Hi, I'm a college senior that will be heading off to med school in Fall 2009. I know that I prob won't have much time to get out during those years of med school and residency, but I'm hoping to get a few trips in before hand, and try to continue after I start into my career. Over the next two years, starting this May I'll be taking trips to the Florida Keys, Hawaii, and Tahiti for sure, with others possibly interspersed. I'll only be doing warm water diving for purely recreational purposes and for hobby photography. So my question is, since I'm on a tight budget, and the equipment won't be getting alot of use, what kind of setup should I buy (I do want to buy not rent)?
My thoughts:I'm female, 5'3", 140 lbs, larger busted, short abdomen.
BCDs-I'd like to have a chest strap to prevent slippage off of shoulders-lift shouldn't be a problem- will be travelling with it since I live in Ohio (far from tropical)
tusa 2100
Cressi-sub line
Mares Vector Origin
SeaQuest Pacifica or Wave
Regulators/Octo- I'm lost in this department-but won't be diving in cold water or deeper than 80' ever I'd doubt- most of the time I plan for 30-60'
Mask-I have a super narrow face- normally wear kids glasses/sunglasses-
Mares X-vision mid -used during OW training- it fit ok
Mares Kona mid
aqualung tyke midi
Fins- I'm thinking full foot, since diving in warm water, so then can also be used for snorkeling without booties adding buoyancy to feet when on surface,
Aqualung Stratos or Caravelle
Mares Volo Race
I appreciate any input or details on the above equipment, and if you have suggestions for comparable equipment please feel free to give it. I'm hoping to get BCD, regs/octo/guages , fins, mask for $500 or less- using ebay for mask/fins and possibly bcd. Thanks in advance!!!
My thoughts:I'm female, 5'3", 140 lbs, larger busted, short abdomen.
BCDs-I'd like to have a chest strap to prevent slippage off of shoulders-lift shouldn't be a problem- will be travelling with it since I live in Ohio (far from tropical)
tusa 2100
Cressi-sub line
Mares Vector Origin
SeaQuest Pacifica or Wave
Regulators/Octo- I'm lost in this department-but won't be diving in cold water or deeper than 80' ever I'd doubt- most of the time I plan for 30-60'
Mask-I have a super narrow face- normally wear kids glasses/sunglasses-
Mares X-vision mid -used during OW training- it fit ok
Mares Kona mid
aqualung tyke midi
Fins- I'm thinking full foot, since diving in warm water, so then can also be used for snorkeling without booties adding buoyancy to feet when on surface,
Aqualung Stratos or Caravelle
Mares Volo Race
I appreciate any input or details on the above equipment, and if you have suggestions for comparable equipment please feel free to give it. I'm hoping to get BCD, regs/octo/guages , fins, mask for $500 or less- using ebay for mask/fins and possibly bcd. Thanks in advance!!!