Michael Guerrero
Contributor
FBB,
I'm making this exact transition right now. I called up a shop and ordered a bunch of stuff and asked for a discount. I would do that if you're going to buy a lot of gear at once, which tech kind of requires. Here's the list as follows, and you can look on John Chatterton's or Richie Kohler's site to see some of the equipment they'd expect you to have depending on the training you want to do. Other instructors should be similar.
Backplate and Wing (for doubles): $400+ (depending if you build it yourself or just buy one, I'm assembling mine)
Regulators (4 1st and 4 2nd stages, 2 sets for doubles, 2 sets for deco): $800 (HOG D1s, currently on sale)
Reel (300'): $30 - $50 for traditional reel, $150+ for side-wind
Finger Spool (100'+): $25
Cutting tools (2 - 3): $100 - 130 (shears, knives, etc.)
Lights (I use hand-held LED, not cannister, and you should have 3): $250+ depending on who you buy from
Lift Bag (50#): $50
SMB (2 x 6'): $50
Strobes (2+ for Wreck Pen): $60+
Tech Fins (Jets, HOGs, Hollis, OMS, etc.): $130+ (I have some XL jet fins on sale here for $80 w/ spring straps in the classified section ;^)
Hoses (7', 22" or 24", drysuit inflator if needed): $40+
Technical Computer: $1K+ (may be able to get away with not having a tech computer but I wouldn't. You're going to dive a pre-planned profile created by V-Planner or something, but having the computer to back you up if things go wrong is important)
If you aren't going to be doing a ton of it right away or nearby, I would just rent the doubles. Otherwise they can run you up to $1K for 2 HP steel 100s w/ manifold, bands, etc. I would try and get them used with recent hydro if you're planning on buy them, but really I would just rent until you decide tech is really for you and have enough opportunities to use them.
I assume you have weights and an exposure suit. If not, you'd need to buy those as well, and if you want a drysuit it will likely be at least $1000 if not $1500, unless you can get a used one from a buddy.
The training classes are anywhere from $500 to $1000 each or so, and that's only the class, materials, and probably the dives. Room, board, travel are all extra if you have to incur them. You would need to figure out what you want to do too. If you want to do deco, then you need basic nitrox (SDI or whomever), then Advanced Nitrox and Deco Procedures (TDI). These seem often to be done together. If you want to do wreck penetration, you need your basic wreck (barely useful PADI, SDI, whatever), then you can do the Advanced Wreck Penetration.
Technical Diving means deeper that 130', decompression diving, cave or wreck penetration, or any combination thereof. My plan is to start with adv nitrox/deco, then do Wreck Penetration.
If you are buying gear and want some sites for inexpensive stuff let me know. Some brands are just crazy expensive for a nominal improvement if any.
Mike
I'm making this exact transition right now. I called up a shop and ordered a bunch of stuff and asked for a discount. I would do that if you're going to buy a lot of gear at once, which tech kind of requires. Here's the list as follows, and you can look on John Chatterton's or Richie Kohler's site to see some of the equipment they'd expect you to have depending on the training you want to do. Other instructors should be similar.
Backplate and Wing (for doubles): $400+ (depending if you build it yourself or just buy one, I'm assembling mine)
Regulators (4 1st and 4 2nd stages, 2 sets for doubles, 2 sets for deco): $800 (HOG D1s, currently on sale)
Reel (300'): $30 - $50 for traditional reel, $150+ for side-wind
Finger Spool (100'+): $25
Cutting tools (2 - 3): $100 - 130 (shears, knives, etc.)
Lights (I use hand-held LED, not cannister, and you should have 3): $250+ depending on who you buy from
Lift Bag (50#): $50
SMB (2 x 6'): $50
Strobes (2+ for Wreck Pen): $60+
Tech Fins (Jets, HOGs, Hollis, OMS, etc.): $130+ (I have some XL jet fins on sale here for $80 w/ spring straps in the classified section ;^)
Hoses (7', 22" or 24", drysuit inflator if needed): $40+
Technical Computer: $1K+ (may be able to get away with not having a tech computer but I wouldn't. You're going to dive a pre-planned profile created by V-Planner or something, but having the computer to back you up if things go wrong is important)
If you aren't going to be doing a ton of it right away or nearby, I would just rent the doubles. Otherwise they can run you up to $1K for 2 HP steel 100s w/ manifold, bands, etc. I would try and get them used with recent hydro if you're planning on buy them, but really I would just rent until you decide tech is really for you and have enough opportunities to use them.
I assume you have weights and an exposure suit. If not, you'd need to buy those as well, and if you want a drysuit it will likely be at least $1000 if not $1500, unless you can get a used one from a buddy.
The training classes are anywhere from $500 to $1000 each or so, and that's only the class, materials, and probably the dives. Room, board, travel are all extra if you have to incur them. You would need to figure out what you want to do too. If you want to do deco, then you need basic nitrox (SDI or whomever), then Advanced Nitrox and Deco Procedures (TDI). These seem often to be done together. If you want to do wreck penetration, you need your basic wreck (barely useful PADI, SDI, whatever), then you can do the Advanced Wreck Penetration.
Technical Diving means deeper that 130', decompression diving, cave or wreck penetration, or any combination thereof. My plan is to start with adv nitrox/deco, then do Wreck Penetration.
If you are buying gear and want some sites for inexpensive stuff let me know. Some brands are just crazy expensive for a nominal improvement if any.
Mike
