What brands do you recommend/not recommend?

[BDSC]

I just picked up a new Atomic B2, and have a Sherwood Magnum that was given to me as my secondary... I'm still in the market for my BC/computer. What are your experiences?

Well you made a very wise choice with your reg. when you bought the B2 so you should be set there. I think Atomic has the best regs on the market period.

As far as BC's, I have owned Scubapro BC's for the past 19 years and they have performed flawlessly. I have both a jacket bc (Classic Plus) and a BI bc (Seahawk) and with proper care and use, they will last you for many many years and are top quality.

I have had several computers and currently use the Sherwood Wisdom. It's the air intergrated console model. Very user friendly and the numbers are large and easy to read. Of course I have read nothing but rave reviews of the new Atomic computer but I think you can easily get by with something less expensive.

I'm assuming you have your fins but if not or you want something different to try I'd highly recommend the Scubapro Seawing Novas. Best fin I have ever owned.

 

[Scott L]

Dear God. Do NOT show that to Jax.

 

[vladimir]

Most people will have a limited basis for comparison. Even people who compulsively update their equipment when it is completely unnecessary to do so (ie., me) might only be exposed to a few brands in decades of diving. With that proviso, I recommend:

ScubaPro for vest-style BCs (I have owned 3 of them and have been happier with the design and quality than the Seatec clone, SeaQuest, and Dacor that I've owned),

Atomic for regulators (2, that I prefer to the Apeks, Dacors, and US Divers regs I have owned),

Mares (2 sets) and DiveRite (1 set) for fins, and

Suunto (1, a D9, that I prefer to the 3 Uwatecs, 1 USDivers, 1 Aeris, 1 DiveRite, and 1 Dacor that I've owned) for computers.

Personally, I think customer service is overrated. I have never needed it, with the exception of one computer recall, and I wouldn't let perceptions of the quality of customer service sway my decision much. But I am in the minority on that, it seems, and I would still avoid products like OMS that seem to have a horrible reputation.

 

[Scott L]

Most people will have a limited basis for comparison. Even people who compulsively update their equipment when it is completely unnecessary to do so (ie., me) might only be exposed to a few brands in decades of diving. With that proviso, I recommend:

ScubaPro for vest-style BCs (I have owned 3 of them and have been happier with the design and quality than the Seatec clone, SeaQuest, and Dacor that I've owned),

Atomic for regulators (2, that I prefer to the Apeks, Dacors, and US Divers regs I have owned),

Mares (2 sets) and DiveRite (1 set) for fins, and

Suunto (1, a D9, that I prefer to the 3 Uwatecs, 1 USDivers, 1 Aeris, 1 DiveRite, and 1 Dacor that I've owned) for computers.

Personally, I think customer service is overrated. I have never needed it, with the exception of one computer recall, and I wouldn't let perceptions of the quality of customer service sway my decision much. But I am in the minority on that, it seems, and I would still avoid products like OMS that seem to have a horrible reputation.

Great post. +1 on Atomic. With regard to customer service I have been diving since 1983 and have never required any manufacture support other than a few recalls (parts). Scuba gear is for the most part a hunk of rubber, high grade plastic and machined stainless steel.

 

[TSandM]

The majority of scuba equipment works (because the liability involved if it doesn't is untenable) and works as it is designed to do -- which is not to say that all designs work well!

In my experience, one's satisfaction with a lot of gear depends as much on how good the local support for it is, as it does on what the manufacturer's reputation is. No matter what gear you have, some of it will have problems occasionally. If you can fix it yourself, that's great, but if you can't, you want somebody nearby who can, because shipping things away for repair is a nuisance.

You might want to peruse THIS unbearably long thread for some ideas on products and brands that people have consistently been unhappy with.

Personally, I'll sing the praises of Deep Sea Supply (for customer service above and beyond) and White's (for listening to customer feedback, and modifying their products accordingly). Light Monkey also gets five stars in my book, for customer service and for high quality products. The only company I'm really unhappy with is Oxycheq, for failing to stand up when they made the error of selling a product that wasn't adequately beta tested.

 

[Superlyte27]

Oceanic - Regulators, BCD's, Computers
Shearwater - Computers
Dive Rite - Sidemount, Fins, Backplates and Wings, Lights
Hollis - Fins, Wings, B/P, Lights
Scubapro - Regulators
Harvey's - Wetsuits
Halcyon - Everything they make is very very good, and very very expensive.

