Still in OW classes, need advice on equipment

[EZHOOPS]

Hello all this is only my second post here and I've done some reading. Short story is wife is certified and I"m in class now (SSI) need some advice on what equipment to buy. I have the basics (fins, mask, snorkel,)

here is what I need advice on

Wet suit (i get cold easily and I'm 6' 5" about 230lbs

Computer: wife has suunto geko, I like it but want something air integrated

BC : something comfortable that floats

Regulator: want something thats easy to breath and that I can count on. Most important feature in my opinion.

Lastly, my local dive shops here in michigan are expensive but I like to support local shops. On the other hand On-line stores are much cheaper with a larger selection. What are some trustable websites and what stores do you recommend.

I've tried discountdivers.com and they seem pretty good.

thanks in advance

 

[Scubaguy62]

Word of caution regarding purchases of scuba gear on the internet; websites like diversdirect.com, and scubatoys.com are quite reliable. Leisurepro.com and definitely ebay.com should not be your top choices, as you'll not get manufacturers' warranties, even on new equipment. Scubatoys has the cheapest shipping, as they do not charge handling, just straight shipping costs.

FWIW, if you're shoping for the best price, find the gear you want at your LDS and then call scubatoys. They will usually match or beat competitors' prices on the same equipment. Regs and BC's are life support equipment, and unless you've tried them on (for fit) and have researched them (for reliability and ease of service), you're better off buying them from a shop. Something to consider when buying a BC is the style (whether it is jacket style or rear inflation), and whether it is weight integrated. Wetsuits, well you really need to try them on to make sure they fit you well, but according to what you've posted your size to be, Henderson hyperstrech would probably be a good choice; this brand is a little on the expensive. I'd say that any wetsuit that has high streching capabilities would probably be a good choice.

When it's all said and done, the best value on gear is contingent on what you can afford, and what fits your needs the best. It's ok to economize, but it isn't ok to skimp. One more thing, and IMHO, I wouldn't buy gear that would require upgrades, but gear that I can grow into.

 

[Wildcard]

Scubatoys, $52 for the mask and $18 for ground UPS ( 18 bucks to ship a mask slow boat!), Leisurepro, $40 for the mask and $10 shipping...Fit specific stuff like masks and wet suits, go LDS or at least try them on there and know what you can get it for online first, they will dicker. BCs, regs, ect, again, know what you can get it for online first. They will tell you storiies about mfg warrienties (big sp) but if you put it on a CC, you may still be covered.
Best advice is to sell the house and buy the best gear you can find then move someplace warm wet and blue, you will end up there anyway, may as well do it sooner

 

[FastAttack]

I am a newbie like yourself, although I was fortunate that my LDS is actually an online store as well ( http://www.divers-discount.com/) ..
I made sure that I checked their dealership status online ( my regs are all mares including my dive computer) so it was easy to find out they are a true online retailer/lds that can service and be sure that Mares will cover anything being that I bought it from an authorized dealer.

Same thing with my Zeagle BC

can't be any happier plus they are extremely nice and helpfull.

 

[alan_lee]

Hey, since we're on the topic of buying off the Net, any had any problems with shipping? I'm unfortunately staying halfway away from the US.

 

[scubatoys]

Domestically, shipping is pretty cheap. For example, a full package of reg, bc, suit, etc getting up to Michigan, is about 8 - 10 bucks. Unfortunately, there is no cheap way to get to Hawaii and Alaska except priority mail... which we can do - but we have had so many lost packages with postal - it's not even funny! So we really try to only do UPS - and with a small package of stuff - the shipping going outside the 48 states, can be a bit higher...

But for example, I can shoot a computer to Australia for about $45, or a full package of bc, reg, gauges, etc over to New Zealand, or Europe, and you are probably just over $100.

So the shipping will have a lot of variation depending on where you are going, and what stuff it is - but with a phone call we can tell you exactly what it would be.

We also make it a policy that when buying "sized" items, if we give you advice, and mess up - we pay for it... Example: You call up to get a Zeagle BC, we ask weight, height, waist measurements, etc... then we say you need a Large with medium shoulders and ship it out. If you get it and it doesn't feel right.. Maybe you feel the large waist is a bit big, and you want a medium with medium shoulders... No problem. We will ship out the new one, with a pre-paid return slip in the box, so it costs nothing for shipping either direction.

