Package purchase question

[jsquaredFL]

I'm looking into two packages, one for me, one for my fiance. She got certified a few months ago and has already knocked out her nitrox and underwater photo class and is now eyeballing night/limited vis, navigation and possibly cavern (ambitious woman). I have been certified since 1999 and we are looking at our LDS for a package (they are like family).

This is her package

Glide Plus BC
Scuba pro MK25 balanced first stage
Scuba pro G250V
Scuba pro R295 Octo
comes with a 3 gauge cluster for a pressure gauge, compass and a Uwatec Aladin prime computer
package also comes with the Aladin prime computer

Price for the package is $1400


I already purchased an Aladin so I am going without the computer and the package goes to $1100, but I am adding a three gauge cluster for a depth, pressure, and compass for it so it becomes about $1200.


I hope this is a good package............any ideas? I can pretty much customize it as I want it. I think the price seems to be good to me..........any thoughts on that as well?

 

[shellbackdiver1]

My suggestion starts with the BC....ok here it comes...demo a bpw and then choose. Second change that 3 gauge "cluster" (you said it) to a SPG only (IST, Mares, OMS, Halcyon, DiveRite, SP they are all about 100US). Put your computer/BT and compass on your wrist so that you can always monitor your time and depth. Since your better half is going cavern and then probably cave and you in tow...should ensure that your reg set comes with the proper length hoses.

If your LDS is like family then they will sell what is needed and not what makes the most profit.

 

[Pearldiver07]

My suggestion starts with the BC....ok here it comes...demo a bpw and then choose. Second change that 3 gauge "cluster" (you said it) to a SPG only (IST, Mares, OMS, Halcyon, DiveRite, SP they are all about 100US). Put your computer/BT and compass on your wrist so that you can always monitor your time and depth. Since your better half is going cavern and then probably cave and you in tow...should ensure that your reg set comes with the proper length hoses.

If your LDS is like family then they will sell what is needed and not what makes the most profit.

First, the deals sound pretty good. Remember that Scubapro strictly limits what discounts can be applied. And I am a HUGE fan of the Mk25/G250 combo (I still use an original 250).

I very much agree with shellbackdiver1 on not getting the gauge console (cluster). Since your wife is looking at overhead environments, and you'll probably be following at some point, set up ONCE correctly. And if she is seriously considering anything past cavern diving, the BCD will be replaced, if not augmented by, a back plate w/ wings. Nothing stings more than re-buying gear.

Don't get me wrong, I still own a Glide Plus BCD for teaching rec classes, and I like it. But unless you work in a dive shop or teach, get incredible discounts, and approach this as "he who dies with the most toys wins" attitude, do you really want a whole lot of redundant gear?

 

[jsquaredFL]

First off, thank you for the fabulous responses. Sorry about the "cluster" remark, its been a long night and my flying days came back to me, won't happen again

I will look into changing to an SPG from a console. I like to have my computer on my wrist and my better half told me should would rather not because she's new and doesn't want to feel "cluttered."

She won't dive without me so she wanted to take the cavern class to get into limited overhead environments so I told her about the BP&W setups and we tried a back inflation unit and she despised it. I can safely say that the 99% of the diving we will do will be open water recreational in souther Florida and for the cavern experience she plans on renting the gear from the LDS.

I definitely want to avoid having redundant gear, I guess I'll try to get her to use the gear one more time before selling off the idea of a BP&W setup.

 

[Trixxie]

First, the deals sound pretty good. Remember that Scubapro strictly limits what discounts can be applied. And I am a HUGE fan of the Mk25/G250 combo (I still use an original 250).

I very much agree with shellbackdiver1 on not getting the gauge console (cluster). Since your wife is looking at overhead environments, and you'll probably be following at some point, set up ONCE correctly. And if she is seriously considering anything past cavern diving, the BCD will be replaced, if not augmented by, a back plate w/ wings. Nothing stings more than re-buying gear.

Don't get me wrong, I still own a Glide Plus BCD for teaching rec classes, and I like it. But unless you work in a dive shop or teach, get incredible discounts, and approach this as "he who dies with the most toys wins" attitude, do you really want a whole lot of redundant gear?

I 2nd that - I bought a Kaila mares BC late 2006, still relatively new but am wanting to sell to get a BP/W. I waited and waited to get my reg as I didn't want to get one only to end up wishing I had gotten something else. Had no idea I would be doing cavern and wanting to do full cave when I bought my new BC and Tusa IQ700 3 gauge console in 2006. But if you or your fiance are already thinking about doing cavern/cave and haven't bought gear then get something that is conducive to that type of diving. I turned my IQ700 3 gauge console into a wrist mount and am getting a brass pressure gauge for my new regulator set up MK25/600 DIN.

safe diving

 

[Scared Silly]

Not specifically brought up but because you are looking at overhead environments you should get regs with DIN and then get a DIN to Yoke adaptor.

 

[Trixxie]

Not specifically brought up but because you are looking at overhead environments you should get regs with DIN and then get a DIN to Yoke adaptor.

Actually the better route is getting a yoke 1st stage with a DIN adapter - I think it works out to be a bit less expensive and plus when you put the yoke adapter on the DIN it's longer than a plain yoke regulator. We just swapped a yoke reg out last weekend and put a DIN fitting on it.

for what it's worth.....

 

[Scared Silly]

Actually the better route is getting a yoke 1st stage with a DIN adapter - I think it works out to be a bit less expensive and plus when you put the yoke adapter on the DIN it's longer than a plain yoke regulator. We just swapped a yoke reg out last weekend and put a DIN fitting on it.

for what it's worth.....

Unfortunately, it is not. True that it is longer when using a DIN-to-Yoke converter but going the opposite means an extra connection point and o-ring which means a extra point of failure while in an overhead environment. Think about whacking the reg while in an overhead environment. A reg failure is not an option in an overhead environment whereas in open water where one would use a din-to-yoke the consequences are not as great.

Also if you worried about the extra length there are regs that can be one or the other without a converter.

As for cost, Din-to-Yoke converters can be had for $25.

 

[Trixxie]

hmmm maybe talking about 2 different things? We took a yoke reg last weekend and put a din fitting on it (turned into a DIN regulator) - they took the yoke off. does that still have the extra O ring?

 

[Scared Silly]

Without looking what I am guessing what was done was the yoke nut was removed along with the yoke. Then a Yoke-to-DIN adapter was screwed on. If so on the inside of the adapter is an o-ring - this oring is the same oring that is used on a cylinder valve and provides a mating surface. I did this for one of my regs years ago when I live and dived in France. Recently, I noticed that some mfg do this and call it DIN. But it really has been adapter to DIN.

To fully convert to DIN the threaded portion that the yoke slides over and the yoke screws to is also removed from the body of the reg. The DIN assembly is then screwed directly into the body. At this point it is truly DIN and with one less connection and o-ring. It also sits closer to the valve.