Recommendations for scuba package

[WarriorWolf]

Hello,

I finished my first dive with a rental equipment. And now, I want to buy the scuba gear from joedivers.com for $620.


Mares Spirit Jacket Style Buoyancy Compensator at JoeDiverAmerica.com BCD
Mares Prestige 12S Scuba Regulator at JoeDiverAmerica.com regulator
Mares MV (Safe Second) Regulator Octopus at JoeDiverAmerica.com octopus
Mares Mission 2D Gauge Console at JoeDiverAmerica.com gauge

1. The BCD is OK.
2. I want to know about the regulator, it should be light. Also, it should perform very good because it's diaphragm. My question, is it balanced in both stages ? Second question, does it support nitrox ?
3. The octopus is OK.
4. I think I need 3D gauge, where I asked the trainer and he answered me that I need 2D gauge. Because, I think the compass is very necessary.


Thank you,

 

[RJP]

1.) Where do you intend to dive?
2.) What kind of diving do you intend to do?

You the BCD is "OK" but why do you think that? It's a jacket style, which many people don't care for... though many do. Back-inflate style is very popular and those who prefer that style do by a wide margin.

You ask if the reg is OK for nitrox. The website you point to says "no" although I cannot imagine why that'd be the case up to 40% anyway.
The second stage is not balanced, and has no diver-tunable controls.

The Octo seems fine.

As to compass, it comes down to whether you want it on the console or seperate. If I dove a console I would NOT want the compass part of it. I'd prefer to have a separate compass that I could bring with me - or not - as a particular dive warranted.

 

[SubMariner]

Hello,

I finished my first dive with a rental equipment. And now, I want to buy the scuba gear from joedivers.com for $620.


Mares Spirit Jacket Style Buoyancy Compensator at JoeDiverAmerica.com BCD
Mares Prestige 12S Scuba Regulator at JoeDiverAmerica.com regulator
Mares MV (Safe Second) Regulator Octopus at JoeDiverAmerica.com octopus
Mares Mission 2D Gauge Console at JoeDiverAmerica.com gauge

1. The BCD is OK.
2. I want to know about the regulator, it should be light. Also, it should perform very good because it's diaphragm. My question, is it balanced in both stages ? Second question, does it support nitrox ?
3. The octopus is OK.
4. I think I need 3D gauge, where I asked the trainer and he answered me that I need 2D gauge. Because, I think the compass is very necessary.


Thank you,

The only gear I would "own" at your stage of diving would be my mask, snorkel, booties, and fins. RENT everything else until you see how much diving you'll be doing.

 

[WarriorWolf]

First I want to thank you guys for the nice replies

1.) Where do you intend to dive?
2.) What kind of diving do you intend to do?

You the BCD is "OK" but why do you think that? It's a jacket style, which many people don't care for... though many do. Back-inflate style is very popular and those who prefer that style do by a wide margin.

You ask if the reg is OK for nitrox. The website you point to says "no" although I cannot imagine why that'd be the case up to 40% anyway.
The second stage is not balanced, and has no diver-tunable controls.

The Octo seems fine.

As to compass, it comes down to whether you want it on the console or seperate. If I dove a console I would NOT want the compass part of it. I'd prefer to have a separate compass that I could bring with me - or not - as a particular dive warranted.

1. In Saudi Arabia, most southwest, tropical weather mostly.
2. Open water, as I didn't finish the course. And planning for friendly dives, and also outside the country; like USA.
I know it's better to get rental equipment when I want to dive in other countries, and I also prefer to have my own gear.

Regarding to the BCD, because it has economical price. Where I don't have practical experience about the back-inflate.
So, I don't know if it's better than the jacket style.

I think to change the BCD style.

Yeah .. you're right, most recent regs are nitrox compatible.

I want to know if 1st and 2nd stages should all balanced diaphragm or only the 1st should be balanced.

The octopus has a very good price, and of course should perform very well.

You're right, I figured that it's better to buy a separate one.

The only gear I would "own" at your stage of diving would be my mask, snorkel, booties, and fins. RENT everything else until you see how much diving you'll be doing.

Well, in the first dive, the rental equipment isn't very good. The regulator is tough on my mouth and BC is fairly large.

 

[RJP]

Regarding to the BCD, because it has economical price.

The easiest way to waste money a lot of money in scuba diving is by getting "a good deal" on the wrong gear.

Where I don't have practical experience about the back-inflate.
So, I don't know if it's better than the jacket style.

Pretty straightforward difference, having to do with where the aircell and/or "bulk" of the BCD is located:

Jacket-style has air cell - and bulk - all around you. Like a jacket. See the side "pockets" on the Mares. When you add air to the BCD the jacket will have a tendency to squeeze you:

Compare that to something like the Mares Pegasus. You'll see that it has just weight pockets on the sides, and the air cell is completely on the back. Accordingly, when you inflate it, there's no squeeze.

Well, in the first dive, the rental equipment isn't very good. The regulator is tough on my mouth and BC is fairly large..

When you say "BCD is fairly large" I'm not sure if you mean "it's the wrong size" or "it's big and bulky." Either way, you can go a step further within the back-inflate category, and look at some of the back-inflate models that are marketed as "travel" BCDs. See how clean the area in front of and on the sides of the diver would be; a benefit both in the suitcase and in the water...

The thing that most recreational divers don't consider when buying a jacket style is exactly where the air in your BCD - and therefore the aircell - should be while you're diving. It's not around your waist/sides, but rather on your back...

You should also note the the Spirit is NOT weight integrated... so you will need to wear a weightbelt. Not a huge issue, but that's one of the reasons it's less expensive than others.

