What equipment is essential to buy/own versus rent, in your opinion?

[diversteve]

Mask - buy the one that fits. Period. The ones that advertise soft-edge or silicon edge are likely to seal better. And cost more. Silicone masks will discolor and harden slightly over time. I like the light penetration with silicon better than a black rubber mask so I'm willing to buy a new one every 4-5 years. For a starting recommendation, I've had good luck with Tusa masks over the years. But really, go to a dive store and try them on till you get one that fits.

Personally I wouldn't buy a computer for once a year trips - although I do have one and lately that seems to be about my average also. The reason is most dive operators require one now so they'll either give you one or rent it for a nominal fee. And since it's theirs they know how to use it - and show you.

If you buy your own and only use it once a year you may forget how it works between trips. I've been on several day trips where someone is puzzling over how to use their computer that's been in storage since their last dive. Also the batteries don't last indefinitely so buy something that you can change the battery on yourself. At one time some Uwatec and Mares models required dealer/factory servicing for battery changes - when mine died unexpectedly it would have been $150 to replace it - IDK if that's still the case - I just bought a new one instead. I personally find Suunto's very intuitive - I can do everything I need to by working thru the menus after not having touched it for 6mos. or so. With my previous Uwatec I had to carry the manual on just about every trip.

If you get an Air Integrated computer you'll have to carry the transmitter with you and install it on any rental reg. And hopefully not forget it when you leave. Of course if you buy a reg then just permanently install the transmitter on yours.

For signal gear, probably a whistle and some sort of surface signaling device will suffice. You can usually rent an SMB at your destination also. I recently added a LED flasher for night dives but most operators will give/sell you a disposable cyalume lightstick if required.

Most better regs are in the 2-2.5 lb. range. Mine fit loose in my carry-on easily. There are also several travel regs - the Apeks Flight is advertised as the lightest reg in the world - many mfr's also sell a lightweight higher end reg made of Titanium components. I have an Atomic T2 - it's among the lightest at 1.8lbs. Their least expensive model, the Z2X is 2.3 lbs. So a slight difference consider one is $1100 more.

If you buy, you also should probably buy something well-known so that in the rare case that parts/service are needed on-site you can find someone who will have them and is authorized to do the work - although it's not really rocket science so any well trained tech can probably service most brands if necessary. In decades of diving I've needed to do that once. But I have my regs serviced before most trips and I test them after they're serviced - a percentage of problems often occur the 1st couple of dives after servicing.

Most tanks you'll encounter in the ABC's and elsewhere at Caribbean/U.S. dive locations - will have a Yoke valve so buy a yoke regulator. If you did go somewhere that you needed DIN, you can buy an adapter. People will tell you DIN is better - it probably is - but I almost never see DIN tanks in the Caribbean. If you check the ABC forum, there's a thread there now about where to find DIN tanks on Bonaire - I know of 4 operators that have them. There must be close to 25 dive operators (or more) on Bonaire that have Yoke tanks as standard. I've been to most of the top 10 Caribbean dive destinations and all were mostly Yoke.

You can buy a somewhat universal mouthpiece that might fit a lot of models since just a tie-wrap holds it on. So you could probably get a rental reg for the week, change it and then change it back b4 you leave. Most operators will rent you the same reg all week as long as you're diving with them. I believe (someone else verify this) that some ScubaPro's are a slightly different size. I see a lot of ScubaPro and Sherwood rental gear - Aqualung also. So something that fits the majority would work. Seacure makes a line of replacement mouthpieces that are very comfortable.

Should you want to buy a travel BC, there are models specifically designed for that. Most are for warm-water diving also due to reduced lift. Zeagle makes two - the Stiletto and the Express Tech. Aqualung has the Zuma and ScubaPro has the GO and the Litehawk. And there's a lot of others - typically they're more streamlined with smaller weight capacities and bladders so cost less also. Google Travel BCD for more options.

 

[oreocookie]

The one piece of gear that I cannot/will not rent is my mask because I have prescription lenses, but even if I didn't, fit is key. Computer would be my next item to not want to rent. For everything else, I could still dive with rentals. That said, I take everything (mask, fins, boots, wetsuit, regs, bc, computer, lights, etc) because I have them and fit just under the weight limit (the 50lb limit most airlines have, anyway).

