? on gear

[fringefan]

I am new to scuba but have wanted to get into diving since I was a little kid and will get my open water certification in March for a key west dive in May and need some advise on gear. I live in SD so cold water diving is going to be very likely but I am limited to aqual lung, scuba pro and mares brand gear since there is a limited number of shops in the state so servicability is a big concern. I am 29 years old 6/4 about 280lbs so I need some advice on a BC since I am not a little guy and a wet suit.

I am looking at the Mares Abyss, Proton Ice, and the V16 proton metal, V16 limited and I believe that any of these regs will do the job so it will come down to what I can get the best deal on. I have seen the Proton Ice and both V16 metals at very good prices.

Fins will most likely be the apollo bio fin

The computer I am looking at the Mares RGBM MC1

Price is a concern but I prefer quality and don't like having to upgrade equipment so any advise will help.

 

[scubapolly]

First thing is you need to let us know some details about the diving you are planning on doing? Where do you live?
Are you planning on diving primarily in areas like the keys or local diving as well?

The proton is a good reg, but don'r rule out the aqualung regs, or the Scuba Pros.

Polly

 

[Michael Schlink]

Your heigth and weight make you out to be a big guy. Go for a BP/Wing. Regardless of where you dive you're going to need some weight so a SS plate will work well anywhere you dive. If you go with a jacket style BC fit might be an issue plus you'll need something with alot of lift if you do any coldwater dives. You're a perfect candidate for a BP/Wing. This coming from a guy that doesn't ALWAYS dive a plate.
Regs- go with what fit's your budget as most will do all you will need them to do.
Bio fins- you're probably going to take a beating here- I where different fins for different types of diving including SB jets for caves BUT I love my splits on a nice tropical reef. The biofin has gotten good marks in the past, a good friend of mine and an experienced diver of 30 years bought a pair of Apollos a few years and loves them.
I can't give you advice on the Mares comp. as I'm not familiar-
Good luck-and let the games begin

 

[fringefan]

First thing is you need to let us know some details about the diving you are planning on doing? Where do you live?
Are you planning on diving primarily in areas like the keys or local diving as well?

The proton is a good reg, but don'r rule out the aqualung regs, or the Scuba Pros.

Polly

SD=South Dakota and I live in Rapid city or the Black Hills and as far as diving I expect to do; it would be everything and anything at some time or another and will range from local lakes to the keys to some cave diving and cold water diving.

 

[M_Bipartitus]

I'm a similar weight and unfortunately shorter, I agree with the back plate suggestions. I currently use an OMS IQ pac. I got this this semi BP/W setup since I can use it without a backplate for single tank diving on trips, but is also good for full weight cold water diving around home.

If you need extra weight past a steel plate and single tank adaptor, likely if you dive dry or with a thick wetsuit, I like the DUI weight and trim.

I recently purchased a Mares Proton LE reg. I got the impression that most anyone who was not a big Apeks or Scubapro fan liked the Mares line. You may find complaints about service and parts availability, but the evidence now is that Mares is taking the issues seriously and devoted to improvement. Also If you can get ahold of an old decor reg (ebay) you can trade it in for a big discount on an Abyss.

 

[fringefan]

What is a bp/wing? I have never heard of this, I have only used vest or jacket style but I am worried about having to carry the extra weight in the salt water.

 

[scubamickey]

BP/W stands for Back Plate with Wings

You can see some on this manufacturer's site: http://www.halcyon.net
Very customizable for different types of diving and adjustable to fit anyone of any size. It's the choice for technical divers as well as recreational divers who like the style.

 

[TheYellowSubmarine]

Have a look in the equipment forums.

At the very least try a BP/W BEFORE buying a BC. Almost certainly you will save yourself money by just getting the BP/W first. Luckily I heard about BP/W before buying a BC, and decided straight away not to get a BC.

Regarding fins, you may also want to try the Scuba Pro Jet fins or the Mares Quattro's.

Pretty much all the major regulator manufacturers make good regs, usually comes down to what is easiest to get serviced.

 

[Dive-aholic]

I am new to scuba but have wanted to get into diving since I was a little kid and will get my open water certification in March for a key west dive in May and need some advise on gear. I live in SD so cold water diving is going to be very likely but I am limited to aqual lung, scuba pro and mares brand gear since there is a limited number of shops in the state so servicability is a big concern. I am 29 years old 6/4 about 280lbs so I need some advice on a BC since I am not a little guy and a wet suit.

I am looking at the Mares Abyss, Proton Ice, and the V16 proton metal, V16 limited and I believe that any of these regs will do the job so it will come down to what I can get the best deal on. I have seen the Proton Ice and both V16 metals at very good prices.

Fins will most likely be the apollo bio fin

The computer I am looking at the Mares RGBM MC1

Price is a concern but I prefer quality and don't like having to upgrade equipment so any advise will help.

Get certified first. Try out the pool gear and rental gear. Let the destination shops know your size so they can accomodate.

Buy a wetsuit first. That will be the hardest thing to fit as far as a rental. Buy a good fitting mask, a cheap snorkel, and decent fins. Then dive, dive, dive! Figure out what type of diving you want to do before you spend a bunch of money. You may find you will only end up ebaying all of your initial purchases when you buy the gear you really want.

The gear you have named is all decent gear, but it may not be what you want in the long run. And you won't know what you'll want in the long run until you dive. My sister is now diving most of my original set of gear. The only original things I have from my initial purchases are mask, snorkel, and wetsuits, and that mask is a backup and the snorkel only gets used when I teach.

 

[lostplanetairman]

Back plate and wing especially if you're going cold. Surprisingly they pack well for your warm water travels.