New to the scene...Hello!

[Island Style]

My name is Brent and I recently completed my PADI Open Water Cert. last Sunday here on Oahu.

I had a great time! My instructor was great, the class size was small (3 students) and the equipment was top notch!

For those of you that are familiar with Oahu, we completed our shore dive at Electric Beach and our boat dive out of Wainae boat harbor...

I just came back from Maui and when I have more time, I will return and dive there...the fish are more abundant there.

Now...I am in the hunt for a new/used BC and Regulator set...

After a lot of research and in some cases use, I've narrowed it down to:

BC: ScubaPro Knighthawk or a Zeagle (Ranger or lighter like the Escape)..I also like the Air2 Alternate source...

for the Regulator...I like the Atomic Aquatics setup, possibly the MK25/S600, or even the new Sherwood SR1...

Can anyone chime in and help me narrow down the choices further?

Thanks in Advance...

btw....I've been reading the posts...good info!!!

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy and Welcome to SB.com!

Click Forums at the top to start checking all the choices, and try our feature. Hope you enjoy your time here. Click my Username to PM me if I can help...??

don
[c]

[/c]

 

[Standingbear56]

Hello Brent,
Welcome to Scuba Board and congratulations on your certification. As far as equipment goes, I can't speak for all the brands you mentioned, but I can talk about the Zeagle. The Escape is an excellent light weight BC with a 35 lb bladder and is great for travel. The Ranger is more heavy duty and has a 44 lb bladder. The other differences is that the Escape has a 20 lb EZ Lock Pullout weight system as well as a 20 lb of ditcable rear weight system. The Ranger has a 36 lb Ripcord weight system and 20 lb of ditchable rear weight system. Although I haven't tried it, many people on this site have talked about combining the Ranger Harness with the Escape Bladder.
The Atomic Aquatics regulators are always right at the top of most regulator reviews. The flow rates of all their primary regulators are the same, so it's just a matter of which material you want, i.e. Titanium, Stainless Steel or Brass. Their Alternate Air Inflator is often rated as the best in it's class.
The Atomic can only be in store purchased (no internet). As far as I know, the same is true for Scuba Pro. Hope this helps.
If there is anything else I can do to help, just let me know.
Safe Diving,
George
PADI MSDT 33859
Prime Scuba

 

[Bob Vincent]

Hi ...

& Welcome to ...
:sblogo::colouredsmilies::colouredsmilies:

You might want to take alook at Scuba Diver Mag Regulator test, on the breathing machine the SR-1, recieved perfect scores along with the Aeris Ion and the Hollis 212/DC1. The Scuba Pro not quite there. Atomic's has blown perfect scores also.

I'm not a big fan of inflator hose attached reg's. In a real emergency I don't like handing my primary off with the short hose, grabbing the inflator/reg sticking it in my mouth and trying to control the situation, while maintaining a good ascent rate with the OOA person smashed up next to you that is in a panic mode. Ask yourself this ... if they are so good why doesn't the vast amount of Instructors and DM's use them?

Yes they help with getting streamlined ... but it's kinda like your banking on never getting into a situation, but if you ever do you'll want a real octo with a longer hose than your primary. What's even better is a oct that swivals somehow so when you hand it off without twisting the OOA diver can take it directly in their mouth.