which recreational set?

[mointampa]

I am about to buy my first set of gear and I need an opinion on which of the following sets is better (both are offered at a similar price)...I probably will move onto wreck diving in the future

Set 1
Oceanic Chute 3 BCD
Oceanic Air XS2 occy (built into BCD power inflate)
Oceanic DX4 Zeta or CDX5 Delta 3 Titanium (or cheaper DX4 Omega 2)
Oceanic VT Pro with wireless transmitter

Set 2
Zeagle Ranger BCD
Octo plus occy (built into BCD power inflate)
Poseidon Cyklon 5000
Uwatec Air Z with wireless transmitter

Thanks

 

[Scubaroo]

I would not enter a wreck with a buddy wearing either of those configurations. They are recreational configurations. It looks like you are comparing package offerings from two different dive shops?

Save yourself money now and buy gear upfront that can grow with your diving - not gear that requires replacement.

 

[Scubaroo]

Hey just saw on DiveOz you're from Australia. Whereabouts?

 

[ScubaRon]

My comments:
- both BC's are very good (but not for doubles);
- I'm not familiar with (read: don't care for) either reg
- the Uwatec is definitely superior to the VT Pro if you plan on doing deeper and repetive dives.

However, Scubaroo is right that none of this gear is suited for wreck diving (you can keep the Uwatec as a backup gauge).

 

[Scubaguy62]

Personally, I would steer away from power inflator regulators and air integrated computers. Just think of this; could you handle an OOA (out of air) situation with your buddy where you're the donor (meaning you're breathing from the power inflator reg) from a depth of say 80 feet, hold on to your buddy, hold on to the ascent line, and vent air from your bc while sucking on the power inflator reg? 2- what would you do if you experience a malfunction on your computer, but don't notice it right away; now you don't even know how much air you have in your tank and whether you have enough to even do a safety (read deco) stop.

Get a regular reg/octo/spg set up. It doesn't have to be a console; a plain spg with a wrist computer is fine. For one, if you have to share air, your buddy will be further away from you, which makes it easier for both to swim together and less of a chance for your buddy to bump into you and perhaps knock your reg, or your mask off. Also, with a non-air integrated computer, you at least retain the benefit of knowing how much air you have in your tank and if you have a dive watch, and have used it properly, you'll have an idea of where you are on your NDL.

There are ways to streamline without compromising safety. Just my $.02.

Semper Safe,

Rick

 

[TostitoBandito]

Personally, I would steer away from power inflator regulators and air integrated computers. Just think of this; could you handle an OOA (out of air) situation with your buddy where you're the donor (meaning you're breathing from the power inflator reg) from a depth of say 80 feet, hold on to your buddy, hold on to the ascent line, and vent air from your bc while sucking on the power inflator reg? 2- what would you do if you experience a malfunction on your computer, but don't notice it right away; now you don't even know how much air you have in your tank and whether you have enough to even do a safety (read deco) stop.

Get a regular reg/octo/spg set up. It doesn't have to be a console; a plain spg with a wrist computer is fine. For one, if you have to share air, your buddy will be further away from you, which makes it easier for both to swim together and less of a chance for your buddy to bump into you and perhaps knock your reg, or your mask off. Also, with a non-air integrated computer, you at least retain the benefit of knowing how much air you have in your tank and if you have a dive watch, and have used it properly, you'll have an idea of where you are on your NDL.

There are ways to streamline without compromising safety. Just my $.02.

Semper Safe,

Rick

Why not just use a standard spg/depth console as a backup along with the hoseless air integrated wrist computer? This is what I would do, because the wireless transmitter eliminates one hose anyway. Not that it matters a whole lot because from what I've seen and read, computers are more reliable than analog consoles anyways. I do agree with you about the power inflator/octo though. The only reason I could see using that is if you really, really needed to eliminate the octo hose (maybe a wreck diver). If you do use one, make sure and get longer primary reg hose so it is easy to share.

 

[Zippsy]

without commenting on the suitability for wreck diving, I use the Chute 3 for recreational diving and I like it a lot underwater. It is HUGE in the dive bag though. If you travel with your gear, be prepared.