Since your main concern is weight, I'll point out that some gear designed with travel in mind is very light, the Aqualung Zuma bc for example is advertised at 4.4lbs for the M/L size with enough lift that you could probably use it for local diving too if you wanted (if you're on the smaller side though, it would be travel only). Regs can be in the 3 to 4lb range. Depending on how much the suitcase itself weighs, you've got the other 25-30lbs for everything else. Some fins are heavy, some not so much. For regs, it is possible to get a reg that can't be used everywhere and could require an adapter (If you're diving mainly in the Caribbean, if you get a yoke reg you should be good to go, if you get din you'd have to bring a yoke adapter with you just in case). As far as bringing your own mouthpiece, the shop you get rentals from might not like you swapping the mouthpieces; might be more hassle than it's worth, anyway.

I don't know if you're saying the limit is 40lbs for both checked bag and carry-on or checked only, but if that's just for the checked bag, sometimes a little smart/creative packing helps. Spread the weight around between your checked and carry-on bags if you can (within the limits, at least).

EDIT: My computer crashed between typing this response and posting it (thank you, auto-save), so diversteve got to a bunch of things before me. He does mention a few options for travel bc's, so I'd add that you have to realize that they're not all created equal. The Zeagles for example have the same lift capacity regardless of harness size whereas some others (like the Zuma) have different lift capacity for different harness sizes. That's only an issue if you want to do local diving with it. If you're counting the pounds, my Stiletto for example, is 50% heavier than a Zuma, but still considered a lightweight travel bc.

 

[drrich2]

Not sure what the charges are for an extra bag both ways, but be mindful rentals aren't free, so you might cost compare.

I concur with the mask first, and probably computer second. I value computers that log the dive data & can download it to a PC, which means a mid-range or better computer that's coming home with me.

That assumes you're an 'off the rack' kind of person.

I've got a head like a bowling ball and wear size 15 shoes. Guess what? Dive boots that fit me aren't just laying around everywhere, and for Bonaire's ironshore, I really like my SeaSoft Sunrays (they only make up to a 13-14, but I make do and they're okay). My new 2x Henderson AquaLock hood is rather tight across the jaw.

Oh, what are the odds sooner or later one of your family will leave the wireless transmitter from an AI wrist computer on a rental regulator & fly home without it?

Richard.

P.S.: You mentioned the ABC islands. It takes very little clothing to get by a week in Bonaire. I don't know about puddle jumper flights, but at least the mainstream U.S. airlines often let me get wear a backpack on board and that doesn't count as my carry on. It's a LowePro & carries camera equipment. But it could carry a few clothes instead. Find out just how far the definition of things like 'one personal item' goes.

 

[Bratface]

Mask, Computer, Wetsuit should get you diving comfortably. Next to add is your own Regulator and Fins if you can get them in your luggage without going overweight. Add a mesh bag to take it on the boat. I have friends who dive around the world and take everything I have mentioned. They usually just rent BC's. They have no problems packing.

 

[danvolker]

1. Perfect fitting mask
2. High end fins --efficient and powerful, that fit you perfectly. Do you want to struggle to get around underwater, or have it easy for you?

Almost all regs are good, so rent...
Most BC's are sloppy and similar, and you are far from BP/wing, so go with renting bc
Everything else you could rent.

Every time you are starting out with rental gear you have not used before, you need some minutes to find OPTIMAL weighting for each dive. This may be your biggest challenge, because the people that own their own stuff, find optimal weighting and don't have to do it all over again every dive trip....Still, it is not that hard. With many boats, you could be allowed to jump in a few minutes early to check weighting/bouyancy, prior to when every one is dropping in on the dive.

 

[oreocookie]

Most BC's are sloppy and similar, and you are far from BP/wing, so go with renting bc

what exactly do you mean by "and you are far from BP/wing"? I think you're the first person to mention a bp/w in this thread, though I did consider mentioning it. I have not yet tried one (hence my hesitation to recommend one), but wouldn't an aluminum plate and a small wing be fairly light and compact for packing? I don't really know the numbers, but I'd think weight-wise, it would be roughly on par with some of the travel bc's already mentioned and may pack better given the modular nature of it.

 

[danvolker]

what exactly do you mean by "and you are far from BP/wing"? I think you're the first person to mention a bp/w in this thread, though I did consider mentioning it. I have not yet tried one (hence my hesitation to recommend one), but wouldn't an aluminum plate and a small wing be fairly light and compact for packing? I don't really know the numbers, but I'd think weight-wise, it would be roughly on par with some of the travel bc's already mentioned and may pack better given the modular nature of it.

