What gear to buy for a beginner

[nldiver1984]

Hi,

I'm sure this is posted somewhere else on the board but my searches turned up no results. Anyway, besides having the required mask, fins, and snorkel what would be the next piece of gear I should buy? A BCD? I was looking at the rental prices on some of the gear and noticed that it can get quite pricey so I thought I'd start getting gear a piece at a time. I was looking at some Cressi and Seac EGO BCDs on Ebay but I'm not sure how serviceable these are in North America in case something does happen with them.

Thanks.

 

[Keith.M]

I think the first thing you could buy would be a computer, although a BCD would be a pretty good choice as well.

I invested heavily right after certification and looking back, could have saved some money buying used or going with a simple BP/W.

Many folks also end up, "buying their gear twice" because they want to try something different than what they started on.

I would stay away from any jacket BCD and go for a back inflate model or a BP/W.

I started out with an Oceanic Excursion II BCD. It is very nice and cost about $550. But I am currently preparing to use a BP/W that I am assembling. Dive gear Express has a great deal on a close out Dive Right set-up.

Special Purchase, Clearance, Closeout, and Discontinued Merchandise - Dive Gear Express $299 for aluminum plate, add 20 for a steel plate.

A hogarthian backplate/wing/harness package for single tank diving at a value price:
•Dive Rite {25 lb | 11 kg} wing
•Two stainless steel quick-release buckle tank straps
•Basic hogarthian harness with all S/S hardware
•2-inch padded crotch strap w/scooter ring
•Aluminum or steel backplate
•Assembly screws


With that savings of $250, you could buy a pretty decent recreational computer.

 

[Colliam7]

I'm sure this is posted somewhere else on the board but my searches turned up no results. Anyway, besides having the required mask, fins, and snorkel what would be the next piece of gear I should buy?

I have to ask, what terms / words did you enter in the 'Search' window?

Yes, this is a question asked with some frequency, and the posts often begin with similar comment, to the effect that 'my search produced no results'. So, for grins and giggles, I just tried three searches, using somewhat different 3-4 word phrases:

Entering ‘Beginner gear purchases’ turned up 220 threads, among them:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/409909-prioritizing-gear.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...-got-ow-not-sure-what-type-first-bcd-buy.html

Entering ‘sequence buying gear’ turned up 55 threads, among them:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/285295-first-gear-invest.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...g/270683-what-order-should-i-buy-my-gear.html

And, ‘New diver buying gear’ turned up 500 threads, among them:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ge...cussions/445727-what-would-you-buy-first.html

It is fine to post the question again, and you are already getting feedback. In fact, I will add my own: do these three searches and spend an evening (or 3) reading all the posts that have titles that seem like they may be relevant. What you will conclude is that there is no ONE AND ONLY ONE proper sequence (and people disagree on the sequence), and there is no shortage of opinion on the subject of gear purchase sequence, gear model selection, gear brand preference, gear condition (new vs used), gear source (purchase vs rent) among divers on SB.

But, I am really more curious that your 'searches turned up no results.'.

 

[freewillie]

It depends on what you want and what you can afford. There are many different ideas on what is the first most essential piece of gear.

Some say that regulators are the most important because they are "life support" equipment. When you think about it almost every piece of gear becomes life support underwater. A computer is also a very good since they help decrease risk decompression illness etc. The readouts vary by model so having your own helps decrease getting confused or missing essential information.

But, if you rented either a reg or a computer both would work without any significant adjustments. However, my $0.02 is to start with buying gear that is what I would refer to as "personal fit" items such as wetsuits and BC's. Just like masks and fins fit different faces and feet, the comfort and fit of wetsuits and BC's will vary with brands and models. You are at the mercy of the Dive Shop as to what brands they carry and how many sizing options are available when you rent. Your local LDS my have lots of brands and size choices but when you travel you may not have as many options available to you.

My daughter is a very difficult size to find since she is Xsmall. Most BC's have fit, but didn't fit well. I recently purchased her very own BC and it fit much better than the previous rentals. She noticed the improvement on her first dive with her new BC. It is also a travel back inflate so it will be going with us when we go to Cancun for August, but has more that enough lift for cold water diving here with 7mm wetsuits and hood, gloves, and booties.

Wetsuits are similar and fit can vary with brands as well. Aqualung wetsuits in general do not fit me very well but are very common brands for rental. Also, there is the hygeine factor since many rentors don't always use the bathroom while diving. Actually, most divers don't either but hey, at least it's my own suit!

In any event there is no right or wrong answer, just personal preference.

