The first piece

[Slym]

So starting down the path of learning how to scuba dive, I have started to wonder what my first piece of equipment should be (besides fins, mask, ect). Some of you guys say wetsuit so that you know nobody but you have peed in it, one of the guys I like to talk to at my LDS says a regulator as that is what goes in your mouth and primarily keeps you alive, and my own personal opinion is a BCD (in my very limited experience) is the piece that consumes most of you and you interact with quite a lot; one should be most familiar with it.

Next Wednesday I will be my third week into my open water course and the thought of what I should buy eventually; it has crossed my mind. In my course I believe we use the Halcyon Eclipse bcd and either aura or halo regulators. I have no idea if they are comfortable (in terms of comparison to other brands) as they are the only ones I have used. I know that Halcyon is one of the best though, kind of like a Ferrari.

I want to get into wreck diving eventually and I only want to rent for a little bit before investing in my own gear, and I want to buy right the first time in terms of quality and future use. I hear hog is a decent boutique brand soon I will try on a few things at my LDS but in the mean time I wanted to hear some experienced advice!

 

[TMHeimer]

Of course it all depends on what you want to (or have) to spend right now. I bought all the stuff used right away except the wetsuit, which I promptly bought a couple of months later in FL. Arguments can be made for the 3 you mention, but eventually you need them all if you dive regularly. I may lean toward the reg with the point that it keeps you alive--well perhaps a little more vital than BC or wetsuit, but you can have problems with a BC and eventually will chill in a wetsuit if lost at sea. I didn't rent first, but it is an idea in order to try out different stuff.

 

[dbulmer]

I would say go for the exposure equipment first because a BC or reg are easy to rent and just work irrespective of the user. The wetsuit/drysuit etc need to fit the user to work well - it's harder to rent correctly fitting exposure equipment as they are items which depend on the individual.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Yeah ... what dbulmer just said. It's less about who peed in the suit than it is that it fits you properly. An ill-fitting wetsuit either won't keep you warm (too big) or won't be very comfortable (too small). Neoprene has "memory" and after you wear it a few times it starts to look like you when you take it off and hang it up ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

Neoprene has "memory" and after you wear it a few times it starts to look like you when you take it off and hang it up ...... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I have noticed my wetsuit has been looking pretty good lately...

 

[diversteve]

If you're diving locally, definitely a wetsuit - being cold is the one thing that will keep you out of the water - or make it less comfortable to do so. I only only go to warm tropical climates to dive so somewhere in the closet I have a 1mm skin that I've used once. Wrecks are sharp, dirty and rusty so you will want something for that in the future.

Every regulator pretty much feels the same, works the same - the differences are subtle. Close your eyes and you probably couldn't tell which one you're breathing among the top 20 brands - except I can "hear" the difference between pistons and diaphragms.

Every BCD made pretty much does one thing. And all have the inflator in the same place. Comfort, type (Jacket, Back Inflate or BP/W) are the differences - for that I'd try as many as you can - even visit different shops in your area or on trips and rent if possible. Personally I like weight integration also since i don't like a belt.

You also pay an "H" tax on the gear you mentioned. It's good stuff but it's there. It's probably not a coincidence your shop provides it also - they're a dealer right? Mine outfits their students/staff in Scubapro...

 

[Slym]

I really want to give the HOG equipment a shot I have been looking at the Zenith regulators as I like their price, if I can rent before I buy that would be a bonus so I could make sure I feel comfortable and such in it.

Haha yea they are a dealer, Halcyon is one of the brands they promote pretty well there. And yea I'll be needing a 7mm suit up here. And as for the bcd I am learning on bp/w so that is what I want to go with

 

[JBFG]

I dive a hog ref set and a hog BPW. Great gear!
Show around. I recommend that you pm Jim Lapenta. He can hook you up with a great set of hog gear and send you an article on BPW.

As for the 1st piece, exposure would be my choice. I started with regs myself but quickly with I had a good fitting wetsuit. It's especially important if you need a tick 7mm one. Hood and gloves same

 

[Slym]

Yea when I get around to buying the equipment I might give him a shout, if only the American dollar weren't so high against ours right now

The wetsuit makes some pretty good sense, however in April I'll be going to Cozumel and if I go well researched in what I want, then if I see (and know) its a deal I'll buy it. Chances of them having a 7mm are slim; regs and bcd I want are hopeful.

 

[Littlerayray]

What does your budget say tbh get a reg that will be comfortable I disagree with @diversteve I can tell the difference between regs in my mouth not just the way they breath but the bulk of the reg as well
When purchasing try different brands bcd jackets are very similar but have different options as well like d ring placement and number of d rings this will become more relevant as you obtain more gear try different brands of exposure suits as well as thicknesses some wetsuits have more stretch then others. most shops will have regs on display that you can see how they fit in your mouth and test their comfort level. You don't want jaw fatigue half way through your dive
Personally I would get and did get my reg first that way I know where it's been after that I got my bcd so I knew it without even thinking my lds had a wide assortment of wetsuits to rent and luckily he had one that fit me properly so the wetsuit was my last purchase as I was able to rent the same wetsuit everytime