Respected budget brands?

[Blasto]

Just a suggestion that may get me in “hot water” with the local dive shops (!)- you can build a custom kit using discounted and highly rated (you want to look for BOTH criteria) components at Leisurepro. It is possible to get a full kit for less than $1500 there.

Whoa, $1.5k is in the range for a reasonable doubles kit.
An entry level singles kit can fit around $1k. You'll go over it if you go for nicer items, of course.

Give me your 1 or 2 most trusted brands if you have to buy the *cheapest* regs, bcd's, computers, etc.... Thanks

Let's go through this piece by piece.
Mask: Any black silicone mask that fits you will work the same. Low volume is better.
Fins: A piece of rubber/plastic. Comfort is the most important factor. Jet fins (favored in overhead diving) are a bit pricey, though.
Harness: Most are just standard 2" nylon webbing.
Plate: Get a metal one (Al for tropics, steel otherwise), all are good.
Wing: Just size it depending on your exposure suit thickness and tanks (steel or Al).
Wetsuit: It's a suit, as long as it fits - just get a scuba one, not a surface sports one. Drysuits are very much not the same though.
So brand is irrelevant for all of the above, just pick what suits you.

Regulators and computers are the only pieces where brand may be a deal-breaker.
For computers, ZHL-16 is the preferred algorithm. Mares can be troublesome. You ideally want something more long-term than a single-button, so Geo 2 is a good one. All in all this is an item to think about in depth.
Almost all modern brand-name regulators are at least very decent. You may want to consider a membrane over piston if you tend to dive in murkier waters. Otherwise modern pistons are good as well. Consider serviceability in your part of the world.

 

[ScottFL78]

Can't speak for vest or jacket style BCDs but a DIR type setup would be your cheapest and best regardless IMO. If interested in a single tank DIR type setup then:

For regulator, unless you want an octo and a gauge console, the Dive Rite set has to be the best value $599.00. DGX Custom - Dive Rite XT Streamlined OW Reg Package

For a backplate and wing setup this one can't be beat $299.00. DGX Custom - DGX Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package

I recommend supporting your local dive shop but I have the DGX wing because it is a good wing and good value.

 

[eelnoraa]

Can't speak for vest or jacket style BCDs but a DIR type setup would be your cheapest and best regardless IMO. If interested in a single tank DIR type setup then:

For regulator, unless you want an octo and a gauge console, the Dive Rite set has to be the best value $599.00. DGX Custom - Dive Rite XT Streamlined OW Reg Package

For a backplate and wing setup this one can't be beat $299.00. DGX Custom - DGX Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package

I recommend supporting your local dive shop but I have the DGX wing because it is a good wing and good value.

The regulator setup is NOT so DIR. For the bp/w, you should add crotch strap as well.

 

[ScottFL78]

The regulator setup is NOT so DIR. For the bp/w, you should add crotch strap as well.

Of course you need a crotch strap too. What makes the regs not DIR? Don't tell me the flex hoses. GUE allows them. I personally love them though I have since changed to a 7' primary hose.

 

[eelnoraa]

Of course you need a crotch strap too. What makes the regs not DIR? Don't tell me the flex hoses. GUE allows them. I personally love them though I have since changed to a 7' primary hose.

the link you have uses 40in for primary with 90 degree adaptor. as far as I know, you will need 5 or 7ft without adapter in the class.

 

[ScottFL78]

the link you have uses 40in for primary with 90 degree adaptor. as far as I know, you will need 5 or 7ft without adapter in the class.

You are correct. 5-7' for GUE. Wrong link.. Here it is, same price. 5' primary hose but you can upgrade to 84" for free. I simply had the LDS take the adapter off. DGX Custom - Dive Rite XT Single Tank Reg Package

 

[broncobowsher]

About as cheap as I would go on a reg set is a HOG.
Computer, the standard SB answer, Shearwater. I am sure there are other recreational computers out there. Been too long since I went shopping for budget bottom computers.

Heads up on Deep Sea Supply. They are moving locations this year. Production and supply are shut off until this fall. Expect chaos as they play catch up until the first of the year. At which point everything should be back to what it was.

For the most part, what you read above is all pretty sound.

I will tweak the wetsuit recommendation a little. In the 3mm range and shorties, anything will do. Once you start getting into the 5 and 7mm the fit starts becoming really important for the suit to work. Spend a few more bucks on a nicer suit with nicer (stretchier) materials that fits correctly. Make sure you get dive booties, not surf. There is a little extra tab of rubber on the back that is a fin keeper. Diving in surf booties sucks, they have rounded heals so you can feel the board. They roll the fin right off. I have a nice set of car wash booties now.

 

[AustinV]

I love that in a thread titled "Budget Brands" Shearwater has popped up.

But I will say this - as a new diver I bought a "budget" computer, one that I thought would be good enough for now. It was a Hollis DG03, it's a fine computer and is now my backup because within 10 dives I had a Shearwater Perdix. It's an impressive computer with a great interface, not overwhelming at all for new divers. Highly recommend. Used Perdixes (or even Petrel 2s which I believe still have the digital compass) can be found frequently on this site in the classifieds.

 

[Blasto]

I love that in a thread titled "Budget Brands" Shearwater has popped up.

It didn't. A guy didn't read the title, or did and decided to /ignore it anyway.

Even a used Petrel (forget Perdix) is generally well out of budget when it's short. And that's fine, because a Perdix ultimately works the same algo as AL i300. Comes with better UI and everything, but still, it's a (very) nice-to-have.

 

[kelemvor]

Since I've seen Scubapro mentioned, and I've had an interesting experience with them I will share it here.

Their regulators (specifically s600/mk25 as I own several of these) are great performing pieces of equipment. Scubapro does not stand by their "parts for life" program. Like all brands, they rely on a dealer network for service - so service quality is a gamble just like any company. I had them change the rules about their parts for life program several years after I bought my regulators and they basically told me to piss off when I complained. A warranty program on a $700 regulator isn't worth hiring a lawyer for in my book so I am stuck paying for parts during service.

It's not the end of the world, and I still like my regulators. However, I caution you to just basically ignore programs like this when you're looking at buying your stuff... unless you or your brother-in-law is a lawyer so you can ensure you get what you paid for.

If I was looking for inexpensive regs, I'd probably be looking for HOG or Deep6. Also, some brands have deep discounts throughout the year.

There aren't really any regulator brands that are "bad". Make sure you get a balanced reg. After that, features are just mostly a personal preference thing.

Poseidon uses an unusually shaped purge button that can be a huge advantage if you're swimming against a strong current. Atomic makes regulators that have a first stage which seals its-self to reduce the chance you'll get water in it. Several brands such as Scubapro have first stages that "rotate" making it easier to arrange your hoses in a pleasing manner. There really is no single brand that is the be-all and end-all of "best of the best."

Another factor that's VERY important. Regulators have to be serviced every year or two. What brands have a service center in your local neck of the woods? It kind of sucks to have to mail your regulator across the country every year for servicing...

Personally, if I were regulator shopping right now I would be looking mostly at Poseidon and Atomic Aquatics. They're both fairly expensive brands though.