Aloha,
A new diver here. Quickly I changed my original plan to over time; learn more of the options, viewpoints and seek used gear - after using the training gear. After reviewing prior extreme professional and sport experiences in regard to how I function and what comfort level I seek, I purchased complete new gear. Ive had excellent success with well cared for, high quality equipment. I knew I wanted to be as unaware (annoyed, distracted) of my gear as possible and for some reason I train myself to find things by location rather than sight.
I debated forth and back on each item weighing the info gained from research from divers, instructors, in literature and a lot from places such as this (thank you for existing ScubaBoard.) I do not think the gear I used in training was of poor or substandard quality, just not as high a level of user friendliness I appreciate. I felt I could spend a lot of time and money test diving and come to the same conclusion. Id be moaning and lusting for something else and eventually spending a lot more in the long run. Ill be primarily in open tropical water, a recreational rubbernecking sight seeker but my choices seem suitable for other the exception being cold water. Primarily shore access but gee, the boat diving is nice too. Granted Ive had limited experience with my choices but they all are excellent. I have no tanks yet, still thinking that over, probably go with used, biggest dilemma is size and material. As to color coordination (LOL) I lean to black (anyone out there with an avocado refrigerator) except for the fluorescent snorkel. Ive purchased everything at local dive stores; 1- to support the resource I appreciate having close at hand. 2- So I had immediate support and established relationship. 3- I learned a lot about warranty issues online and how the manufactures back up their products. The way I look at this is; this is a serious thing. Just learning required me to place my life in the hands of someone else. The first step is just like choosing a doctor, do you want the cheapest or the best care and advice. Im lucky, located with many excellent Diving resources at hand; it was possibly my most difficult choice, to determine where I would be most comfortable placing my trust.
I chose:
Atomic B2 1st and 2nd stage to me this was an really big thing. I chose the brand repairman highly recommended as well as many professional divers for all around high quality application, low maintenance, longevity, and female pro for the exact model. Can go Nitrox, the cold water aspect was a consideration. Ive appreciated the swivel more than I hoped and the dry mouth promised is true certainly compared to the training gear - an entirely different experience. I wish I could have afforded the lighter weight titanium.
Atomic SS1 alternate. In extreme self-sufficient experience I learned the value of things having multiple uses, to me its simplification although I can understand the opposite view. Once with an octopus was enough, most annoying. Fewer things to find and use. Im very comfortable giving up my 2nd stage. I figure for me to be able to help anyone else, I first need to be unstressed, back to #1 everything centers on air. This necklace thing for the alternate sounds like a make it do solution but I chose what I feel is an improvement.
OceanQuest Diva LX- all professional women divers I spoke with used and said they were happy. It is working well for me. I read vast differences of opinion on BCs but having learned from pool dive 2 where the dumps and alternate were; I wonder at the groping others report. I suspect the arrangement is logical to me, where I thought they should be. I have had problems with uncontrolled ascent. Im thinking the primary fault was trying to use weight I would achieve with experience (relaxation) rather than more than friends thought I should need. My LDS (Jacks Diving Locker) open boat dive captain has been instrumental in resolving the issue. A better grasp of subtle buoyancy changes with new wetsuit & positive fins hasnt hurt. I want a place for stuff like cameras, slate, light and nothing dangling so I definitely wanted big pockets that I could open and close single handedly with my eyes shut. The thought of anything tugging at my throat (like a sternum strap did) was of concern and Ive had compromised nerves in my shoulders (no fun to have dead hands) with packs and harnesses. I liked the fastex weight lock, those little handles looked too easy to snag on things and velcro strength erodes with time. Replacement is something I want to avoid with this application so I went for the additional expense of the Deluxe model hoping it will be better in the long run.
Oceanic Atom Computer back to streamlined, 1 less hose to keep track of. Cost was a significant factor. I wanted the PC uploading (past experience with detailed logs). Ive had need to deal with Oceanic with an extremely positive resolution and considerable live assistance with understanding concepts necessitated by my inexperience with the science. (I think PADI should consider dive computer a class.) I was worried about operation (gloves) and visibility (needing bifocals) but Ive had no problems. I think it otta be telling me my psi at a glance but Ive adapted to air time again the advantage of learning vs relearning.
Henderson Titanium Hyperstretch 3ml. LDS provided an excellent demonstration overcoming my trepidations re a full wetsuit constriction (I had a significant hyper exertion event due to constriction) and flexibility. I really like the full protection since just the lava here is vicious and I want no blood trails marking my surge whumps. I already had a Deep See shorty that was wonderful snorkeling but I got cold diving. I can wear it under the super stretchy full suit.
Sherwood Magnum mask Ive had for 5 years. I have a small head, chose with assistance (Big Island Divers have also been very patiently figuring out my needs).
Tusa Atima snorkel that is working out much better than the other equally expensive ones now in the loaner gear bag. I grew up on the water and not in it so being a new environment; I definitely want a functional snorkel. It rests un-noticeably and a whole lot more comfortable with out the tugging maybe due to my tiny head. Really interesting reading about snorkels on ScubaBoard. If I look like a geek its probably because I am a geek. I guess Im in the gear because I want to be having fun, if you dont like what you see, stop looking.
ScubaPro Twin Jet Fins another recent upgrade with significant improvement. Sought most power for least impact with a seriously ridden hard and put up wet for too many years knee. I want to be doing this for a long time. I thought they looked really big and cumbersome but the buckle clip thing is way mo betta for shore diving.
Deep See Aqua Purge 3/5 low bootie Im used to a little slip of a sock type bootie. I had to get new ones because the new fins hit me wrong. I see far more boot out there as a rule but I went with my gut. My wetsuit is plenty long (Im 54) so no problem with it being low. Really want a bootie here, Im telling you this island is raw lava, but a primary feature was the reinforced toe - I have pointy elf great toes.
Overall I knew I was selecting heavier gear like the Diva BC with limitations on the amount of weight I should be dealing with. It was really hard to just say no to the much lighter titanium 1st stage. I also have little redundancy and it is something Im giving a great deal of consideration. I expect I will make adjustments. So far all is good. Diving is better than I hoped for, Im far more comfortable underwater than I ever imagined Id be and the ocean is proving to be as enjoyable as the mountains were the first half of my life.
As for thoughts re your leanings, Ill stick my geek neck out and share what I learned from my research and personal feelings.
I did not hear good things about Mares, not bad, but not great.
I prefer to keep same family components unless there is a strong reason to vary. They are designed to work together. Servicing can be problematic as one manufacturer will blame problems on the other and be unhelpful with problem solving and/or compatibility.
Look for recalled products; does someone seem to have more than others?
And, why Im creating this, is that the why and where for is just the type of information I was looking for in choosing my gear. It is a new sport for me, I was naively surprised by the greatly varying recommendations and it took effort to figure out the questions to ask. Someone telling me ScubaPro is high quality was not all I needed. I needed to know how the opinion was derived, what was the environment. Were they old Navy SEALS, spear hunters, photographers, biologists? What was the reputation, personal experience, war stories, gut feeling and brand attachment? Who was giving me the opinion, what kind of diver were they, how conservative, adventurous, experienced, diverse? What was fun in diving for them? I looked at personal habits like how did they care for their equipment, what little comments did they make when not wearing the sales staff hat, what did they wish they had, want to get, planned to get.
And so, a long winded (a bit anal on the detail?lol) reply, but perhaps just what someone else was looking for if not you.
P.S. Anybody wanting give me feedback? My horizon can always use broadening.
Aloha,
redrover