New to Diving please help

[kahoots]

Hello all,
I am new to this forum. I am getting my certification shortly (1-2 months) in SSI or Padi. So far i have done 4 dives.

I have a question, i know i will need to purchase snorkel equipment, however there are so many to choose from, so many brands. I was wondering if you can provide your comments on this set of equipment from divers-supply.com

Mask- Oceanic 4 ion
Snorkel- Sea Elite dry snorkel
Fins- Oceanic V-16 fins
Boots- Deluxe zipper boots (size 11) My shoe size is 11 so i chose 11, is that right?
Dive duffle bag

Total comes out to $199.

Is this a good set? I am planning to do about 8-10 dives in warm waters a year.

Also, i will need to purchase a wet suit. Anything you guys recommend? Brand? Price range? I dont want to spend too much, i think a 3mm is probably enough.

Thanks a lot for all your help!

 

[RonFrank]

When purchasing a mask it is all about fit. I have a face that fits many masks well, but seriously I never got mask squeeze until I purchased an Atomic frameless! The surprise here is I have a stash, so I did not think it possible to get a perfect seal, but damn if that mask isn't the cat's meow in fit for me. Certainly one of the more expensive options out there, but I don't regret the purchase, in fact, the opposite.

Fins are also personal preference, but they need to fit. Make sure to talk to the DiveShop about fin fit. Most guarantee the fit, but shipping things back and forth is a hassle, and a bit expensive.

What you have select looks fine, and it's at a good price. Just spend a few minutes talking to who you order to try and get the best fit the first time around.

ScubaToys offers members here a 10% discount, and they will price match LP. If they have what you want, that is who I recommend unless the deal you have found is local to you so you can try things on.

On wet suits, I've found a 3mm wetsuit is a 3mm or 3/2mm wetsuit for the most part. I like the superstrech, or hyperstretch, or whatever stretch type as they go on/off easier. I think I paid about $100 bucks for my Tilos 3/2mm superstretch wetsut, but that was four years ago. IMO don't bother with Henderson unless you just love something about those suits. My buddy bought the farm with his Henderson, and the thing is starting to really look bad. He dives a bit less than myself, and my Tilos cost about 2.5 times less than his, and it's in better shape!

Good Luck with the cert, and safe diving!

 

[kahoots]

thanks...i will go to my LDS and try on the materials before i purchase.

 

[Ann Marie]

I'll second Ron's suggestion. Masks are about fit!!

My face does NOT fit many masks well. I would have been so sorry if I had tried to buy my mask without trying it on first. Boots don't always fit the same way that shoes do. I know that my shoe size can range anywhere between an 8 and a 9. Buying gear that needs to fit well online is like rolling the dice unless you know for sure that something fits you already.

Welcome to ScubaBoard by the way. :admingreet:

You may want to print out the items that you are thinking about buying online. Your LDS may be able to match the price. That way you'll have supported them, have a place to go to if you find that something doesn't fit as well as you thought it would, be able to make an easy exchange if needed, and start building a relationship with them. I'm not saying you have to buy from them; just saying give them a chance to meet the same deal.

 

[scubajcf]

thanks...i will go to my LDS and try on the materials before i purchase.

Not that I am accusing you of anything.....

Out of respect, you should give the LDS, where you go to try out the gear, the opportunity to earn your business. As a former shop owner, I would spend hours with people who I knew left with a lot of my time and knowledge invested who never gave me the opportunity to earn their business. I don't think divers should blindly give their allegiance (or money) to a shop. But, if you are going to use their knowledge and inventory, give them the chance to complete the sale.

Capitalism - you gotta love it! The alternatives are foreign to me.

jcf

 

[Colliam7]

Mask- Oceanic 4 ion Decent mask, low volume. The main complaint I hear is that the strap tends to slip (and loosen up on a dive).
Snorkel- Sea Elite dry snorkel Dry snorkels are OK. I wouldn't pay extra for them, but as part of a package price, there is nothing wrong with them.
Fins- Oceanic V-16 fins Split fins are a source of discussion. Some love them, others think splits are terrible. If I was buying fins separately, I might suggest something cheaper like a Mares Quattro.
Boots- Deluxe zipper boots (size 11) My shoe size is 11 so i chose 11, is that right? I have found that the street size / bootie size relationship varies among manufacturers, and it is best to try them on.
Dive duffle bag
Total comes out to $199. Very good total package price. For your anticipated amount of diving, the $199 is a reasonable investment, and impressively low for this particular package. Nothing in it that I would probably buy separately, but nothing wrong with it.

 

[ruready7]

As said before..best way with masks is to try them on before buying. I have a dry snorkel the oceanic ultra dry and no complaints with it.

 

[Oxy]

I too am hoping to get certified soon and bought one of those prepackage mask/snorkel sets from the LDS.
He had the same mask and same snorkel hanging on the wall so I fitted them both and was happy. I tried on boots and when I found some that fit I tried fins and bought those. Now I'm wanting another mask and different fins and I haven't even signed up for classes yet. After using the fins for a while i'm thinking they are too stiff for my liking and the mask, well I just want another one
You can still buy online to save money but it helps to try stuff on first.
Wet suits? they all fit differently. the one I want fits like a glove "off the rack" and is on sale as it has been hanging on that rack for a while so it would be cheaper to get it from this LDS.
These basic things are so personal and preferential, dive shops can't cover everyones desires. Thus the reason we must supply our own basic gear.
Me I'm special I want to train in my own gear Not that I don't trust rental gear, it's more like I don't like the idea of rental life support. If I learn in THAT gear then try to dive in THIS gear everything will be off unless I buy the same gear as I learned in.

 

[don Francisco]

Kahoots, Assuming the mask fits well, it seems like a reasonable package. I have no ax to grind on the LDS vs. Mail order issue & hopefully nobody will use my next comments to start a war on the issue.

If you're going to use the LDS for advice or to try on equipment, it's only fair to purchase from them if they offer good service. You might still purchase other items mail order, but to use the LDS as a free showroom for the mailorder guy is hitting below the belt.

You could also ask the LDS about stiffness and other suitability issues regarding your fin selection,
and if their advice is on point & you don't feel like they're moving you beyond your budget, consider buying fins there as well.

My main point is that a good LDS is a valuable resource, and should be treated fairly. If goods end up costing slightly more there, consider the difference a consulting/fitting fee. In the bike biz. we have a number of colorful names (none of which I could post here) for folks who drop in ask millions of questions, try stuff on & come back in 2 weeks later with that same stuff bought elsewhere. dF

 

[Oxy]

I spent too much at the LDS for fins it turns out I'm not really happy with. They do however fit properly. Had I gone out and got fins online I could have saved 20%-30% but they would not have fit as the size I would have gotten was a loose fit in the LDS.
I have a mask from the LDS but I don't feel obligated to buy another from him but if I went out now and bought that same wetsuit online just to save $20 would be just wrong.
Like Don said, The shop owner has been a huge help and with just a little respect on my part he has offered me a reg at competitors price over the counter (no waiting for online delivery).
So I paid too much for fins:11: