There are lots of Texas Swamp Divers... this is really a great idea.
Safety or Oversale
- Thread starter RTC'83
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Stick with a PDC... You can find a pelagic for under $350 (Oceanic or Aqualung).
I offer to my students to dive in my recreational gear (the only time I'm not in sidemount or doubles) post certification so they get a feel for a BP/W, good regs, and so on. Not every instructor does this, but I think it is good for the student and therefore the industry. Though sometimes the result isn't what I expected. Me: "how did you like the backplate and wing?" Student: "I don't know but I want a regulator just like this one!" (the shop I previously taught at, now closed, had the most horrible regs that were like breathing from a flattened straw - increased the anxiety of some students). He didn't even notice the effect on trim, just that he didn't struggle to breath.
I hope the OP may consider getting certified at home. Hopefully he can also dive with the instructor who certifies him to try out his/her gear.
Whenever a scuba shop tells you that ABC is expensive but it is life-support gear so it is worth it, walk away.
ALL the equipment from reputable manufactures is safe. Some is higher quality, may breath better, may last longer. may have some cool features, may look better, etc, but it should be sold on that basis and not on some life-support BS.
Not that I feel strongly about this.
ALL the equipment from reputable manufactures is safe. Some is higher quality, may breath better, may last longer. may have some cool features, may look better, etc, but it should be sold on that basis and not on some life-support BS.
Not that I feel strongly about this.
Lower priced computers like the Suunto Zoop I use are every bit as safe as $1000 computers. You might get more features and tech abilities in higher priced models, but for a 1 tank 1 gas mix recreational dive you won't get more "Safety".
The Mare puck or aqualung i300 are other low priced but safe computers
My Mini review of zoop - setup and memory interface is a pain but for actual diving it it all automatic once it gets wet. One issue - if using nitrox, set you mix shortly before the dive and not at the start of a long boat ride as the Zoop resets to 21% if you don't dive within 2 hours. All of that applies to the original. I have never tried the novo model.
The Mare puck or aqualung i300 are other low priced but safe computers
My Mini review of zoop - setup and memory interface is a pain but for actual diving it it all automatic once it gets wet. One issue - if using nitrox, set you mix shortly before the dive and not at the start of a long boat ride as the Zoop resets to 21% if you don't dive within 2 hours. All of that applies to the original. I have never tried the novo model.
OP
RTC'83
Contributor
Great advice, thank you'll
Although some of the high end gear suggested is awesome there is no need for that when unless you want all the bells and whistles. A simple Zoop or Leonardo from Cressi is enough computer for 99% of diving. I am a tech instructor and also dive regularly - my everyday computer cost less than $300- most of my staff also dive inexpensive computers and they work fine. I prefer a rear inflate BC- many BP/Ws are a good deal but if you are going to be traveling a lot you might want to opt for a lighter travel BC- there are numerous ones on the market- one of my favorites is the DiveRite Travel BC. Regulators is where I would spend a little money - a good balanced system is what you will want - again I favor the Dive Rite XTs- great regs, robust and will not break the bank. I would stay away from the gimmicks and stick with good solid stuff- for regs I have had great luck with Aqualungs also along with the DiveRites, Cressi also makes some good regs at a good price.
Anything you would use on a reef dive is fine for a drift dive later.
Just make sure the dive computer can handle nitrox but most can.
I have a zoop and a scubapro hockey puck computer. Got the zoop in a emergency (my other computer (Ares) flooded and I had several days of diving ahead). The zoop has two irritating features for me. Diving nitrox in the 70-90 range on dive 1 the two computers are very close. it is very conservative on dive 2. We are talking 10-15 minutes sometimes. Secondly it does not hold the nitrox settings between dive trips. So every day I go diving I have to reset it. Since I usually have the same mix that is a small nuisance but a nuisance. Its been a reliable computer but now it is just my get me home safe if my other computer dies computer. On dive 1 the two computers are very close. Note: I never put my other computer in deco, I know how to dive my zoop if it claims I owe a little deco, I have plenty of air. I also like the infrared download feature of the scubapro as opposed to the ZOOP cable.
Just make sure the dive computer can handle nitrox but most can.
I have a zoop and a scubapro hockey puck computer. Got the zoop in a emergency (my other computer (Ares) flooded and I had several days of diving ahead). The zoop has two irritating features for me. Diving nitrox in the 70-90 range on dive 1 the two computers are very close. it is very conservative on dive 2. We are talking 10-15 minutes sometimes. Secondly it does not hold the nitrox settings between dive trips. So every day I go diving I have to reset it. Since I usually have the same mix that is a small nuisance but a nuisance. Its been a reliable computer but now it is just my get me home safe if my other computer dies computer. On dive 1 the two computers are very close. Note: I never put my other computer in deco, I know how to dive my zoop if it claims I owe a little deco, I have plenty of air. I also like the infrared download feature of the scubapro as opposed to the ZOOP cable.
K
KeithG
Guest
Resort diving with the kids. Awesome! I present a contrary opinion. It is just an opinion...
How many dives do you plan to do each year?
How many trips each year?
How many dives each trip?
How many dives each day of a trip?
If you really are only going resort diving in Mexico then you will not have any need for a computer. You will do 1 or maybe 2 dives a day and maybe 6 each trip? they will be shallow and short. Just use tables.
At the most all you will need is a rash guard. Rent everything else for the first 50 dives and spend that time learning about gear and then make a decision about owning gear.
How many dives do you plan to do each year?
How many trips each year?
How many dives each trip?
How many dives each day of a trip?
If you really are only going resort diving in Mexico then you will not have any need for a computer. You will do 1 or maybe 2 dives a day and maybe 6 each trip? they will be shallow and short. Just use tables.
At the most all you will need is a rash guard. Rent everything else for the first 50 dives and spend that time learning about gear and then make a decision about owning gear.
Well you can have 70 ft dives or deeper in mexico.
Maybe it is just me. I will rent a wetsuit, BCD, fins. But I like to have my regs and my computer so I know what I have and how it works and have practiced on it.
Not having a computer sounds like doing only trust me dives. Not the best way to learn in my opinion.
Plus I like to computerize my ascents.
Maybe it is just me. I will rent a wetsuit, BCD, fins. But I like to have my regs and my computer so I know what I have and how it works and have practiced on it.
Not having a computer sounds like doing only trust me dives. Not the best way to learn in my opinion.
Plus I like to computerize my ascents.
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