Wanting to buy my first reg and BCD

[teonchagi]

Hi everyone! What a great idea for a new forum! I am a freshly certified diver and because I'm a gear junkie for anything I do, I neeeeeed my own gear for scuba too. I'm looking at getting the Mares Dragon BCD with the SLS weight pockets for a few reasons. It's in my budget, is the same brand as the other things I already own (mask, fins, snorkel, computer), can be serviced at a LDS near me, and has features I think I want based on the rental gear I used. I am a fluffy person, so I used 16lbs of lead during my OW class, but my instructor wanted me to take out 4lbs and try 12 for my last dive...and we both forgot, so I'm not sure how that would have gone. I have a huge rolling bag just for dive gear, so the space it takes up when traveling is not a big deal. I didn't find a very large number of reviews on it though, so opinions are welcome.

For my first reg, I've been looking at Deep 6 for the past few years, since long before I was certified. My hesitation is that I doubt I could have them serviced locally, and if something went wrong I'd be up the creek without a paddle. But then again, on vacation dives, I'd probably be up the same creek with any brand. I would love to do the service myself at some point, so Deep 6 would be the way to go for that, but I'm sure that's quite a while in the future.

I plan to dive annually on vacation in St Thomas USVI, but I also plan to dive locally (TX lakes unfortunately) as much as I can to keep skills fresh. Any other destination diving would be a bonus, but would be tropical.

 

[Streydog]

I have only been diving for 4 years and have gone through the whole not knowing what is what but wanting to get my own equipment phase. Like most I have spent money on stuff I am not using anymore. If I had it all to do over again besides mask, fins, exposure suite I would by a decent nitrox capable computer first: no more than $300. A regulator set second, then a BCD. Don't be afraid to buy used. If you can beat Guru Boy to the deals offered on used equipment in this area you can find some quality gear in great shape at half retail. Just kidding with Guru boy, he offers some great deals too.
I understand what you say about being a gear junkie, I am one too. Diving makes you a better diver, not the equipment.
I would not shy away from Deep 6 Regs due to local service issues. If you can't get them serviced locally, ship them off. It took me 3 weeks to get Atomics serviced in DFW.

 

[Akimbo]

If I had it all to do over again besides mask, fins, exposure suite I would by a decent nitrox capable computer first: no more than $300. A regulator set second, then a BCD.

There is a lot to be said for that strategy since computers have the steepest learning curve. Familiarity counts for a lot. You also have to decide on a strategy for your regulator setup and if you plan to use an air-integrated computer or an SPG and rent a wrist computer. Taking a Nitrox course may help you with that decision, and helps divers understand diving physiology much better even if they continue to dive air.

 

[Hoag]

One of the features that you mention about why you are interested in the BCD that you mentioned is that it "is the same brand as the other things I already own". Dive gear is not like some sports where having matching equipment from the same source is key to having it work best (golf clubs come to mind as something that you would want to match). For dive gear, it is, IMHO, far more important to get gear that works for you and for the type of diving that you will be doing than it is that it all matches.

I started out with a jacket BCD and found out about halfway through my first trip that I didn't like the way the bladder squeezed me when it was inflated. I switched after my first trip to a back inflate BCD shortly after I got home. I would recommend that you wait for a while before you pick up your BCD till you have given a few different styles a try. You may find that for you, a jacket BCD works well. You may prefer a back inflate. You may like a Back Plate & Wing (also referred to as a BP/W). You will likely find that there is a strong preference to BP/Ws here on SB, but what is important is that it is what suits you best, not what works best for me or for anyone else.

Take your time, and good luck with your search.

 

[uncfnp]

I have to agree with the others. I understand your desire for your own gear. Heck, we bought a near complete set as soon as we finished OW. But for such limited diving I’m not sure its worth it to immediately jump into the deep end. Get your toes wet first and see how it goes.

I also agree that a wrist computer would be a great start. As Akimbo said, it has the greatest learning curve but is also the easiest to pack for travel. And you can pick the features that are important to you and set it up the way you like it.

Owning your own reg set is nice but as you said, it has to be serviced and until you find you dive more, it just may not be worth it. In the mean time, watch for a good deal.

And unless you are hard to fit, the BCD would probably be the last to purchase and it will be the heaviest and bulkest of the three to pack for dive destinations.

 

[teonchagi]

Thanks everyone! I do actually have a wrist computer I bought just before my OW class so I got to train using it. We did the actual RDP tables, but as a bonus I got to use my computer too.

I’m kind of glad the deep 6 regs are out of stock since it’s giving me some time to keep researching lol. I was planning to go dive today, but I slept late so I’m not sure. Not having a buddy is tough...but we can’t buy those!

 

[uncfnp]

Look ar the Aqualung Mikron. Small size and weight and although not promoted as FYI it is actually fairly easy to get kits
(@Bryan@Vintage Double Hose Store | Vintage Double Hose)

and it’s very easy to service. Professional service is also widely available both in the US and abroad.

The only downside is that some are annoyed by the bubbles over mask that can happen with all small second stages.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

Why not consider Mares regs, since your local dive shop sells Mares? They are high end regulators. I have owned a Mares MR22 Abyss and Proton Metal for over 15 years and they have not given me a minutes trouble. I like that there aren't any knobs or levers to mess around with.

 

[uncfnp]

FYI. I do not know the seller but just say this posted...

https://www.scubaboard.com/community/attachments/20180722_091606-jpg.470554/

 

[Robertcrockett]

Love atomic regs... Grab a Z3 with a swivel mount... All their regs breathe exactly the same so your only reason to cost bump is a personal taste/need in material used. I would also suggest buying something more compact as a travel BCD to start. My travel BCD is a cressi aqua pro... You'll see the same one used in a thousand dive shops across the Caribbean (for good reason). It's basically inexpensive, tough as nails and it folds up compact... without giving up a lot of features like weight pockets etc... Space will become a big big premium if you like the tropical destinations..I take everything but lead and tanks and I can fit it all in one carry on sized bag that fits easily in the overhead.."clothes in an even smaller under seat bag... Traveling places like the Caribbean, Nicaragua, Honduras etc... On tiny puddle jumpers, little boats, tuk tuk taxis you will super appreciate being compact. I can always tell a new diver by the amount and size of luggage...lol and the fact that they are usually sweating profusely in a shiny new wetsuit while the rest of us are gearing up in old rash guards and ratty board shorts.