Which ones to buy...

[boney]

Just getting back into diving again and I am thinking about buying the following equipment. Here's my diving habits.
Recreational diving in Ontario - Lake Simcoe and Tobermory, if I can save up enough $$$ I'll also do some trips down to warmer waters.

BCD - gotta go with the Seaquest ProQD - seems to have the best price to features

Now for the reg. I am leaning towards the Aqualung Titan/Glacia combo, or the ScubaPro MK2/R190. I was also thinking about a Mares MR12 Axis for 1st and 2nd stage. But I've heard Mares have "rattling" issues during exhales.

What do you guys think of this? Are there anythings I should be aware of before I get these? Any comments?

Thanks!!!

 

[MikeFerrara]

You soung heavily influenced by an Aqualung dealer.

 

[Scubaroo]

Are you aware of the difference between a jacket BC and back-inflate BC? SeaQuest have both types - the ProQD is a jacket, and I used to own one. Very bulky up front compared to my current rig, and the pockets are hard to access, especially if you have any amount of weight in them, like you will in cold water.

Take a closer look at the Balance, which is a back-inflate - might even be cheaper, and you could enjoy diving it more.

 

[Pappy]

Asking people on this board about equipment and brand names makes less sense that asking somone which religion is best.

Someone may have been diving "Highrobgobbin III" equipment for years and will tell you is the BEST but just because it works for them doesn't make it right for you.

You will read Aqualung "YES!", Aqualung "NO", Scubapro "YES", Scubapro "NO", splitfins "YES splitfins "NO" until you shut your computer off in disgust.

Sure...You will make mistakes on equipment purchases, as does everyone, but, to me,that is part of the learning process.

Ultimately, the equipment has to suit you, no one else, regardless of their years of experience or their number of posts on this board.

 

[deepwater]

Bump up for Pappy.

I dive an OMS IQ and a Halcyon backlate/wing, because the work for me.

I also dive a delta 3/ cdx5 and a titan, again because they work for me.

I also have 2 other bcs' and 3 other regs, I've been diving a long time.

If you want to know what's best, then go to your lds and try some things out and pick what works for you.

happy diving....

dw

 

[ScoobyDave]

Ditto's to what everyone else here has said.

When outfitting my new gear portfolio, I went to various shops and rented candidate gear to see what works best for my type of diving, and what I might anticipate diving in the near future.

I know there's more dealers in the Toronto area than your seaquest/aqualung dealer, so go try other gear and make sure it works best for you. Nothing against any of the items you mentioned, just explore your options before you drop a big load of cash on gear.

And, welcome back to diving. I'm really enjoying my return!

 

[diverlady]

Try them first if you can.

The equipment that's best for YOU is the stuff you are most comfortable in and fits you the best.

Try out as much stuff as possible before paying out the big bucks!!

Diverlady

 

[pjdc1]

Just starting my search for my own equiptment
and I thought " where do I start"?

Use the search option at the top of the page and
put in what your looking for ex... Aqua Lung reg,
Seaquest bc ... etc.

You will find many threads specific to that item.
Thats what helped me greatly.

Next you go to your LDS and see if they have the item
you are interested in so you can try it on.
See if you can take a test dive in the pool.

Personal preference.

Apex ATX 50 - reg
Scuba pro Knighthawk ( Backinflate) BC.

P.

 

[Pappy]

Getting your equipment right is a matter of trial and error at best.
It is part of the learning curve and, unfortunately, part of the expense of the sport.
That's why I have a pair of Force Fins, a pair of split fins, two other brands of fins, four masks and various other bits equipment hanging on the wall, never to be used again.
While I don't doubt that they may be the best thing since sliced bread for others, they just did not work for me.
Besides, I'm a sucker for a snazzy marketing ploy!!