Scuba Equipment Purchase

[deantorgersen]

I have been renting my bcd and regulators in the Phillipines everytime I dive. I am certified as a rescue diver and plan on doing my dive master course in the near future. Its time to purchase a new bcd and regulator. I will be traveling alot to dive since I live in Minnesota and my wife is from the Phillipines.

Good bouyancy going over the reefs, travel, comfort, reliability and easy breathing are important to me.

Whats the difference, bouyancy ect. between a jacket/vest type bcd and a back inflated one.

I appreciate any advice and info you can offer. Thanks in advance.

I am also planning on diving Palau in March at a land base diving center if anyone has any info on that

Thanks your advice is appreciated

Dean Torgersen
Duluth Minnesota

 

[Jorgy]

I dive a small BP/W combo as my travel rig....so I am fan of back inflates.....

No middle squeeze like a standard BCD....

I would take a close look at the Aqua Lung Zuma based on ease of travel.....

ScubaLab: BCs - Aqua Lung Zuma | Scuba Diving Magazine

The ScubaPro MK25/S600 is a great choice for a reg.....breathes great and easy to service around the globe......

ScubaLab: Regulators - SCUBAPRO MK25/S600 | Scuba Diving Magazine

I would add Milfex hoses, a simple SPG and a wrist mounted computer......

Hope this helps....M

 

[deantorgersen]

Thanks for the advice, I also read great reviews on the ScubaPro MK25/S600

 

[tregrrr]

I have a 25/600... its ok for warm water, but I have a mares on DIN that I use at home. The 25/600 is great for the ease of finding service, but it does not have AS MUCH metal (read seemingly any) in the second stage so cold water diving could conceivably give some grief. The mares I use is awesome.... so long as you have access to a reg wizard (old, good, technician such as one might say about a Ferrari...) close by. When I travel for extended periods, the SP is my choice.

 

[Jorgy]

tregrrr makes a great point.....

Would you also use the reg for diving in Minnesota?

I interpreted your post as looking for a warm water reg....

If it is a reg for both then a MK17/G250 might be a better way to go....

Also an Aqualung Titan LX Supreme might be a good option.....

It is tough to get a rig that is optimized for all applications - light weight, easy to service, under ice to warm to water.....etc.....

M

 

[tbone1004]

BC is even harder for ice and what not... Your best bet is probably to get something like an AL backplate or soft backplate and two wings... You can get a small travel wing for reef diving in the 280-30lb ish range, and something a bit bigger for cold water.
As far as regs go I wouldn't take a piston regulator ice diving... Hog D1 Cold is a pretty small ish regulator. I take my regs in carryon anyway so weight isn't a problem for me.
Aqualung Titan/Apeks are always good.

Oxycheq Color Travel Plate & Wing with harness and cambands [OCcolorplatewing] - $357.00 : Cave Adventurers!, We will NOT be undersold!!!
That served me well this summer for a travel setup... I have an older Transpac II that works real well for both and it's smaller than the newer Transpac.

 

[deantorgersen]

I appreciate all the great info and advice. Because I will mainly be diving tropical waters and diving while vacationing I bought the Oceanic Islander 2 BCD w/attachable octo and the MK25/S600 regulator. Now I need to purchase a depth/psi gauge and update my fins. I am looking forward to diving Palau in March. Again Thanks.

 

[Jorgy]

Get a simple wrist mounted computer...

And a simple brass and glass pressure gauge......

Keep the SPG on a short HP hose......easy to clip off on a side d-ring.......

Fins take a look at the ScubaPro Seawing Novas.......

Short, light, great for kicking and come with a bungee strap.......

Hope this helps......M

 

[deantorgersen]

Get a simple wrist mounted computer...

And a simple brass and glass pressure gauge......

Keep the SPG on a short HP hose......easy to clip off on a side d-ring.......

Fins take a look at the ScubaPro Seawing Novas.......

Short, light, great for kicking and come with a bungee strap.......

Hope this helps......M

Thanks for the advice. I read a good review on the ScubaPro Seawing Novas, I have a Suunto dive computer. Any suggestions on the simple brass and glass pressure gauge

 

[Jorgy]

I have a Dive Rite 1.5" Thin Face SPG on my travel rig.....

Submersible Pressure Gauges (SPGs) - Dive Gear Express

I also use Milflex hoses on my travel rig......

Don't forget the swivel spool......

I also use a small bolt snap and hose retainer to hold it on.......

Stainless Steel Snaps - Dive Gear Express

Hope this helps......M