Yes, the neoprene mask strap and the spring straps for fins are non-negotiables.
WETSUITS/MASK AND FINS WHAT BRANDS TO LOOK AT
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On the subject of split fins, there is one case where they can be really helpful and that's if you have bad knees. I snorkel 2000 yards in the pool at least 3 times a week, and I wouldn't be able to do that without splits due to bum knees.
2airishuman
Contributor
Let price, availability, and fit be your guide.
It is my experience that the fit aspect of mask selection is overrated as 90% of the masks that are out there will fit 90% of the population. Unless you have an unusually large or small face you will probably be OK with almost any mask. I like the masks at Dive Gear Express, and you could buy 3 of them and pick the one that you like best for the price of a single mask at a dive shop.
Wetsuit wise in the waters you're planning to dive, fit matters most. Cheaper brands will be less durable over the years but no wetsuit lasts forever and this is an area where it makes sense to upgrade later. If you're easy to fit you can buy on line, lesiurepro has good return policies and a reasonable selection. If you have an unusual body shape you may be better off shopping in person.
Depends on your cold tolerance. If you get cold easily then 5mm may be prudent. Most people would use a 3mm suit in these waters. Eventually you will probably end up with more than one wetsuit for various temperatures.
Asking what brands to look at for dive gear is a lot like asking what brand of truck you should buy. Some people will swear by Ford, others will tell you you should buy a Dodge or Chevy or Toyota. Ultimately what matters is to find what works best for you... which is rarely what works best for someone else.
Wetsuits: as everyone else has said, fit is the number one priority. I have O'Neil, Akona, Bare, Pinnacle, Waterproof, Aqualung, Xcel and Body Glove wetsuits and they all do the job well... because they fit right.
This is where an LDS can make a big difference over buying online. When I would fit my students with a new wetsuit, they would almost always complain it was too tight... when I could tell it was actually a little too loose. Having an experienced diver (i.e. your LDS staff, hopefully) available to help you fit the wetsuit properly is a huge benefit to keeping you comfortable in the water. It's worth noting that a new wetsuit, being tried on for the first time, will always feel much tighter than when you get it in the water (and have worn it for a few dives.)
Masks: it's really hard to tell what works until you can actually put it in the water and see through it. Only then can you get an idea for how it feels on your face, how well you can clear it, how buoyant it feels, and how comfortable you are with the field of view. But just as with a wetsuit, a properly fitting mask will make all the difference for your comfort during a dive.
Fins: similar to a mask, hard to tell how well your feet will work with them until you take them for a "test dive." But in general, you have to make sure the fin pockets fit your feet (fin pockets vary quite a bit in width and shape.) And the stiffness of the fin should match your leg strength. As others mentioned: spring straps are a no-brainer; I've never heard anyone recommend against them.
Beyond wetsuit, mask, fins... a dive computer is probably the next most important thing. Just as with cars, you can buy a basic model or a luxury model, or anything in between, and they'll all do the same job. The fancier options on the more expensive computers are nice... but not essential. Most dive computer manufacturers make an entry level wrist model that retails for around $300 (although you can frequently find them on sale for less.) Find one that has a display that you like (easy to read and understand) and menus that are intuitive to you.
Above all... have fun diving with your new gear!
Wetsuits: as everyone else has said, fit is the number one priority. I have O'Neil, Akona, Bare, Pinnacle, Waterproof, Aqualung, Xcel and Body Glove wetsuits and they all do the job well... because they fit right.
This is where an LDS can make a big difference over buying online. When I would fit my students with a new wetsuit, they would almost always complain it was too tight... when I could tell it was actually a little too loose. Having an experienced diver (i.e. your LDS staff, hopefully) available to help you fit the wetsuit properly is a huge benefit to keeping you comfortable in the water. It's worth noting that a new wetsuit, being tried on for the first time, will always feel much tighter than when you get it in the water (and have worn it for a few dives.)
Masks: it's really hard to tell what works until you can actually put it in the water and see through it. Only then can you get an idea for how it feels on your face, how well you can clear it, how buoyant it feels, and how comfortable you are with the field of view. But just as with a wetsuit, a properly fitting mask will make all the difference for your comfort during a dive.
Fins: similar to a mask, hard to tell how well your feet will work with them until you take them for a "test dive." But in general, you have to make sure the fin pockets fit your feet (fin pockets vary quite a bit in width and shape.) And the stiffness of the fin should match your leg strength. As others mentioned: spring straps are a no-brainer; I've never heard anyone recommend against them.
Beyond wetsuit, mask, fins... a dive computer is probably the next most important thing. Just as with cars, you can buy a basic model or a luxury model, or anything in between, and they'll all do the same job. The fancier options on the more expensive computers are nice... but not essential. Most dive computer manufacturers make an entry level wrist model that retails for around $300 (although you can frequently find them on sale for less.) Find one that has a display that you like (easy to read and understand) and menus that are intuitive to you.
Above all... have fun diving with your new gear!
I missed this part of your original post. Wetsuit thickness... the proper thickness varies a bit depending on your tolerance to the cold and how long you'll be in the water.
But of course the water temperature is the primary consideration. I would recommend that you research annual temperature ranges for where you think you'll be diving (in the process, you'll probably learn a lot more about those destinations besides water temps.) You'll likely find that your Caribbean destinations vary between 75 and 85 deg F over the year, while the west coast of Mexico will be a little cooler (depends on exactly where you're going.)
For water around 75 deg, most divers would use a 5mm full suit. In 85 deg water, most would use a 2mm shorty or no suit. For temps in between, you can extrapolate wetsuit thickness. But ultimately it's up to you to figure out what works best for you.
Important to keep in mind that it's very rare that you'll get too warm in a wetsuit. I prefer to wear my 5mm full in water up to 80 degrees, especially if I'm doing more than two dives a day or I'm diving several days in a row.
If water temp drops below 70 degrees, you really should consider a 7mm. Some people will argue that a 5mm is fine for temps between 60 and 70 degrees, but again... better to err on the side of warm.
Hope this helps!
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