Please aid me in my pursuit of purchasing gear

[Jarred.McCarty]

I was recently Open Water certified, and used gear provided by the instructor. I however am deeply interested in buying my own gear for future adventures. I am starting completely from scratch. I am living on a college student's income and plan on buying 1 piece at the time so that I can research each piece individually and make the most informed decision. So, I am wondering as to what brands everyone recommends, whereas I am interested in a good deal I want gear that will last for years to come and don't want to buy something that is going to quit working halfway through a dive.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Let's start with where you're going to be diving, what temperature ranges, conditions, etc.
What type of gear did you use for your open water, do you remember any brand names?
How were you configured? What type of equipment was it as far as fins, BCD, computer? console w/ regular gauges? wetsuit? did you have an octopuss or an alternate air source on your BC inflater hose?
What agency did you get certified through?

All dive gear is going to be pretty good and will last a long time if it's taken care of.
The only problems that could see coming up are maybe with some used gear or some really cheap off brand stuff, but if you stick with mainline brands there really isn't any horrible gear that will stop working halfway through a dive, except maybe some lights.

We need to know a little more as far as your budget, and like I said before, where you'll be diving, the type of diving, temps, conditions, etc.

 

[Jarred.McCarty]

I will be diving mostly in the Southern states and just off the coast of Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, etc... So I guess that the temp will be around 60-70's. If I remember correctly we used a lot of Sherwood equipment. We used mask with snorkel, 7mm(farmer john) wet suit, BCD, weight belt(which by the way I absolutely hate because I have no butt to keep it from sliding down causing me to have to readjust several times or risk losing it to the depths), booties, fins, console with regular gauges, and an octopus reg system. The agency I was certified through was PADI. As far as budget constraints go I'll spend whatever needs to be spent to get good gear it just may take me a bit to save up, but if at all possible I'd like to keep it in the ballpark of $1500. I plan to eventually get to certified to Master Scuba Diver so i need gear that can handle anything that getting there may throw at it.

 

[g1138]

Well for starters, get your skin gear and wetsuit first.
Next you'll want to purchase a BC, Reg (primary and Octo/Air 2), and nitrox capable computer (so you have options when working towards Master Diver).
Since the 3 go hand in hand you'll probably be better off purchasing all 3 at the same time.
If you can't afford it then it'll be up to you to decide which to get first, Reg w/ computer
or BC first.

As for what style (jacket, back-inflate, Bp/W), brand, model etc etc
all that's personal preference.
Really any gear you get from the brand names (Mares, Sherwood, Scubapro, Aqualung, Hog, Halycon etc etc) will last you a lifetime if you maintain it and rinse it well.
Buying used isn't bad either, provided you get it off the board (I trust most members here) or are able to inspect it yourself before purchasing it. (ie. craigslist)
With all used gear you'll also want to get it checked out by your LDS before diving with it.

You should try out different styles of BC's before making a purchase, you may find you like one style a whole lot more than others.
However since most shops won't rent out Bp/W here's a recent post where someone asked about it. It'll give you some background.
Bp/W Post

 

[Bossman]

All of the name brands make good gear for your pursuit. I'm partial to Zeagle, Scubapro, and Halcyon if you ever get into tech or prefer a backplate/wing.

You may want to consider used gear, if you look hard enough you can find barely used gear at half off the list. It's nice to buy everything new, but just like a car six months later its used, no new anymore. So you're paying twice as much to open a box and take off the plastic, after a few uses there's no difference.

The classifieds on here are pretty good if you watch them daily.

 

[Jarred.McCarty]

Are there any site that anyone knows of that lists the pros and cons of the different gear. For example a site that lists the pros and cons of the Scubapro Seahawk BCD?

 

[fisheater]

Are there any site that anyone knows of that lists the pros and cons of the different gear. For example a site that lists the pros and cons of the Scubapro Seahawk BCD?

Scubaboard does all that.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Are there any site that anyone knows of that lists the pros and cons of the different gear. For example a site that lists the pros and cons of the Scubapro Seahawk BCD?

You might want to try Rodale's Scuba Diving. They have a gear review section.

I'm sorry I can't help you with those types of units. I haven't used a jacket style or integrated back inflate type BC in years.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Scubaboard does all that.

Yeah but the noise to signal ratio is pretty high when it comes to BC's.
Inevitably, it always ends up in a poop throwing contest that can derail the whole thread.
I figured he'd get a better review at a neutral source.

 

[fisheater]

Yep.

But that's what you'll find anywhere you ask the question "which is the 'best'?"