stuff at a decent discount.
Any words of wisdom on this purchase? Thanks
I have an Oceanic OC1 w/ built in compass and it the compass is almost useless. It is too clumsy to put into compass mode while at depth. I would use a Sunnto SK7 for a compass (wrist mount) Like Mr. Lapenta recommended.
I am also a new diver and I am in the midst of purchasing my doubles rig which as you know Scuba is a cheap sport (LOL). The biggest thing I have found which you will hear everyone talk about on SB is try a BP/W before you purchase (which is excellent advice!). I did try a DiveRite Nomad and a Zeagle Ranger prior to purchasing my singles rig. I was very happy with the Zeagle Ranger at that time and since I wasn't planning on any sidemount diving at that time. I ended up going ahead and purchased the Zeagle Ranger it for my singles REC BC. I have enjoyed it for singles since it has a 44lb wing with a nylon backplate. It has stainless steel D rings which are great for slinging my AL19 and AL40. I would recommend getting the crotch strap on any rig you get since it stabilized me pretty well.
Now many people would say -- See you should have bought a BP/W so you would go with a SS backplate for doubles you are now doing.. However I made the costly choice upfront to have a singles kit and a mostly separate doubles kit. Yes much more $$$, however I won't have to mess with kit reconfiguration every time I switch from singles to doubles etc. If I had a tighter budget at the time I surely would have gotten the BP/W and probably would have went with the AL backplate for singles then the SS backplate for doubles.
I have the OctoZ on my Ranger and I agree with an earlier post ... I wish I did NOT buy the OctoZ or any other Octo attached to my power inflator for a few reasons.
- Your work of breathing IMO is much harder
- It is very difficult to work your inflate/deflate buttons on ascent when using it
When I was purchasing originally I was thinking about "Stream lining" my gear as much as possible, however I ended up sacrificing too much functionality with using an OCTO attached to the power inflator. If I was purchasing my singles rig again I would NOT buy an OCTO on the power inflator and I would have opted for a good Octo Second stage.
DISCLAIMER: Of course eveyone on here has their own opinions on this, but this is my observation after spending my money and then trying.
Good luck! Scuba is fantastic and gear configuration is fun (at least I think so
)
- Mike