Opinions on my purchase

[Bfi]

Hi all,

I am new to this board, new to scuba and in fact am not certified yet. I came across a deal from someone that was a retired scuba instructor and jumped on it. I’m sure it wasn’t smart and I do know I should have rented prior but the restlessness of a lockdown got me and I did it and here I am. My ultimate goal was to find a cheap starter set up that I can take out once certified and then build from there. I was wondering if anyone could give me an opinion on the gear I purchased and what’s good or bad. I paid $650 for everything and am going in with the assumption I overpaid due to lack of knowledge which again I admit was not smart. I’m less concerned about the deal and more concerned with assuming it’s in working order did I get decent starting equipment that I can build on slowly while still getting experience. Anyhelp would be much appreciated!

2 x 80 cubic feet aluminum tanks with 5/19 hydro

ScubaPro XL/54 3mm wetsuit

ScubaPro XL 0.5mm second skin

ScubaPro Glide plus BCD with Aire2 Inflator and octopus

ScubaPro mk25 s550 regulator recently serviced with NO dives since service

4 inch dive knife

Uwatec dive computer with remote pressure gage New battery 5/19

Spare(no installed on regulator) Submersible Pressure Gage (SPG)

New mesh dive bag

Inflatable dive float with line and reel

set of scuba pro twin jet split fin

Weight belt

 

[Bfi]

Additional equipment

 

[Vitesse2l]

A couple of thoughts -

First, congrats on getting into diving. You'll get to see some special stuff and meet great people. Second, all your time above water will now be spent thinking about your time under it.

Purchases look fine, we all start somewhere. You might want an octo on the regs as well as the Air2. You won't really know until you have some experience exactly what gear you need but hose clips and other bits is easy to sort. For the price (usd?) I reckon you've worked out what you have saved on new. I expect you'll get the tanks tested quite soon. Have fun!

 

[Bfi]

A couple of thoughts -

First, congrats on getting into diving. You'll get to see some special stuff and meet great people. Second, all your time above water will now be spent thinking about your time under it.

Purchases look fine, we all start somewhere. You might want an octo on the regs as well as the Air2. You won't really know until you have some experience exactly what gear you need but hose clips and other bits is easy to sort. For the price (usd?) I reckon you've worked out what you have saved on new. I expect you'll get the tanks tested quite soon. Have fun!

Yes usd. I do intend to get the tanks tested soon. Do you happen to have a suggestion on a reg to add in place of the air2? Really appreciate you taking the time to respond and thank you for the warm welcome!

 

[Vitesse2l]

You're welcome.

I made a typo above - keep the air2 and add an octo to the primary reg. It's the more usual setup when starting. Usually your octopus (Safe second) is exactly the same as the other reg, with a bit longer hose so an out of gas diver can use it without being very very close to you.

This stuff will all be in your training so I don't want to go too far in now. Looks like you still need a mask (buy in a dive shop not online to check fit), booties and weights? On my phone so pics are small.

 

[Bfi]

You're welcome.

I made a typo above - keep the air2 and add an octo to the primary reg. It's the more usual setup when starting. Usually your octopus (Safe second) is exactly the same as the other reg, with a bit longer hose so an out of gas diver can use it without being very very close to you.

This stuff will all be in your training so I don't want to go too far in now. Looks like you still need a mask (buy in a dive shop not online to check fit), booties and weights? On my phone so pics are small.

Got it!

it did come with weights so I will need to get the mask and booties. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[loosenit2]

Hopefully welcome to diving, when do you take your Open Water class? You did not do bad on equipment purchase, you did not overpay if that is what you are worried about. The MK25/S550 regulator combination is very good. Your tanks to not need to be "tested"; hydrostatic testing is only necessary once every 5 years in most locations. They do need to have an annual Visual Inspection (VIS), normally $15-20 dollars per tank. If you want to move away from the AIR2 you can pick up inexpensive Octos out there that will do the job. The scubapro R095 is their least expensive and runs about 150-175$ for the second stage, or if you are willing to mix brands there are a good number of less expensive ones (mixing most brands is not an issue in terms of function). You should also have your LDS do a function check on your regulators and AIR2, unless you know the shop that did the recent service or fully trust the gentlemen that sold them too you that they were in fact recently serviced. Most regulators need to be serviced every 1-2 years/75-200 dives as a matter of routine.

You will find that SB is a very advanced and technical diver oriented forum so many posters will steer you towards backplate and wing BCDs, and away from AIR2 and split fins but what you have, if serviced properly and functioning is exactly what 99% of scuba divers out there use and will serve you well for your training and diving.

 

[Vitesse2l]

No problem. If you put your location in your profile I'm sure you will get suggestions on who to talk to and where to buy. There's some very helpful folks on SB a bit closer to you than where I am!

 

[Bfi]

Hopefully welcome to diving, when do you take your Open Water class? You did not do bad on equipment purchase, you did not overpay if that is what you are worried about. The MK25/S550 regulator combination is very good. Your tanks to not need to be "tested"; hydrostatic testing is only necessary once every 5 years in most locations. They do need to have an annual Visual Inspection (VIS), normally $15-20 dollars per tank. If you want to move away from the AIR2 you can pick up inexpensive Octos out there that will do the job. The scubapro R095 is their least expensive and runs about 150-175$ for the second stage, or if you are willing to mix brands there are a good number of less expensive ones (mixing most brands is not an issue in terms of function). You should also have your LDS do a function check on your regulators and AIR2, unless you know the shop that did the recent service or fully trust the gentlemen that sold them too you that they were in fact recently serviced. Most regulators need to be serviced every 1-2 years/75-200 dives as a matter of routine.

You will find that SB is a very advanced and technical diver oriented forum so many posters will steer you towards backplate and wing BCDs, and away from AIR2 and split fins but what you have, if serviced properly and functioning is exactly what 99% of scuba divers out there use and will serve you well for your training and diving.

Thank you for the detailed response! I hope to take my classes this month. The pandemic has thrown a bit of a wrench in it so we shall see.
The gentleman said next month I needed to have them VIP inspected I believe. Again that shows how much I have to learn! The gentleman did seem very trust worthy sandbags knowledgeable but I want to have in all inspected just for peace of mind.

 

[Scraps]

If everything fits well, I think you did very well.

You didn’t get a bunch of stuff you won’t need in the early stages of your pursuit of diving. You got quality brands, and you would have spent a whole lot more buying piecemeal.

Best wishes on your new hobby.