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Sideways

Sideways

Contributor
Messages
795
Reaction score
291
Location
Huntington Beach, CA
# of dives
500 - 999
Howdy!

My names Greg, I'm 44, and I just got certified in June. I've been a water dog all my life. Grew up surfing, snorkeling, and lived down in Mexico for a few years where I did some compressor diving with friends commercially.

I've been wanting to get certified for quite some time and am thrilled that I've finally done it! Now...the next step...gear up and start diving consistently. I plan on getting outfitted with all my gear next month. Been doing quite a bit of research and have pretty much finalized the shopping list:D Here's what I'm looking at!

Wetsuit - Semi-dry Xcel Polar 9/7/6
Reg - Atomic B2
Oct - Atomic SS1
BCD - Zeagle - haven't decided between the Stilleto or the Ranger LTD.
Comp - Aeris ATMOS ai
Tanks - I'm leaning towards steel 100's

I know it's not the cheapest gear, especially for a begginer, but I want gear I can grow into. Any thoughts on the list would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!


Greg
 
Hey Greg, welcome to the board and welcome to the diving community! If you want to join some local people diving, you can check out the Beach Crabs in the local diving clubs part of the forums here. There's also a group called the wrinkles and various other groups that meet up during the week and on weekends to dive. Not really formal clubs more than a loose group of people who love to dive!

As for your list, I have a steel 100 and love it, don't regret it one bit!
For the wetsuit... I think the xcel polar semi-dry would be kind of a bit much out here. In the winter it might be perfect, but in the summer, it might be too much when on the surface. You might be better off with a 7/5 or so with a vest for colder times. However, that's just me and I hate getting in and out of a wetsuit. If you find it comfortable, by all means!
 
Welcome Greg to ScubaBoard.

Scott Zeagle will be at the Long Beach Scuba Show , I plan on going Saturday, Maybe a good place to pick up some of the stuff on your list.

I'll second the HP100 tank, I love mine.
 
Thanks for the welcome Clam..Dave!!

I've been doing some reading on the Steel vs. Aluminum, and it seems that you guys are in the majority :) I'm thinking I'll go with the steel 100's for starters. Seems the buoyancy part is deffinatly a plus...getting some of the lead out of the BC. As far as the Wetsuit...you might be right.... I think though that I'm on the "I get cold easy" side of the fence. I guess bottom line is I can get another suit if needed for the summer months?? I just hate the idea of the cold keeping me out of the water.

Yeah Dave...I was really excited when I saw the LB show!! Then I saw the dates...Unfortunately I already had planned a Lake Havasu trip that I'm leaving for when I get off work in the morning :(

Will deff. check out the locals section of the board!!
 
BTW, I like your choice in wetsuits. If you are the get cold easy type, you will like the suit. Me, I went with a Whites Catalyst 360 drysuit and my wife uses thier new Fusion line.

Have fun at the river.
 
I would suggest that instead of getting 2 wetsuits, that you might want to look into a dry suit instead since you will now be approaching a $1000 for 2 wetsuits. Although it might be a bit much for a new diver to hop right into a dry suit... but there are advantages as well. If you get cold easily, a dry suit is definitely the way to go (eventually). It's also very nice to just rinse your glove, hood, bc, and reg when you are done! Anyways, it's just something to think about for the future.
 
Yeah...the folks I've talked to, who seem the cold type..like me, really thought highly of it.

Im sure the river will be fun....@ 120 in the days and 90 at night...LOL
 
Clammy:
I would suggest that instead of getting 2 wetsuits, that you might want to look into a dry suit instead since you will now be approaching a $1000 for 2 wetsuits. Although it might be a bit much for a new diver to hop right into a dry suit... but there are advantages as well. If you get cold easily, a dry suit is definitely the way to go (eventually). It's also very nice to just rinse your glove, hood, bc, and reg when you are done! Anyways, it's just something to think about for the future.
Click to expand...

I did actually give it some thought about the drysuit...but like you mention, I thought I might be bitting off more than I could chew. I agree ....I'll have to be religious about taking care of the gear, getting into the routing of proper care...thats a lot of $$$
 
Sideways:
I did actually give it some thought about the drysuit...but like you mention, I thought I might be bitting off more than I could chew. I agree ....I'll have to be religious about taking care of the gear, getting into the routing of proper care...thats a lot of $$$
Click to expand...

I've heard new divers trained in a dry suit have an easier time with Buoyancy than if they were in a wetsuit and controlling buoyancy with their BC. I find buoyancy control much easier in a dry suit as well.
 
Clammy:
I've heard new divers trained in a dry suit have an easier time with Buoyancy than if they were in a wetsuit and controlling buoyancy with their BC. I find buoyancy control much easier in a dry suit as well.
Click to expand...

Thats the first time I've heard that...but it kinda makes sense, if thats what you get used to right off the bat. Thanks for the heads up on the Beach Crabs :)
 
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