Not meant as a "slight"....From the sound of your question, it seems apparent you are fairly new to diving. If you are considering renting all your gear, or much of it, you are in a very different place than a diver considering a bp/wing set up. For one, you will not be renting these in 99.9 99% of the possible dive destinations you may be thinking about. Next, if you bought one, then you would be needing to have your long hose and necklace reg, and this is unlikely to find as rental gear either. Also, learning how to achieve a custom fit the Bp/wing is at least a full day with someone skilled in this. I'm saying that the person ready to commit to all of this, is not the person that would be thinking about renting all or most gear..... Diving is about having FUN, so this is not me saying you are wrong to want to get in to diving as you suggest. It is just a very different path from the bp/wing path. Both PATHS can allow lots of fun.

 

[oreocookie]

Dan, as I'm not the OP, I wasn't taking that as a slight, it was more of a curiosity about your wording as I'm quite familiar with the dynamic on this board about bp/w vs jacket. I see your point, though I'm not sure I agree that a bp/w must necessarily be accompanied by a long hose reg setup (but that's for another thread). You didn't answer my question about how an aluminum plate and small wing pack compared to the average travel bc, though.

 

[supergaijin]

As many posters have said
1. Mask

2. Fins
Nothing worse than having ill-fitting fins that give you blisters, or are as flexible as paper from having been left in the sun for too long. Get a decent pair- not cheap snorkeling fins.

3. Surface signals. SMB and mirror.

4. Balanced 1st stage regulator.
My next one would be a reg. I have worked in a bunch of shops, some shops seemed to specialise in reg destruction. One such shop was in Sharm el Sheikh where gear was often left wet (not rinsed) in crates over a week. Other countries such as in SE Asia experience dry seasons and for a couple of months, fresh water is scarce and reg rinsing is often done very briefly in very bad quality water, leading to problems with performance if you need to breathe heavily in a given situation. Having your own reg limits this exposure to bad conditions. Less chance of finding vomit and cockroaches inside as well.

5. Computer
In this day and age, every diver should have access to one. Buy or rent? That's completely up to you but most divers should have them given today's 'normal' diving ie. repetitive, relatively deep, multi-level dives. If you have your own, you should know how it works and what the info display means. Potentially with rentals, confusion could arise with unknown models.

BCD I would rent as they're pretty rugged and unlikely to fail catastrophically , bulky to travel with. Wetsuit I'd rent unless you have a weird bodyshape or get cold easily. (Buy a vest)

 

[danvolker]

You didn't answer my question about how an aluminum plate and small wing pack compared to the average travel bc, though.

A travel BC is usually going to sacrifice structure required to hold tank in EXACTLY the best place, with zero movement. When I make a sudden turn or movement, my tank moves as if it was part of my body, part of my back....A typical travel BC would have me making the same movement, and then I would feel the tank begin to move, and to jostle around a while until it settles down to a new position on my back...this upsets trim, it can effect position of the OPV in your attempts to dump precise amounts of air....
Speaking of the dumping from OPV, this is another failure area in many travel BC's....Assuming the travel BC in question even has a rear dump, the issue of where on the bladder the rear OPV resides is a big issue....A BC like the Transpac by DiveRite has a wing, but it has the OPV below the tip of the wing, with several inches between....This means that if you are perfectly trimmed and horizontal, and you want to dump air out of the wing with the poor OPV placement, there will be a pocket of air always caught in the tip of the wings which could be 7 or 8 pounds of lift you can't dump...meaning you have to go vertical to shoulder dump, and that is hugely LAME !!!!
It gets down to how much control and perfection you want to give up....and also the WHY about why you should give this up....
The weight of an aluminum bp and 30 pound wing set up is negligably different from the so called "travel bc's". The "cost" in any extra weight is more than made up by far better performance. I like to feel plugged in and perfectly at home on any dive, especially on a cool dive trip....

Another way of seeing this.....As a cyclist, sometimes you have DREAM VACATIONS FOR CYCLING you will go on.....We did an Italy trip a few times, to ride in the mountains of the Amalfi coast, and a few other areas. Some cyclists would consider leaving their awesome bike home, and renting a bike in Itally. To me, the cost of shipping my bike was mandatory...My bike fits me perfectly, I know exactly what I can do in a switchback mountain descent with it, and this comes from years of time riding it.. I know it as my own body.....with a rental, everything changes....the DREAM VACATION is still awesome, but with the rental, you can't push the envelope, and the years of training for this trip is somewhat wasted, because you can't use all the skills you drilled for all this time---it is not the same on the rental,not even close....

Critical dive gear on a dream dive vacation is not so much different.