starting out, what brands do you recommend?

[chris4355]

Just starting out scuba diving, I've been reading up on a lot of gear. I have read in more than one place that there are a lot of lesser known brands that are more difficult to get serviced. For me, when I buy equipment, I like things that are reliable over anything else, and I tend to stick to more popular brands when purchasing things since its easier to get information, service, etc...

I'm totally new to scuba diving. What brands should I mainly focus on while purchasing gear?

As of now, I am looking into getting:

Mask, fins, gloves, boots, wetsuit.



One more question... yesterday was my first day, pool diving at about 12 feet. I do have some ear pain on both ears today, nothing bad enough to keep me from working but its still there. Is this normal?

 

[Scuba_Noob]

Typical answer will be: what fits and what your LDS can service. There are a lot of well-known brands and good lesser-known brands, but what matters the most will be your comfort and personal preferences. Next will be whether somewhere local can fix/diagnose it if problems occur. This is more important for gear like regulators and much less important for mask/fins/gloves/boots.

Also, depending on other variables like pricing, you might want to get some major stuff (e.g., BCD, regs, etc.) from your LDS and ask them for their personal opinions, if only to start a relationship with your LDS.

About the ear pain, I'll defer to others. I didn't have ear pain after my first few dives, and I would always move up a few feet if I felt discomfort.

 

[Cosmographer]

I've also been looking through these boards to get this kind of information, but I still haven't found anything like a list of good vs. questionable brands. A poll would be nice . Anyway, I'm just starting out as well, so my info comes purely from other people.

I'm staying away from:
Beauchat: My instructor in the Seychelles told me to avoid this brand because they tend to be low quality. My dive shop here in Hong Kong corroborated that, at least in regards to their wetsuits.
Pinnacle, Neosport: These brands, again for wetsuits, do not seem to be top quality from what I've read here.
Sherwood Brut regulators (other higher end regs from Sherwood seem fine)

While I am not about to pull the trigger quite yet, the gear I'm leaning towards based on SB posts are:
Masks: Atomic Frameless, Cressi Big Eyes, Mares X-Vision
Fins: Scubapro Seawing Nova, Forcefins, Scubapro Jetfins, Zeagle EZ travel fins (for portability)
Computers: Oceanic VT3 (seems to be the cheapest wrist-mounted wireless computer whose signal transmission is reliable)
BC: Seems like they all do fine, but I'm leaning towards Zeagle BCs based on the reviews here
Regulator: Edge Epic, Aqualung Titan XL
Wetsuit: Bare, Waterproof

This list was compiled over the past few weeks based on my personal priorities which are cost, portability, quality/durability, performance. I'm certain there are hundreds of other products that are just as good if not better than these, and no doubt there will be SB members who disagree with my choices. That said, this list was primarily derived from posts by Scubaboard members. Hope this helps.

 

[TSandM]

For the things you have listed, brand is really immaterial. Masks and wetsuits MUST fit or they don't work. Most name-brand masks are pretty similar in durability -- they vary in size and shape, and in field of view. But buying a mask for a big field of view and finding out it leaks is not a win. Similarly, there are some wetsuits that have picked up reputations for not lasting well -- there was a Henderson ultra-stretchy suit where the stitching seemed to go -- but most wetsuits are reasonably durable, and fit is essential. Gloves also need to fit, and I like the kind with Velcro around the wrists, but that's personal preference.

As far as your ears go, it is NOT normal or desirable to have sore ears after a pool session, but it is regrettably common. Going up and down in shallow water, as you do in the pool, is the hardest thing on ears, and if you are a little late on equalizing on multiple occasions, barotrauma is the result. You may want to watch THIS excellent video about the dvier's ear (warning, it's long) and think hard in your next session about equalizing before you need to.

 

[Fishpie]

I've also been looking through these boards to get this kind of information, but I still haven't found anything like a list of good vs. questionable brands. A poll would be nice . Anyway, I'm just starting out as well, so my info comes purely from other people.

I'm staying away from:
Beauchat: My instructor in the Seychelles told me to avoid this brand because they tend to be low quality. My dive shop here in Hong Kong corroborated that, at least in regards to their wetsuits.
Pinnacle, Neosport: These brands, again for wetsuits, do not seem to be top quality from what I've read here.
Sherwood Brut regulators (other higher end regs from Sherwood seem fine)

While I am not about to pull the trigger quite yet, the gear I'm leaning towards based on SB posts are:
Masks: Atomic Frameless, Cressi Big Eyes, Mares X-Vision
Fins: Scubapro Seawing Nova, Forcefins, Scubapro Jetfins, Zeagle EZ travel fins (for portability)
Computers: Oceanic VT3 (seems to be the cheapest wrist-mounted wireless computer whose signal transmission is reliable)
BC: Seems like they all do fine, but I'm leaning towards Zeagle BCs based on the reviews here
Regulator: Edge Epic, Aqualung Titan XL
Wetsuit: Bare, Waterproof

This list was compiled over the past few weeks based on my personal priorities which are cost, portability, quality/durability, performance. I'm certain there are hundreds of other products that are just as good if not better than these, and no doubt there will be SB members who disagree with my choices. That said, this list was primarily derived from posts by Scubaboard members. Hope this helps.