 

[Wah]

I have to ask, what terms / words did you enter in the 'Search' window?

Yes, this is a question asked with some frequency, and the posts often begin with similar comment, to the effect that 'my search produced no results'. So, for grins and giggles, I just tried three searches, using somewhat different 3-4 word phrases:

Entering ‘Beginner gear purchases’ turned up 220 threads, among them:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/409909-prioritizing-gear.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...-got-ow-not-sure-what-type-first-bcd-buy.html

Entering ‘sequence buying gear’ turned up 55 threads, among them:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/285295-first-gear-invest.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...g/270683-what-order-should-i-buy-my-gear.html

And, ‘New diver buying gear’ turned up 500 threads, among them:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ge...cussions/445727-what-would-you-buy-first.html

It is fine to post the question again, and you are already getting feedback. In fact, I will add my own: do these three searches and spend an evening (or 3) reading all the posts that have titles that seem like they may be relevant. What you will conclude is that there is no ONE AND ONLY ONE proper sequence (and people disagree on the sequence), and there is no shortage of opinion on the subject of gear purchase sequence, gear model selection, gear brand preference, gear condition (new vs used), gear source (purchase vs rent) among divers on SB.

But, I am really more curious that your 'searches turned up no results.'.

Dude, seriously?

 

[CT-Rich]

I agree with personal fit items. An exposure suit will make all your dives more enjoyable. A computer is a handy item to keep track of your dives, but is not really essential in the beginning. you probalby won't be going long enough or deep enough to come very close to the NDL. If you have access to a reliable LDS that takes care of its gear and customers, wait on buying a reg for a bit, until you know what you are looking for. The gear that will make a dive good or bad are usually those related to Boyancy, like exposure suit, BCD and a weight belt. Cutting tools and accessories can be bought piecemeal and I enjoy window shopping for. Yes, we have all bought dog equipment or stuff that we just don't need that often (I still have a set of 3 finger mitts I bought in the 80's that I have used maybe a half dozen times.

Don't be in a hurry to get in the water looking like a christmas tree. A good piece of gear will be enjoyed a long time, crap on the other hand will just get under foot in your basement...

 

[nldiver1984]

I have to ask, what terms / words did you enter in the 'Search' window?

Yes, this is a question asked with some frequency, and the posts often begin with similar comment, to the effect that 'my search produced no results'. So, for grins and giggles, I just tried three searches, using somewhat different 3-4 word phrases:

Entering ‘Beginner gear purchases’ turned up 220 threads, among them:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/409909-prioritizing-gear.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/bu...-got-ow-not-sure-what-type-first-bcd-buy.html

Entering ‘sequence buying gear’ turned up 55 threads, among them:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/new-divers-those-considering-diving/285295-first-gear-invest.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ne...g/270683-what-order-should-i-buy-my-gear.html

And, ‘New diver buying gear’ turned up 500 threads, among them:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ge...cussions/445727-what-would-you-buy-first.html

It is fine to post the question again, and you are already getting feedback. In fact, I will add my own: do these three searches and spend an evening (or 3) reading all the posts that have titles that seem like they may be relevant. What you will conclude is that there is no ONE AND ONLY ONE proper sequence (and people disagree on the sequence), and there is no shortage of opinion on the subject of gear purchase sequence, gear model selection, gear brand preference, gear condition (new vs used), gear source (purchase vs rent) among divers on SB.

But, I am really more curious that your 'searches turned up no results.'.

I'm not familiar with the layout of this board so I may have looked in the wrong section. It was only after I created this thread that I was presented with similar threads. Thanks for replying though and not giving me a link to something that may/may not be relevant to my question.

 

[rhwestfall]

Exposure for the type of diving you are doing
PDC (if LDS doesn't rent - around here they don't)
regs*
bcd*

As said, other accessories become "when possible" dependent on need (not dsesire, but need)


LAST - Tanks!!!!! (or duplicate gear)

Slow down, and learn to dive...

Oh, and have fun!!!!
* - those can be switched though there will be suggestions either way....

 

[eelnoraa]

Where do you dive? cold water or warm water?

If cold water, I would say a proper exposure suit first. A thick wetsuit that doesn't fit, and worse, different wetsuit each time you rent make it harder for you to work on your buoyancy. Then I would suggest a BC. Again, this is because I think being consistancy in items that affect your buoyance is more important. After this, I will get a computer that fit your type of diving. And last would be regulator. This is my pick.

 

[beaverdivers]

I regulator is a good place to start.