New here, Looking for some help...

[Alindquist]

Hey guys, I'm a brand new diver and new to this forum. I live in Navarre, and I got certified last year and have managed to do a whooping 4 dives so far. I have since been on the hunt to buy gear. I would need everything, ok so I have a wetsuit and booties, but I need everything else. If you got any extra stuff laying around I'm interested. I'm really looking for a decent deal on the big ticket items, BC, Reg, Octo, Computer, but a full set-up would set-up would be ideal. I'm trying to stay under the $500 range.
Otherwise if you can recommend a local shop that has good package deals please let me know.
I'm looking forward to reading and learning more on this site and hopefully meeting and diving with some of you.
Aaron

 

[Dive-aholic]

It will be difficult to find a full set up for under $500. Any used regulators you get will have to be serviced and that will add another $100+ to the price tag. Check out Cave Adventurers. The page I linked has a couple of package deals for about $750. They have some other deals that are in store only. If you can wait until next week, call on the 11th and ask to speak to Edd (he's out of town right now). Tell him Rob referred you and you'll get a great deal.

 

[Alindquist]

Thanks, I'm aware that any reg that I buy used will need to be checked out. I figure that would be in addition to the $500 or so... I'm not in a big hurry so if I haven't found anything in the next week I'll give your buddy a call. I would just like to get out diving a few more times before it starts to get cold.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

I've got a ScubaPro Classic Plus I'm willing to get ride of... balanced inflator, jacket BC. Sized L or XL, can't remember, will have to check when I get home. $150

 

[Hetland]

Don't buy crap gear. It will always be crap, no matter what you do to spruce it up. For regs, I would try to go with Scubapro or Atomic. That will easily blow your budget, but an old Scubapro Mk10+ is as good, or better than 99% of the "bargain" regs you can buy new today. I prefer Atomic, but Scubapro is probably easier to get service for... That said, the service interval for Atomic regs is once every two years, vs. once a year for most everyone else (YMMV), so you make up the price of the reg after a few years in service costs.

TRY a backplate/wings and/or Transpack/wings BC before committing to a jacket BC. I ignored that advice when I first came here, and as a result, I spent $750 on a jacket BC, that I could have spent on something else. I like the transpack, but I dive every weekend, and do all sorts of diving, so it was the best choice for me. Some of my buddies love jacket BC's, it's a matter of choice, but try both kinds if you can.

When it comes time to purchase tanks, look for steel instead of aluminum. Another good piece of advice I ignored. Steel tanks allow you to carry less lead weight. This is particularly nice in the cooler months, when you have more wetsuit buoyancy to counteract. Steel tanks usually allow for you to carry more gas, which is always a plus. The downside is that tank fills can sometimes be more expensive because some shops charge more for higher volume tanks. You should go over your fill options with the shop you intend to use most for your fills.

 

[Alindquist]

I can't afford to run out and buy top of the line new gear. I can afford cheap new gear, which is what I'm trying to avoid... I would much rather buy qualtity used gear, I just really don't want to pay retail when I don't know a lot about this stuff and I'm sure that over the next year or two I'll find stuff that I like better and will be updating. I do appreciate the advise.

 

[USVet96]

Here is my opinion ok:

For whatever reason you have not been in the water except 4 times in the last year. That's not a bad thing, just a point. The GEAR is presumably NOT what kept you out of the water. You could always have rented gear. Not as comfortable true, but it does get you wet. So if you had "expensive" gear that too would have just been sitting around not getting used. Just saying.

What you need to do is research YOU. Find out what type of diving you will be doing, what type of diver you are, then find out what gear goes best with that type and style. Make a list of the things you want the gear to do and have, then make a list of the things you do not need. Then make a list of what order you want to get the gear.

After all that is done, then you can start narrowing down specific pieces of gear that match your list.

Do yourself a favor: figure out what you want and need through the list process, then save and buy ONE piece at a time until you have ALL of what you want. If you can only afford the BC now, then get that and save for the Reg or the computer or whatever. You will hate yourself later for buying CHEAP now just to have it all at once. And just because it does not cost ALOT does not mean it is cheap. ALOT of gear is way overpriced and new divers assume the high cost means good.

Get a good REG 1st (and NEW). You will breath easier and be more comfortable in the water. Then get a cheap computer. Then a BC (after you have tried both styles and found one you like). Then tanks (maybe). Then a more expensive and precise computer (have the cheap one as a backup - always recommended anyway)

Point is, you will not be able to get ALL brand new gear for $500. So use it to get a piece at a time and dive while you are saving for the other gear.

IMO

 

[DocCarl]

There have been some very good points made already, so I'm going to shy away from gear reccomendations and the like.

In response to your original question:

If you are interested, I have a Aqualung Pro QD for sale. Less than 50 dives, excellent condition. Size ML. Will also throw in several accessory clips. If you would like to take it for a test drive, that can easily be arranged. I'm in Mobile and dive in the Pensacola area regularly.


Let me know, and we'll go dive!


Carl

 

[bamaskubacat]

Aaron - I would definitely take Carl up on his offer of a "test drive". I'm also fairly new to diving and Carl has been a wealth of knowledge for me!!! This time last year I did my first gulf dive with Carl, his wife Kate and Tessunderwater. All three are great to dive with if you're new. They're all very patient and very attentive to how your doing.

 

[Hetland]

Posted a few minutes ago on FaceBook:

Lawren McCaghren
For those divers interested in a great deal on your first dive computer, or those experienced divers wanting an economical back-up, I've got a deal for you. We have 10 used computers varying from $90-$160. We have several models and all have user changeable batteries are are in great shape. Come by Gulf Coast Divers and take a look. These will go very fast, so don't hesitate.

Gulf Coast Divers
1284 Hutson Dr., Mobile, AL 36609
(251)342-2970
Gulf Coast Divers - Dive The Alabama, Florida and Mississippi Gulf Coast - Gulf Coast Scuba Diving At Its' Best - Mobile, Alabama