Starter Tech Gear

[String]

If you dive open circuit trimix a lot then the cost of the gear will pale into insignificane compared to the cost of gas per dive.

 

[verybaddiver]

That would surely be post-trimix training though? Back gas normoxic trimix works out around £30 ($55) per dive i believe

 

[nereas]

I am looking for my first set of dive gear. I am 100% sure I want to get into tech, possibly DIR/GUE method. I want a setup that can be configured for simple OW dives and later upgraded to full tech gear. I am going to start with just a single tank setup and upgrade from there. I want to be able to gain more experience diving a setup conducive for tech, before getting into it.

For backplate, wing, and harness I want Halycon. They seem like they make outstanding gear.

Regs are really where I have no idea. I want a set that works for for recreational SCUBA and also tech, that way I do not have to buy two complete sets of regs when I go tech. Preferably ones that aren't ridiculously expensive, but I know tech gear is higher quality, thus more expensive.

I have been looking at computers such as the Zeagle N2ition Dive Computer Zeagle N2ition Dive Computer 370-9001 with reviews at scuba.com I want a computer around $400 that will work for tech diving non helium based mixtures. I cannot afford a Delta P Technology VR3 HD Air/Nitrox Computer at this point, nor do I need one. I plan on being full extended range trimix certified in the next 5 years. The Zeagle has the ability to do two gas mixtures and obviously works as a good recreational computer.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
-opti12206

Start out with really good basic gear, then you won't need to start over when you try tech.

ScubaPro, Zeagle, Atomic, and Apeks all make really great 1st and 2nd stage regs. Get a high quality 1st stage and 2 high quality 2nd stages, from the start. None of this Air2 crap or yellow octo crap.

Start with a BPW. The best are made by Deep Sea Supply. Don't waste money on Halcyon if you can find anything else besides Halcyon.

Get a good cave light. I recommend Sartek.

Spend as little on a dive computer as you can, because you will be using this in GAUGE mode anyway, and ultimately you would want a helium computer, and those cost around $1000+.

Get some nice Turtle fins, and stay away from the split fin crap.

Buy a drysuit, not a thick wetsuit.

Start with that. Then you will be saving money from the start. Then ultimately you will be able to afford your 5 1st stages and 4 2nd stages, twin tanks, 2 deco bottles, and an argon bottle. And you will already have your cave light, BPW, a good 1st stage reg, and 2 good 2nd stages.

 

[nereas]

...When things go seriously south you will be the one breathing the backup reg so it makes sense to have two of the same model or at least the same performance.

...

Exactly! Well put.

 

[PerroneFord]

nereas nearly hit one out of the park on this post. But it turned into a ground rule double with the insistence on Deep Sea Supply (they do make GREAT gear) and Sartek lights.

There are 4 primary manufacturers of cave lights in the US. Sartek, Halcyon, Salvo, and Dive Rite.

Salvo and Halcyon are in High Springs. The most popular cave diving area in Florida. Dive Rite is located in Lake City. Adjacent to the second most popular cave diving area in Florida. Sartek is based in Medford, NY. Not to say that the Sartek lights aren't good lights. They certainly are. But when I look for actual cave gear, I tend to utilize companies where cave diving is their primary focus.

The recommendation on Turtle fins is well intentioned, but I tend to prefer Jets as they are a bit stiffer. Just personal preference there though.

Good call on the drysuit and the regs too.

Start out with really good basic gear, then you won't need to start over when you try tech.

ScubaPro, Zeagle, Atomic, and Apeks all make really great 1st and 2nd stage regs. Get a high quality 1st stage and 2 high quality 2nd stages, from the start. None of this Air2 crap or yellow octo crap.

Start with a BPW. The best are made by Deep Sea Supply. Don't waste money on Halcyon if you can find anything else besides Halcyon.

Get a good cave light. I recommend Sartek.

Spend as little on a dive computer as you can, because you will be using this in GAUGE mode anyway, and ultimately you would want a helium computer, and those cost around $1000+.

Get some nice Turtle fins, and stay away from the split fin crap.

Buy a drysuit, not a thick wetsuit.

Start with that. Then you will be saving money from the start. Then ultimately you will be able to afford your 5 1st stages and 4 2nd stages, twin tanks, 2 deco bottles, and an argon bottle. And you will already have your cave light, BPW, a good 1st stage reg, and 2 good 2nd stages.

 

[verybaddiver]

"The recommendation on Turtle fins is well intentioned, but I tend to prefer Jets as they are a bit stiffer. Just personal preference there though."

Depends on the size of your dry suit boots, I can't use Jets because they are either too small (xl) or way, way too big (xxl), Turtles fit just right..

 

[String]

Same - i have to wear the turtles purely for the sizing issue. Smaller size jets i cant squeeze my foot into, larger size jets i could put both feet into the same fin.

As for cost, 21/35 here would cost you about £43 ($75usd) for a twin 12 fill assuming He at about 2p/litre.
Add on your O2 deco and so on and looking at £50 for the lot.

 

[Mayor]

Great thread! I'm also new to the tech side of diving but most of my buddies have made the switch. They have all taken intro to tech training course. My goal over the next few months is to switch my gear over to a DIR set up with a single tank (for vacation this winter). Then make the switch to a doubles set up for the intro class next year. Doubles will be a big jump as I will need to go dry if I want to use two 130's. I would like to use as much of the gear that I have now and replace some items as I go. This is what I have come up with working with a top instructor and friends.

This photo shows my gear set up but for some reason my OCTO hose is off the clip. All my other gear is on retractors and is tight to my body. I now understand all of this is not the right way and I have seen the light. Keep in mind over the years I have worked on streamlining everything and never really looked into tech gear set ups. Just a little change to a long hose set up I feel like a better diver for me and my buddy.

Old Gear Setup (single tank)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Oceanic Versa Pro Navcon Computer/Gauges
Oceanic Veo 250 Computer Wrist Mount (back up)
Oceanic GT3 with Atomic Swivel Reg
Oceanic Swivel Octo Reg
Oceanic Chute 3 BC Rear inflation
Aqua Lung Blades 2 Fins
Oceanic Shadow Mask
XS Steel HP 130

New Gear Setup (single tank)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Halcyon Aluminum Back Plate (buy)
Halcyon Pad (buy)
Halcyon Harness (buy)
Halcyon Single tank wing max lift (buy)
Halcyon Single tank adaptor (buy)
Halcyon Small Weight Pockets (buy for travel)
Oceanic GT3 Long Hose (have)
Oceanic GT3 Short Hose Atomic Swivel (have)
Oceanic Versa Pro now on wrist band (have)
New Steel / Glass Gauge (buy)
Clips (Stainless, Size?)
OMS Slipsteam Fins or Turtles (buy)
XS Steel HP 130 (have)

 

[nereas]

"The recommendation on Turtle fins is well intentioned, but I tend to prefer Jets as they are a bit stiffer. Just personal preference there though."

Depends on the size of your dry suit boots, I can't use Jets because they are either too small (xl) or way, way too big (xxl), Turtles fit just right..

Exactly!

I can use jets for warm water wetsuit scuba in the Florida Keys.

However to fit over my drysuit boots, I need Turtles.

 

[PerroneFord]

I use Jets for both. But whatever works for you...