Follow up question: Are most of you loyal to one specific LDS or do you shop around and also buy online?
It depends on the LDS. Mine is fab, pretty excellent all around, and known from its online shop (DRIS).
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Follow up question: Are most of you loyal to one specific LDS or do you shop around and also buy online?
Are most of you loyal to one specific LDS or do you shop around and also buy online?
Capsfan22 is right and exactly what I recommend to all new divers! Buy yourself a dive computer; it's the most important gear you will risk your life on. ..why rent something you've never used? They are so much more affordable now and I have the scubapro Aladin one and my husband has the later and better version, scubapro tec 3G (three gasses) because we can change the battery on our own; they're great, affordable computers with all the bells and whistles. Find yourself the right fins, mask, and boots (this seemingly basic stuff is actually not intuitive because everything fits fine until you find your version of seac fins and cressi big eye mask). Don't buy anything else until you dive a lot more and actually wear the bcd like a glove! This took me over 50 dives trying on new bcds all the time before choosing my Zeagle Stiletto. It also depends on the kind of diver you turn out to be (tech, wreck, rec, warm or cold water). Finally, the last thing I bought was my regulator (LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my AquaLung Legend set as I can use it on warm and cold water dives! !!!!!!!!!!). Suits are preference and depending on where you dive you will need a different thickness. Bottom line on suits: you will always find one comfortable for you; buy one you will use immediately and for the near future.
Don't settle on a set. Most divers have a mix of everything and we compare to find better versions. Wait as long as you can before buying a BCD; it's the most important and expensive investment which will last over 20 years if you keep it well. Buy yourself a versatile dive computer that you can change the battery on your own (my husband had the Uwatech Aladin Pro, now purchased by ScubaPro, and the battery changes alone cost $100!). Buy a regulator once you know where you will dive as the cold water compatible ones are more expensive.
If I bought a set after getting certified, I would have a good AquaLung set. ...not my perfect Frankenstein I currently own! Thinking about selling/trading pieces individually is annoying and time consuming, especially if you find the perfect solution but wait until you sell yours before buying it. Just wait on some components; you'll be much happier.
Follow up question: Are most of you loyal to one specific LDS or do you shop around and also buy online?
Cool; everyone has their own opinion. Generally from my experience, most dive shops have very good, standard BCDs for rent and give you a competitive price when renting. The computers are OK, but sometimes quit. Since he disclosed he is a new diver, thereby acknowledging he won't know the dive sites and therefore plan or multilevel dives, I think it's the most important for someone to monitor depth, time, and ascending rate (they beep loudly when you're ascending too fast). Besides, we never go backwards when we discover a tool that aids us; if you insist on not getting a computer, I hope you have a depth Guage and know your dive! Cousteau already discovered many diving illnesses for us; no need to verify his dive bends theory! On a more serious note, all the shops I've gone with require a computer.I am sorry but I need to disagree with the advice you are giving. Dive computers only became popular in the mid-to-late 1990s when the prices started to drop. People have been diving without a computer for about 50 years before that. Some agencies GUE/UTD/ICE do not recommend a dive computer. So dive computers are not the most important piece of safety gear. Your most important piece of safety gear is yourself. Second, is a competent buddy.
Cool; everyone has their own opinion. Generally from my experience, most dive shops have very good, standard BCDs for rent and give you a competitive price when renting. The computers are OK, but sometimes quit. Since he disclosed he is a new diver, thereby acknowledging he won't know the dive sites and therefore plan or multilevel dives, I think it's the most important for someone to monitor depth, time, and ascending rate (they beep loudly when you're ascending too fast). Besides, we never go backwards when we discover a tool that aids us; if you insist on not getting a computer, I hope you have a depth Guage and know your dive! Cousteau already discovered many diving illnesses for us; no need to verify his dive bends theory! On a more serious note, all the shops I've gone with require a computer.
As Capsfan 22 mentioned the Deep6 breaths the same as the Zeagle, because they are both based on similar technology. These designs are so old that they are no longer protected by patent.
Actually our Signature series is our own design with custom internal components we designed specifically for it. We do definitely appreciate the customer support though from everyone so far! Thanks to all.