New to Diving--Looking for equipment

[Teamdominion25]

Hello,
I am quite new to diving and just had my first "discover" dive in the Virgin Islands last week. I immidiatly fell in love with the sport and are looking to getting certified soon. Im wondering what BC i should buy after getting certified. Most of my diving will take place in lakes and quarries as i live in central PA. Im looking to try to keep the price down, yet buy a worthwhile piece of equipment...no junk! WHats ur opinion on what my purchase should be?

Thanks

 

[lackingcreativity]

For local lake and quarry diving I use my Zeagle Ranger. Some may claim its over kill, but quarry and lake diving isn't the same as the caribbean, and the gear configurations cannot necessarly be interchanged.
Good luck

 

[wunat]

Do take your time in gearing up your scuba setup. I rushed in pretty often when I first started diving and bought gears which ended up sitting as a backup. Not saying that the 1st set of gear I bought wasn't great. I made alot of research too. Sometimes you just don't know all that's out there as yet. Other than the regulator, I have 2 of each equipment (BC, fins, wetsuits, masks, and even dive computer). Definitely get a chance to try out the gears before you buy them if you can.

One factor which would help you decided which brand or model of gear to investment in is your LDS. Gears (eg. dive computer, regulators) need services. See what's handy for you also.

 

[KrisB]

Personally, I'd suggest finding some regs you like and starting there.

The BC is something that's much more personal preference than actual performance (for the most part) but the regs are definitely life-support equipment.

Also, having a computer is a nice way to track your dives. I have a Suunto Cobra, and the download to the PC is really slick.

YMMV,

 

[scubatoys]

I'm of the belief that you should start with the BC. Here's a little article I wrote on that idea...

Which should I buy first, a BC or a Reg Setup?

And I'll second the Zeagle opinion.

 

[lackingcreativity]

Personally, I'd suggest finding some regs you like and starting there.

The BC is something that's much more personal preference than actual performance (for the most part) but the regs are definitely life-support equipment.

Also, having a computer is a nice way to track your dives. I have a Suunto Cobra, and the download to the PC is really slick.

YMMV,

In my opinion the Bc is the most important part of my gear. If the BC is uncomfortable than that makes me miserable. The BC is sort of the central component to the scuba set up, not to mention its the BC's job to bring you up to the surface. As far as regs go as long as you don't buy from some crap-o company no one has ever heard of you really can't go wrong. Most can easily preform to 130'.

 

[KrisB]

I guess to each their own... but the other fact to consider is that getting to try on and use multiple (rented) BCs might be an advantage, too.

With regs, I knew pretty much what I wanted right away -- I had used two different sets of AL regs during my OW training, the first one had a standard mouthpiece, the second a "comfobite" -- my jaw ached liked there was no tomorrow with the first set, but I couldn't tell I had a problem after using the second set.

Did my research, then ended up with a Micra Adj/Cousteau combo.

Again, YMMV.

 

[jonnythan]

I'm of the belief that you should start with the BC. Here's a little article I wrote on that idea...

Which should I buy first, a BC or a Reg Setup?

And I'll second the Zeagle opinion.

I agree with Larry but I think you should sit down and read the BC Forum for a couple hours before you go and buy anything. You will find a ton of opinions. One BC you may not have considered is a backplate/wing setup. These are becoming very popular up here in the Northeast. I personally recommend them very highly, as in my opinion a bp/wing is superior to any other BC on the market.

The only reason I mention them is because they can be hard to find if you're not looking for them and chances are you weren't told about them during your OW class.