The whole shipping thing is real interesting to watch, I see sites that add a $20 surcharge to scuba tanks plus the actual shipping costs... why not just say you're selling them for $20 more? Same thing you see from a lot of ebay stores - I'm looking for a projection TV... not a rear projection... but the actual projector kind, and I was looking at Ebay to get some pricing ideas, and found prices, then read the fine print, and they were adding an extra $50 to ship something that weighs almost nothing. I know what shipping actually costs... I can send a scuba tank across the US for under $20 - so a small electronic box does not cost $50!

Oh well, excuse my rant...

 

[The Kraken]

I certainly have to vouch for ScubaToys on the cost of shipping tanks!!!

I've dealt with ScubaToys and they're quite reputable.

Have no fears.

the K

 

[halocline]

I'd also recommend scubatoys as a quality place. About your equipment questions, you might search for similar threads; this is a topic which comes up all the time. Probably you should buy the wetsuit first; I'd think about getting that locally because fit is everything and if they're a decent store, they'll know how to fit you. Computer; stay away from air integrated IMO, it's not worth the money and you're going to want to dive with a SPG regardless, especially if you get a hoseless computer. A brand new diver with no way to monitor air supply is not so good. What's wrong with the gekko? After some diving experience, you'll be looking at your computer quite a bit (for depth, time, ascent rate, etc) and your SPG only occasionally. At first it's kind of nice to have all that info in one place, but eventually you'll probably want just the computer info on your wrist. For the reg, the most simple and reliable I know of is the SP MK2/R190. It only has a couple of moving parts and failure is basically unheard of; if the IP is adjusted right ( a little high) and the 2nd stage is tuned, it breathes really well...not as well as a high performance reg, but believe me you'll never know the difference when you're diving. But, the truth about regs for rec diving is that any decent reg from a reputable manufacturer will work fine; they're all very reliable (can you imagine the lawsuits?) and they all provide lots of air. I'd look for a deal.

As far as the BC goes, why don't you hold off on that until you get a few dives together. You'll make a much more informed decision about BC style, and it does make a real difference whether you get a back inflate, jacket style, or backplate/wing. Plus, the way BCs are marketed is pretty weird; it seems like the more expensive, the more "stuff" is on it; big pockets, lots of padding, big cummerbund, etc, and once you're in the water you're better off without that stuff.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Personally I would wait on the purchases of the high dollar equipment until I had tried several different types of bc/regulator and found one I really liked. There are a bunch of divers here on the board who are in your area (Great Lakes Wrecking Crew) and we have tons of extra gear laying around and don't mind going diving with you to let you try it.


That said, here's a little more input to answer your question.
Regulators: I have Dive Rite 2500Ice and LOVE it. It breathes great in both deep and cold water and the service interval is every two years instead of annually (see owners manual for details). I bought mine from an SSI shop in Michigan (Seaquatics) and they gave me a good price on it. I bought a second one from Divesports (Phil Ellis is a member here) when they had a sale price I couldn't resist. Divesports has a store in Alabama and that's where I'll send that regulator for its bi-annual service, the first regulator I bought will go back to Seaquatics for its service.

I'll also vote for Scubatoys for willingness to work with you and deliver a good product at a fair price.

If your dive shop sells some or even all the equipment you want talk them into giving you a package deal. Haggle until you get a price you can both agree on, you can always shop somewhere else if they don't want to put a package together for you.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Airborne!]

I think it would be easier if you would concentrate on one piece of equipment at a time. Go out on a dive boat and see all that different equipment? Most of those people would probably swear by their kit and be right especially if you consider where they normally dive. You can get a lot of good wide ranging advice on quality gear, but until you use it you never truly know. By concentrating on one piece at a time you can do more thorough research and ask more relevant questions to your style or comfort level or dive location.
Of course if you have the money it’s always fun to buy something and try it and then buy something else and try it and then buy something else and try it and then sell it to me.