Nothing "low quality" about Beauchat regulators.....very similar to Apeks.
They are as good as any of the other top quality manufacturers
Distribution in the states is poor, to say the least, and cannot be recommended here for that reason.

 

[Colliam7]

I'm totally new to scuba diving. What brands should I mainly focus on while purchasing gear? . . . Mask, fins, gloves, boots, wetsuit.

Mask - the one that FITS YOU best. The simplest masks are low volume, dual lens. Whether you go dual or single lens is not terribly important (although dual lens masks tend to be lighter, and lower volume). Fit, for a mask is everything. I am able to wear the least expensive mask we sell in the shop - a SeaDive Caribbean (dual lens, low volume) - because it fits me, and I love it (I have three of them). I recommend that all my students try them. the mask fits some, but not all.

As for fins, the biggest decision / issue you will confront is split fins vs non-split fins, and opinions vary, with no clear 'winner'. Get something that is comfortable for you in the water. I happen to dive Mares Quattros, and love them, but that's just me. Get spring straps (stainless steel) instead of rubber straps on your fins, and you will never regret the choice. Finning technique is FAR MORE IMPORTANT than the fin itself.

Wetsuit and boots - whatever fits you. I happen to prefer diving Henderson wetsuits, but there are several good brands.

One more question... yesterday was my first day, pool diving at about 12 feet. I do have some ear pain on both ears today, nothing bad enough to keep me from working but its still there. Is this normal?

Not normal. Make sure you know how to clear / equalize your ears. If the pain persists, see an ENT - WHO KNOWS DIVING. I emphasize that because I know of (too many) ENTs who find it simplest to say, 'If your ears hurt, don't dive.', which is nonsense. In contrast, and ENT who is a diver is far more valuable.

 

[buddhasummer]

Its hard to find "bad" brands you will not go wrong with any of the bigger mainstream companies, Aqualung, Scuba-pro, Oceanic/Aeries/Hollis, Apeks, Atomic, Beauchat, Cressi, Mares etc You will find lots of information on different brands on this board, have a wee look around. As others have said when it comes to things like mask, suits, boots gloves, fit is the most important and not brand, nothing ruins a dive like being cold or having a mask that leaks. As far as which brand people recommend its usually the brand they use or sell. Buying gear that you can get serviced in your area is also a consideration. Take your time and don't rush into it as this is a sure way to pay more for your gear and to end up with gear you end up changing shortly thereafter when you realise it doesn't fit with your style/conditions of diving. Re your ears, pain is of course an indication that something is not quite right as TSandM has already stated its not uncommon in the initial stages of ones diving career watch the video she has linked to it is very good and offers several different techniques on equalising. Good luck.

 

[Searcaigh]

I will just add, if the cap fits wear it

Nothing worse than wearing gear that is too big or too small

As for your ears, as others mentioned see a diving doctor if possible, however did your instructor mention how to equalize your ears?

 

[koozemani]

I've also been looking through these boards to get this kind of information, but I still haven't found anything like a list of good vs. questionable brands. A poll would be nice . Anyway, I'm just starting out as well, so my info comes purely from other people.

A poll won't help because it all depends on who answers. Some people are strictly brand loyalists, while others possess a little of everything. As others have mentioned, fit is more important than name brand or price for certain items. A $10 mask might fit you better than the $100 mask will.

 

[drrich2]

An excellent brand/model of scuba boot for warm water divers is the SeaSoft Sunray. They're somewhat sneaker-like and provide adequate protection for walking on the ironshore of Bonaire. These were recommended to me by 'Dive Time,' a dive shop in Clarksville, TN, and my wife, brother-in-law, friend and I all wear them now. They also don't look to dorky to walk around town in.

Are you going to dive somewhere with chilly water where you need gloves? In fact, since you mention a wetsuit, tell us what area, and what water temp.s, you expect to dive in. Won't do much good to get a great 5 mm wetsuit when you needed a 7 mm...

With some things, like regulators and dive computers, you can't get everyone to agree on a single best model. I use an Atomic Aquatics B2 reg., but a ZX would probably have done me as well, and I notice in another thread HOG reg.s are well regarded and said to be cheaper than 'paying for the name' of some of the big brands, if memory serves.

On fins, enough people like split fins, and I suspect if you don't start out with a pair you'll be 'split curious' and end up getting some later anyway, but there are people who'd argue with me on that so it's just my opinion. Are you going to mainly be doing reef, quarry diving, or what? Spring straps were already recommended, and many people love them. They are convenient.

If you look at dive computers, here are mid and higher end representative models.

1.) Wrist: Oceanic computers - Geo 2.0 (not air integrated), Atom 3.0 (is via wireless transmitter), VT3 or VT4 (larger & lack the 'wrist watch' look).
2.) Console: Oceanic Pro Plus 2.1 (well-regarded, cheaper), Atomic Aquatics Cobalt (wonderfully intuitive, a true joy to use, rechargeable battery and you needed take it out to recharge, enormous dive log storage, a joy to use, but you pay for the privilege).

Richard.