Thinking to get BC or reg.....

Which to get first? BC or reg?


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I bought my BC first. Mainly because I didn't like any of the BCs I used during my re-certification class. The dive shop I deal with has well-maintained regs, and I was able to rent the same set every time I dove until I bought my own the next year. That was nice since I was able to become familiar with the set like it was my own.
 
Calvin-Just a thought, but Triple L "www.triple-l.biz" has been selling BC's factory direct. One particular model, the Orion, is a back inflate that looks suspiciously exactly like a model Poseidon retails for over $600. The Orion can be had in the US for about $150 delivered. They are manufactured quite close to you. Do yourself a favor and avoid mechanisms like "Flight control". It sure sounds like a space age breakthru. Make sure you have one the next time you fly but avoid it for diving. The functionality of these devices require more complexity, which leads to more potential failures. They are a suposed solution to a non-existant problem. If you own and learn to use a "conventional" inflator system, it is likely that no matter where you go or what you would rent if need be, you could adapt to it, as all standard inflators function the same. Your choice of regulators looks good to me but make certain that you can get Poseidon regs serviced if you go that way.
 
yknot:
Do yourself a favor and avoid mechanisms like "Flight control". They are a suposed solution to a non-existant problem.

Dear ynot,
Refering to the quote, I look at it from another angle and see that it's just another way, or new way to do one same thing. Not a solution to any problem.
 
calvinator
my 2 cents
I use a back inflate bc , it leaves the door open for future training in tech dive with out buying another
I dive both warm and cold water how cold try 39 deg
buy a cold water reg . why they leave the door open if you decide to take a trip and dive cold water
buy the best reg , apexs tx200, scubapro 600
why your life
think about all the money you spend on other things in your life and then when it comes to diveing and dieing , people just seem to forget and only look at the cost
own your equipment ,find an lds who has a tech diver there and see if he does the service on regs and stuff
have a good day
 
Calvin, I think your problem lies with the dive operator, not the equipment...
If I were you I'd change operators and carry on renting properly maintained equipment. There must be at least one decent operator in Malaysia. Where abouts do you dive?



Calvinator:
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.....
 
Calvin,
I bought mu BCD first. Not because I was having problems with my bouyancy, but because I was able to afford the BCD I felt fit me and my diving style first. That also gave me time to save towards a reg. While I was saving towards a reg set, I decided which one I wanted and could afford. If you're having trouble with rented regs, that my be the best was to go first. Also, take advice from people, but don't let them decide for you. If you want to know how a certain reg or BCD acts in water, ask someone who has one. Search the boards here. Don't get something because one person or even a group of people say it's the best. It may be for them, but that might not neccesarily be true for you. If you want a back inflate because it will fit you dive style better, more power to you. If want a DIN reg 'cause you want dive with HP, more power to you. Think about what you will be using it for. Make an informed decision and you can't go worng. BUT, remember, it's YOU using it, not the salesman!

Dive Long and Prosper!
 
I bought my BC first. I don't have a reg yet because I'm not sure about what I want. I tried about 5 in the pool at my LDS and they all pretty much seemed the same to me. I figure after I've got good bouyancy control, then I can concentrate on the differences between the regs without worrying about shooting to the surface or kicking up silt.
 
Calvin -

Scuba Duke makes some good points about buying what is right for you... ScubaBoard is a great resource for many opinions and sound advice, and LDSs can be as well. But just remember that each LDS will have its own biases, just like the members of ScubaBoard.

Personally, I would recommend getting the regs first, especially based on your experiences. Recreational scuba diving is meant to be a relaxing sport, and one of the most important means of feeling relaxed is to trust the gear that you're using. Given that you've had trouble with rented regs before, I'm willing to bet that it will be weighing on your mind the next time you take out a rented reg. Even if you switch shops for renting, your past experiences won't disappear. Personally, I've found that rented regs can be a lot more troublesome than rented BCs, and a lot more nerve-racking to a new diver.

The reg is the most important piece of equipment you'll own (other than your brain!), and it's for that reason that I think it's the first piece of equipment you should buy. While it's much easier to perfect buoyancy with your own BC, you will still get plenty of practice with a rented one. It's a lot harder to practice living with a reg that fails down under...

Just my 2 cents.
 
BTW - I bought both my BC and reg at once... And if you can swing it, I really think you should. But, if money is an issue, I defer to my statement above...
 
Get your Reg it will connect to any rental BC. Put the money into a good reg set which you can use for years. Try different BC configurations and styles then decide on the BC you want. You may go to the other side and only need to lengthen your reg hoses with your BP and wing, but if you get a jacket BC then try a back inflation BC you may feel trapped by the purchase.

On the other hand you may get a good deal on both a BC and reg that makes it a worthwhile purchase.
 

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