The debate about buying your own gear for the newbie

[nolatom]

One of the main reasons I (even though a cheap b^$!^&d) bought gear right after OW was that it would "make" me dive regularly, so I would "get my money's worth" out of the expenditure already made, and that way I couldn't use the cost of rental gear as a disincentive to go on a given dive. And it worked; I had a friend in OW who was going to rent until he could afford the "Cadillac" gear. He never got around to either, and did not follow up with diving. I bought the "Chevy Malibu" gear and went diving, and I stuck with it, even though I don't dive all that much (about 190 in 12 years), still using the same gear. Malibu does fine if you get it serviced each year.

Anyway, that was my reason. Same reason I will make the late-afternoon dive no 4 out of 5 on a liveaboard, even though others may nap through it--because I "paid for it" ;-). Sort of like buying season's ticket so it will make you go to the game instead of couching it..

 

[fjpatrum]

Nope! We were at 25.8 and removing the two cobras brought it down to 25.0. They aren't light.

There's a wet sensor, impossible to obtain a "diving at altitude". They're wonderfully designed...I just wish I had gotten the wireless ones for not that much more $$$.

You made my point. You took out two computers and saved less than a pound. That is significantly lighter than removing an extra pair of shoes or shirt, for example. I am curious what airline has a 25 pound limit too... is it a puddle jumper to the islands or something?

Either way, if you're trying to save weight by removing your dive computers I daresay you either don't travel often or need to rethink what you're packing.

 

[Mark Derail]

Nothing like getting lashed at on a public forum, eh?

AFAIK, all major US airlines have a 25 pound limit for checked-in luggage, why I only flew 6 times in the last 18 months, so I guess that doesn't qualify as decent intelligence to be shared...
(There is a huge surcharge if over 25, then a sky-high surcharge if over 35)

There were no other items in that checked luggage OTHER than our (plural) dive gear. So if you have to remove something, as small as possible, let's see...

a) I could wear my fins, they're heavy
b) I could wrap an octo around my neck as in-vogue jewelry
c) I could wear a BCD and use it as a pillow on the plane (inflated of course, but not too much)
d) I could put my UW camera gear around my neck, nothing like walking miles in an airport with an extra 3-4 lbs tugging my neck down & forward...
e) Well, geez, look at these two things, with easy-clips on them...I can simply strap to myself...

BTW - I'm not peeved or angry - just having fun.

One can easily forget, in the rush to your hotel and an early dive boat leaving the dock at 6am the next morning, that little something...nicely all packed together for easy transport...oops, the dive comps are in the other bag! Sh1t...

FWIW, I didn't have the Zeagle Stilletto last time, but my cold-water-friendly Aqualung Dimension i3 size Large. That BCD weighs in at nearly twice the Stilletto.

You made my point. You took out two computers and saved less than a pound. That is significantly lighter than removing an extra pair of shoes or shirt, for example. I am curious what airline has a 25 pound limit too... is it a puddle jumper to the islands or something?

Either way, if you're trying to save weight by removing your dive computers I daresay you either don't travel often or need to rethink what you're packing.

 

[coldwatercanada]

i like the idea of a removable dive copu so when im sitting at my desk top logging dives i dont need my full set of regs. also with the quick disconnect it makes it easier to walk away so if im leaving my gear out in a "safe" place but that im going to be in the area but not watching it i can toss it in my pocket.

 

[coldwatercanada]

cold water bcds are around 9-10 lbs warm water are 3-6lbs

 

[fjpatrum]

Nothing like getting lashed at on a public forum, eh?

AFAIK, all major US airlines have a 25 pound limit for checked-in luggage, why I only flew 6 times in the last 18 months, so I guess that doesn't qualify as decent intelligence to be shared...

Just so you know, most major carriers in the USA have a 50 pound limit for checked bags (though I think all are charging for the privilege now). I know US Air, United/Continental, American, Southwestand Delta all have 50 pound limits. The limit is 23kg, though, so maybe that's the confusion...

 

[fjpatrum]

cold water bcds are around 9-10 lbs warm water are 3-6lbs

My BCD weighs the same whether I'm diving cold water or warm water... what are you calling cold water BCDs versus warm water BCDs?

 

[Mark Derail]

Ah, we aren't talking about the same limits. It's the limit for the cheapest per-person luggage scenario I mean, which still costs 25$.

They'll refuse to even take your luggage if over 50, the limit I talk about is the price point for 1 checked luggage per person, without a surcharge, is 25 lbs, 12 kilos.
That's at the 25$ per person for one.
The 2nd luggage per person is 35$, also at a 25 lb limit at that price. Price nearly doubles if you're over 25 lb limit.

I did not want to pay a 25$ premium on top of the 25$, just for 0.8 lbs, so the two computers came off, clipped on me, that I later transferred into my carry-on.

Just so you know, most major carriers in the USA have a 50 pound limit for checked bags (though I think all are charging for the privilege now). I know US Air, United/Continental, American, Southwestand Delta all have 50 pound limits. The limit is 23kg, though, so maybe that's the confusion...

 

[Jim Lapenta]

My cold and warm water BC's weigh about 8lbs. With the steel plate. With the al or the Express Tech it's around 5. Now if you are talking those big bulky things with all the unnecessary padding, cummerbunds, integrated weight pockets, etc then yeah those get kinda heavy. Why I don't use one. Even some of the BC's marketed for travel have lots of stuff they don't need. And the super light ones just don't feel solid to me.

 

[Mark Derail]

Cold-water BCD's have a higher lift capability, and more weight pockets. Thus larger.
They're simply larger vests with more pockets.

My Aqualung Dimension i3, has two pockets on the side, room for 8 lead (that you put on a belt) weights, plus room for 4 more to put near the tank.

When wearing full-body 14mm, you gotta sink !

My BCD weighs the same whether I'm diving cold water or warm water... what are you calling cold water BCDs versus warm water BCDs?