 

[azmodan50]

The thing that most recreational divers don't consider when buying a jacket style is exactly where the air in your BCD - and therefore the aircell - should be while you're diving. It's not around your waist/sides, but rather on your back...

The aircell in a jacket style is the whole thing. When you are diving, the air goes to your back anyways. And I find it much easier to float face up on the surface with a jacket style.

 

[RJP]

And I find it much easier to float face up on the surface with a jacket style.

Not knocking your choice, but...

• In 10 years of diving, DM'ing, instructing and crewing on a boat I've never seen anyone in a back-inflate forced "face down" on the surface
• The handful of folks I've met who do claim to feel "pushed forward" are almost universally over-inflating the cell, I guess in an attempt to get themselves high out of the water. In doing so the BCD rides up (esp with no crotch-strap) and can set you off balance. This is easily corrected by simply not over-inflating the BCD.

Another way to manage "vertical" trim at the surface - whether you're using a jacket or back inflate BCD - is through using the non-ditchable weight pockets that many BCDs have.

I can't tell you how many divers I see who cram 18-20lbs of lead into the ditch-able weight pockets around their waist... while they've got pockets behind them that will hold 10lbs on their backs. Putting the wing up behind your shoulders will certainly tip a diver forward... if they've got 20lbs of lead in front of them and down around their waist.

Move 10lbs to your back... and up around the aircell (and your lungs) and you'll be fine at the surface AND most likely have better trim in the water too!

 

[azmodan50]

I understand all that. But in 20 years of wearing a jacket style BCD, I have never found a need or a want for a back inflate. When I am diving, all the air in my BC goes to my back anyways. I don't know what "squeeze" people would get either unless they over-inflate. The only drawback I think the jacket style has is that it is more difficult to remove and replace.

I do however see more new divers flopping around in a back inflate, because of the issues you mentioned, then I do in a jacket style. In the end, it all comes down to what you feel comfortable in and what works for you

 

[Damselfish]

It appears you're not certified yet. Most people will say it's usually best to wait until you are at least finished with your class to buy anything big like a BC or reg. You will learn more about gear and your own preferences. You have already learned something - you say the rental BC is too big - now you know how important fit is. Thing is, if you buy something online you have not had a chance to at least try on, you don't know if it's going to fit any better. For the purposes of your class, it would be better to try and get the right size rental from your shop.

You also say the rental reg is tough on your mouth - why do you think that is? You mention wanting it to be light. But when you're in the water the weight isn't really going to be noticeable, so I doubt that's your problem. Perhaps something about the mouthpiece bothers your mouth, in which case you might be better off just buying a mouthpiece you like for now and temporarily putting it on your rental gear (just carry extra zip ties with you.) Or maybe as a new diver you're a bit nervous and biting down hard on the mouthpiece. If that's the case a new reg of your own won't fix it, what you need to do is be more aware of it and try not to do it. Or maybe you've got a tender mouth and just aren't used to this thing in your mouth - only a little time will fix that, not buying a reg. Maybe the hose is stiff or arranged in a way that causes it to pull. Again, it's the sort of thing you need to understand why it bothers you before you can fix it.

Take the time while you're still finishing class to read lots more about different sorts of gear, then you will be able to make a better decision for yourself. While there is lots of good info on this board, it can also be confusing. People like what they like and will pull out whichever argument supports their choice. Many also tend to look at gear choices more from their point of view than yours, so you have to figure which advice really applies to you.

If you buy a gear package where someone else has mostly decided on the parts for you - a year from now you might actually like it and find it suits your needs just fine. Or as you learn more you might decide little or none of it is what you really want. The advantage of a cheap gear package is, if you decide you hate it all you won't have wasted as much money as you would have on an expensive gear package it turns out you hate. Getting something inexpensive to dive and learn with that you might want to change out soon isn't always a bad thing, it's just good to realize that's how it might end up and be ok with that.

Some places you dive you will not use a compass at all, some places it will be a little useful, and some places you will really need it. As far as having it in a console, or on your wrist, or someplace else like a slate or clipped to your BC - there is no one right answer to that. Again, you need to read peoples reasons for why they do what they do, and decide which apply to you.

 

[WarriorWolf]

The easiest way to waste money a lot of money in scuba diving is by getting "a good deal" on the wrong gear.

Pretty straightforward difference, having to do with where the aircell and/or "bulk" of the BCD is located:
Jacket-style has air cell - and bulk - all around you. Like a jacket. See the side "pockets" on the Mares. When you add air to the BCD the jacket will have a tendency to squeeze you

Compare that to something like the Mares Pegasus. You'll see that it has just weight pockets on the sides, and the air cell is completely on the back. Accordingly, when you inflate it, there's no squeeze.

Yeah .. I'm seeing the back-inflate would be fine.
I was thinking that the Mares jacket would be more better than the one I got from rental system. Because of the size, and since you recommending the back-inflate, I thought it would be better as also the aircell looking to have the most influence on the back which I think would work good to me.

When you say "BCD is fairly large" I'm not sure if you mean "it's the wrong size" or "it's big and bulky." Either way, you can go a step further within the back-inflate category, and look at some of the back-inflate models that are marketed as "travel" BCDs. See how clean the area in front of and on the sides of the diver would be; a benefit both in the suitcase and in the water...

Fairly large .. I mean bulky I think it was medium or large which are not my sizes.

You should also note the the Spirit is NOT weight integrated... so you will need to wear a weightbelt. Not a huge issue, but that's one of the reasons it's less expensive than others.

I liked the octopus holder at one of the sides, did not think about more important features like air location which I think it affects you balancing underwater.
Thanks,