Drysuits in this order...
DUI TLS350
Viking
Dive Rite
Northern Diver

This list is based on my own experience with gear I've owned, rented, borrowed or demo'd. Some items are far beyond others, like the Shearwater computer. There simply isn't anything that can touch it. Most of these products I've used extensively. And sadly, most of these items are pricey.

 

[bs63366]

I have to also go with Oxycheq's EXTREME Mark V wing as well. Oceaninc for their computers. You will also find that different gear is best for different situations. I have 3 pairs of fins and use them all just dependent on the dive that I am doing. There are really no "bad" big name companies, if you are going new I would see about trying things out at your LDS, another thing to keep in mind is servicing your gear. You will prolly want somewhere nearby to service your gear as opposed to having to send it off to get any service done on it. Just a few more things to think about.

Kyle

 

[CyprusSeb]

There is really no company I hate because of their products, more really "their products didn't work for me".

Oceanic computers didn't work for me. I use a Shearwater Predator and a Suunto Stinger as a gauge. The Stinger is great as it shows me time in seconds. Prior to using the Shearwater I used the Stinger as a computer and loved it. I can't say enough good about Shearwater's products and customer service. Never had any problems with their product, just had support questions which were always answered quickly.

HOG/Edge - I don't own any Edge products, just their HOG line and I love everything. Their Regs are great (I own 3 sets). There was an unfortunate design flaw with their small backup flashlight but HOG's dealing with the issue was swift and fair.

ScubaPro - What can be said about SP? They make some excellent products. All my stage regs are SP that I bought second hand. They have some "gimmicky" things that I personally won't buy...but it's business and I understand that. There's clearly a proven track record here.

Deep Sea Supply - Have only talked with them on the phone once. The first guy that answered was very short on the phone...but then when talked to Tobin I was very pleased. Much like shearwater, this type of customer service really sticks out in my mind. Will deal with DSS again with pleasure.

Oxycheq - Have a wing...great piece of kit...reading about their customer service it appears they have a lot of explaining to do. From reading about other people's experience on here I doubt they will see another dollar of mine unless they fix things quickly.

Halcyon - Bit pricey but no complaints on any product I've owned.

Since rarely do I buy direct from a manufacturer the support from whatever online "dive store" is as important to me as the manufacturer. When it's a pleasure to call and talk to them, you've found a good place. Personally I'm an avid diverightinscuba and addhelium fan. Dealing with Mike (DRIS) and Peter (AH) is always a pleasure. There's the occasional items I'll purchase from LeisurePro, ScubaToys, etc...but only if unavailable from the aforementioned sites.

Customer service is important to me...more now living on a rather remote island than it ever was before. Shearwater, DSS and HOG stick out to me as well as the two mentioned websites.

 

[Amphiprion]

I would suggest Zeagle not only for a bc if you choose this type, but their regulators are excellent. They may not have worldwide support if you plan on spending a summer in South East Asia for example, but they are good quality regs. In fact, I knew an instructor in mexico who became a certified Zeagle reg tech and told me it was a waste of time and money as nobody comes in with a broken Zeagle reg.

As far as my customer experience, I called up Zeagle with a reg question and they forwarded me to the engineer who designed it.

Regarding oxycheq, I have had no problems with their equipment and was even able to get the owner on the phone when I had a simple inflator question.

I think worldwide support is overrated for most divers, but if you do need this, companies I think probably have this include the following:
scubapro
apeks/aqualung
mares
cressi
tusa/tabata
oceanic/aeris (hollis is part of this group, but not sure if they have world wide support yet)
halcyon seems to have a broad distributorship based on my experience of running into Europeans who purchased their halcyon gear in Belgium.

As far as Suunto computers, many divers love them and many hate them. Some models can be very conservative which can be a problem on multi day dives on a live aboard vacation. The liquidvision computer is nice but maybe overkill for a newly certified diver and it costs over a grand. The same could be said for any suggestions for a shearwater computer or a Delta P VR3 or VRX.

 

[Superlyte27]

Our county bought Zeagle for Fire/Deputies/Etc. Bought 50 sets... A year later, they replaced them. Had multiple issues. I've never worn/used a zeagle, but there's a bad taste in my mouth based on what several deputies have told me.