Thinking to get BC or reg.....

[Calvinator]

I posted a thread recently to seek the opinions of divers in Scubaboard about BCs. But when I went "window shopping" for the BC, I was asked whether I have regs already. I denied. I don't have both. The salesperson then said, why not get your regs first, then get BCs. Now I wanted the BC first, then only the regs. There came a guy telling me to get the regs first then the BC.

Is there a recommended sequence in purchasing equipments?!

I hope not. Cause I wouldn't wanna be stuck to a certain range or choices of either regs or BCs when I got the other first.

Thanks to all incoming replies.

Calvin.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

There is no universally recommended sequence ... only people's personal opinions of what they feel should be the priority.

There are two ways to look at it ...

One is to get your buoyancy gear first ... because buoyancy is usually the most difficult skill for the new diver to master, and having your own BCD will help you master it more quickly and effectively.

The other is to get your regulator first ... because breathing is the most necessary thing you'll do underwater.

I'd say the order of priority depends on the quality of the gear you are renting. If the shop is reputable, and is properly maintaining its regulators, I'd go with the BCD first. If you are renting a high-quality BCD (not likely) and can rent the same model (if not the same BCD) each time you go diving, then consider purchasing your regulator first.

As to your last concern, BCD's and regulators are totally independent of each other (unless you're purchasing a H.U.B.) ... the choice of one will not really have any affect on the choice of the other.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[JDostal]

I'll second Bob - your BC and your reg are totally independent. Unless you are buying a HUB (or similar). I wouldn't do that if I were you

I rented/borrowed regs when I started. I got my BC first. A reg is fairly interchangeable...but a BC takes some getting used to, and when you have your own it is very nice. You get used to how it acts, and your buoyancy becomes great.

When you do buy a reg though - don't go cheap!!!! It is your lifeline. Think about the things you can do without underwater. Mask? Yep. Fins? Kinda. BC? It's doable. Wetsut? Sure...it's cold, but sure. But a reg?? If that fails, you are in deep. Anything else failing is a major inconvenience and potential hazard. Your reg failing...

 

[yknot]

Calvin- I would recommend buying both if possible. You would be in a better position to get some sort of package deal from your LDS in this way. If you can only afford one or the other I would recommend getting the regulator. Only reason is that I would trust a rental BC over a rental reg set. BC's tend to be somewhat less failure prone when subjected to possible misuse as a rental. The recommended sequence for gear seems to be: 1) either during or shortly after open water training, buy expensive basic set-up from LDS, based on their "expert" advice. 2) Dive the gear long enough to find out that it doesn't suit your goals/needs. 3) E-bay/pass off to your kids/throw in closet 4) Get gear that YOUR experience demands, based on YOUR informed choice, to suit the enviroment that YOU are going to dive. -or- make an informed decision the first time. Try and filter thru the brand specific BS and buy equipment suited for your use. For the most part, one piece of gear is not too dependant on another for its use, with the following exceptions: If you choose not to get a separate octo you will need to get an integrated octo (optional piece in line with inflator hose on the BC). Personally, I think these devices are junk but it's your money. Also, amount of weight that a BC can hold, if you choose weight integrated, may be a factor if you want to dive dry in the future. Lastly, if you are planning on buying a computer, it will render some or all of your basic hosed gages redundant. Other than that, I can't think of anything that wouldn't be cross compatible.

 

[justleesa]

When I started diving and went gear shopping I got my BCD first. It was important to me to get my buoyancy going and for the BCD to fit better than the ones I had been renting.
The reg came along about a year later. I still have my 1st BCD, and am very very comfortable with it...but I now have my 2nd reg setup

 

[QuoVadis]

I posted a thread recently to seek the opinions of divers in Scubaboard about BCs. But when I went "window shopping" for the BC, I was asked whether I have regs already. I denied. I don't have both. The salesperson then said, why not get your regs first, then get BCs. Now I wanted the BC first, then only the regs. There came a guy telling me to get the regs first then the BC.

Is there a recommended sequence in purchasing equipments?!

I hope not. Cause I wouldn't wanna be stuck to a certain range or choices of either regs or BCs when I got the other first.

Thanks to all incoming replies.

Calvin.

In my opinion a quality regulator should be your first priority.

 

[saying]

I would get a reg first because the rules on buying a reg are pretty simple "Best one you can comfortably afford" whereas you should try a bunch of different BCs and decide which kind (much less exactly which one) fits and that you really like before you get one.

 

[Wijbrandus]

I purchased my BC first, since my bouyancy sucked. It's still not great, but a hell of a lot better now that I've got my BC relatively mastered and I've adapted to it.

I still don't own my own regulators. I've found it's much easier to rent a decent reg than it is to rent a decent BC.

 

[rcain1]

If you plan to dive for a long time it is much more economical to buy. Here is what I tell anybody that has ever come to me and expressed interest in SCUBA diving.

It is an expensive sport.
Ask divers and professionals for advice on everything.
Own all you gear! (Maybe not the tank) If you can’t afford it.

As far a diver who only gets to dive once and a while, it may seem better to rent gear. There is a million “buts” and this is where asking for “opinions” come into play.

This site is a great place to ask!

 

[Calvinator]

Well, my personal experience is:

i.) My buoyancy sucks!
ii.) I stumbled upon 2 faulty regulators in one single dive trip, which was my last trip, last month. The dive trip organizer changed the regulators for me F.O.C., but imagine, in 4 days, I used 3 different regulators! And luckily, the regulators went faulty when I was at surface and about to descend. I was thinking what if that happened during underwater. Hhhhmmmmm.....

So, I hope someone can advise me based on my previous experience.

Anyway, I have the Cressi-Sub's Flight Control System BCD, and, Atomic's T1x or Poseidon's Jetstream/Odin or Poseidon's Cyklon 5000 on my list. But due to capital costing problems, I can only get one at a time and eventually own my very own BCD and regs.

About equipments, I am also open to suggestions of more "value for money" equipments. Feel free to comment.

And I hope to also receive more suggestions on which one to purchase first.

Regards,
Calvin from Malaysia.