Recommended equipment

[ekiledjian]

Hello all,

I am a PADI certified Open Water Diver and have about a dozen dives done thus far. I quickly realized that renting certain pieces of equipment may be easy but far from the best option (fit, knowledge of the rig, etc).

For a casual recreational diver that has decided to only do warm water diving (nothing under 20 degrees celsisus), what would you recommend as equipment (BC, 1st stage, second stage, octopus, gages, 3mm warm water wet suit, etc).

This is a great board and thank you all for your comments ahead of time.

Ed :11:

 

[Gary D.]

Hello all,

I am a PADI certified Open Water Diver and have about a dozen dives done thus far. I quickly realized that renting certain pieces of equipment may be easy but far from the best option (fit, knowledge of the rig, etc).

For a casual recreational diver that has decided to only do warm water diving (nothing under 20 degrees celsisus), what would you recommend as equipment (BC, 1st stage, second stage, octopus, gages, 3mm warm water wet suit, etc).

This is a great board and thank you all for your comments ahead of time.

Ed :11:

We can sit here and give you all the recomendations in the world and all we will do is confuse you worse.

Get what fits, what's comfortable, what you can operate with ease and what you can afford. It's as simple as that. Keep notes on what you have used already and go from there.

Gary D.

 

[ThatsMe]

We can sit here and give you all the recomendations in the world and all we will do is confuse you worse.

Get what fits, what's comfortable, what you can operate with ease and what you can afford. It's as simple as that. Keep notes on what you have used already and go from there.

Gary D.

cant add to that! Best answer you will get right there..

 

[ekiledjian]

We can sit here and give you all the recomendations in the world and all we will do is confuse you worse.

Get what fits, what's comfortable, what you can operate with ease and what you can afford. It's as simple as that. Keep notes on what you have used already and go from there.

Gary D.

I am looking at the regulators (1st stage, 2nd and octopus) and the choices are increadible. I want something I can use for Air with the option of using EAN when I do my certification (I guess up to 40% at most). Something easy to operated yet proven and reliable. I will never do technical diving or other complex gases (i.e. Trimix,etc).

What brand? Which model?

Thanks

Ed :06:

 

[Gary D.]

I am looking at the regulators (1st stage, 2nd and octopus) and the choices are increadible. I want something I can use for Air with the option of using EAN when I do my certification (I guess up to 40% at most). Something easy to operated yet proven and reliable. I will never do technical diving or other complex gases (i.e. Trimix,etc).

What brand? Which model?

Thanks

Ed :06:

OK, I'm partial to the trucks and not sports cars which make it Sherwood all the way around. I like the Maximus and the Shadow as does my entire team.

http://www.sherwoodscuba.com/regulators.html

Stand by for the confusion;^)

Gary D.

 

[scuba_frog]

Ed - I had the same question a couple months ago. Because your regs are your life support, you really need to feel comfortable and confident with them. I recently purchased the Mares Proton MR12 and love them. I got the 1st and 2nd stage and octo. They are self adjusting and very easy to breathe through.

If you want to spend a little more money, go ahead and buy your BC and weights. To me this is your next comfort zone. If you have kept track of what you have rented in the past, you should have a pretty good idea of what you want.

The last thing I would buy IMHO is an exposure suit. But you have to do what fits your budget.

 

[STOGEY]

I'm a relatively new diver myself. However, I've tried many bc's. out there. If the bc. didn't fit or feel just right then I didn't have the confidance in the rest of my eqipment, even if they'd be the top of the line. Once I got my own bc everything else became secondary.

 

[String]

Ask 100 people for advice on dive equipment and you'll get 101 different answers.

Oh, except "DONT BUY A HUB". I suspect most will agree on that

 

[theskull]

Most any of today's gear will serve you well in warm water, so don't get hung up on brands. Buy what is available locally so that getting it serviced will be easy and affordable.

BC--Look for comfort and fit, with easy to reach and operate inflator and dump valves, and the D-rings where you want them (typically, at least one on each shoulder and on the left hip).
Regulator--Spend as much as you are willing to on the first and primary second stage and you will enjoy how much more easily a great one breathes for many years to come.
Wetsuit--You want good quality neoprene and good work on the seams, and you will be more comfortable if you get one of the newer hyperstretch-type materials. A lining, such as gold core or titanium, etc. will be easier to don and doff and will dry faster between dives.

Don't stress over the simple gear issues. Just get some guidance from a regular dive buddy or a shop owner whom you trust and get started. Happy diving to you.

theskull

 

[Poseidon8118]

I hope you decide to continue your PADI education and not just rely on an Open Water Diver certification. Do you plan on taking a nitrox course in the future, wreck or photography? You may want to look at the technical side of diving, i.e. nitrox compatible regulators, and tank, or tech B.C. You shouldn't be asking us the questions you should be asking yourself the questions: What kind of diving do I want to do in the future: warm, cold, nitrox, wreck, night, navigation, rescue? How far do I want to go in my education? Choose by fit, comfort, and then, price.

My Gear is as follows:

Regs: Sherwood Maximus, Minimus (early 90's model), Scubapro G250-MK20
BC: Scubapro Finseal (early 90's), Scubapro Glide
Fins: Original Scubapro Seawings, Scubpro Jets (late 80's)
Suits: Harveys Custom 1/4", US divers 2-3ml, body lycra
Dive Computer: Orca Skinny Dipper 2 (late 80's) Yes still works perfectly!
Gauges: Scubapro VIP (late 80's), and Dacor 2 gauge (80's)
Tanks: 2 Luxfer 80's with USD valve
Masks & Snorkel: USD Hawaii 2, Impulse: Sherwood Magnum 4, Semi dry.

I like my Scuba like I like my coffee... BLACK!

If you buy something of quality it lasts a long time, hence, the dates.

Use this as a guide not a shopping list!