your opinion on this set up please

[Rookie_J]

looking at different package prices and this one caught my eye. within my price range, looks like a nice setup and seems to be everything i want/ need...

Tusa Platina Evolution BCD
Tusa RS-130
Octo Aeris Gyro.
Aeris Atmos 1, 3 gauge console

 

[ShakaZulu]

Hmmm, getting into diving the cheapest possible way. I tried the same, and have a lot of stuff I would never use again. Why don't you rent for a while and buy some good products along the way.

Assuming you are going the REC way.......

1. Good Wetsuit
2. Regulator setup, you can always connect it to the rental BC.
3. BCD
4. etc

 

[Kestrell]

Check out scubatoys.com. They have great prices and the gear you get from them comes with a full factory waranty.

I got almost all of my gear from them for both my wife and myself; we have saved over $1,200 over the local dive shop.

They also have package deals available that are very reasonable...

...Okay, I just popped over to Scuba Toys and it looks like this is where you were coming up with the package you suggested above.

I would save some more money and go for the Zeagle package. Better yet, give them a call. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Larry at Scuba Toys numerous times. He can probably put together a package for you based on you needs and finances. Just tell Larry what you want and he will give you his best price.

If I were trying to save money but still get quality gear I would get something like the following:

Zeagle Brigade
Zeagle Envoy
Zeagle Envoy octo
Aeris 2 gauge Nitrox computer or an Aeris Atmos2 wrist mount and Cressi mini gauges

You should be able to get all of that for $1,000 to $1,200 or so. It will be equipment that is reliable, and almost as important, be able to grow with you as a diver. For example if you save money by getting and air-only computer but then want to take a Nitrox course and need to buy a brand new Nitrox capable computer; how much money have you saved.

Hey scuba aint cheap.

 

[RICHinNC]

go to www.northeastscubasupply.com and ask about the $449 sale....it is all DiveRite gear and fully warranteed by DR as before i bought it i called DR and made sure the warrantee was good.....

the operation is a TecRec location for DR and they fully stand behind all the gear sold there....

I bought the $449 transplate package and have dove it off the coast of nc and in bonaire and it is wonderful

give it a look
rich

 

[scubadobadoo]

I agree. Rent at first for 10-25 dives but if you really want to buy now then get stuff that you will still WANT and will still USE in a few years. Spending a few hundred less NOW will probably cost you a thousand or more LATER when you turn around and buy all the stuff you really wanted to buy in the future. Make sense? Many of us did it and many will do it again. Some sound advice here. You can't go wrong with the above advice. Have fun and welcome to diving! You will love it! We do!!

BTW, I have purchased from BOTH of the above mentioned stores and BOTH are top notch in service and price.

 

[wedivebc]

looking at different package prices and this one caught my eye. within my price range, looks like a nice setup and seems to be everything i want/ need...

Tusa Platina Evolution BCD
Tusa RS-130
Octo Aeris Gyro.
Aeris Atmos 1, 3 gauge console

Others have suggested that you wait and buy better stuff but let me offer this perspective. When you rent you will get stuff that is probably not as good as the stuff you list here. You will be paying to use someone elses gear. You may not get the same gear every time you rent so you may have to relearn how it's put together. If I had waited until I could afford the gear I own now I would probably not be diving today. If this stuff works for you, buy it. Realize it is entry level gear and you will probably upgrade as time goes by. When that happens you will have some extra stuff for when a dive buddy comes to visit you can take them out using your backup gear..
My recommendation, buy it, enjoy it, go dive it. You won't be sorry.

 

[herman]

I agree with the rest on buying good quality gear from the start. Renting or borrowing gear for a while is really a good idea. It gives you the oppertunity to test other brands and styles. Another option that can save you a lot of money and you can end up with better gear is to buy good used gear. I don't recommend getting it online, from ebay for example. No matter what the seller says, it may be fine or it may be junk. If you can find used gear locally, have it checked by a equipment tech- at your cost- before buying. If it's junk you avoid buying it and if it's good quality, you would have wanted it serviced anyway. Even if you decide it's not what you want, you will lose a lot less money reselling it. High quality gear will last a very long time, taking time to buy right the first time is well worth the wait. I just retired my original mask from 1992 and the only reason for that is I now need perscription lenses.

 

[ZoCrowes255]

But the best gear you can afford starting out and you will never have to purchase again. If that is the only thing in your price range I would tell you to rent for a little while and save your money. Or buy one quality piece of gear at a time.

 

[scubapro50]

diving on a budget .. ok lets get some bang for your buck .... (1) REGULATOR IST R10-bk performance with adjustable 2nd stage (Rodales testers choice) $169.00 from JoeDiver (2) OCTOPUS IST 0600y for $64.95 from JoeDiver (3) BCD Aeris Atmos Sport for $180.00 from ScubaToys (4) GAUGES Sherwood 2 gauge unit from DiversDirect for $109.95 ........ lets add it all up and it comes to ... $523.90 ... now that's how you start diving without a lot of money

 

[scubatoys]

diving on a budget .. ok lets get some bang for your buck .... (1) REGULATOR IST R10-bk performance with adjustable 2nd stage (Rodales testers choice) $169.00 from JoeDiver (2) OCTOPUS IST 0600y for $64.95 from JoeDiver (3) BCD Aeris Atmos Sport for $180.00 from ScubaToys (4) GAUGES Sherwood 2 gauge unit from DiversDirect for $109.95 ........ lets add it all up and it comes to ... $523.90 ... now that's how you start diving without a lot of money

Based on working on both, and breathing on both... I'd take the Tusa reg over the IST... both adjustable, but the Tusa comes with lifetime parts warranty from the manufacturer, and it will be easy to find service since there are a lot more Tusa dealers than IST. And it is within 10 bucks or so of the same price. Same thing with Aeris Gauge instead of sherwood... And when you add up from 3 different vendors, your shipping will go up, plus having to assemble everything when you get it.

As far as the 523.90, the package he's looking at is $695 - but that is with a computer, and a reg bag... and that's before he clips us for an extra 10% by calling in the order and saying he's a scubaboard member!