lanshark
Contributor
Not that this is by any means the right way to do it but...
I had been diving the resort courses (4 of them) since 1995 (26 dives in Total) while on vacation. I just didn't have the time to get certified. Well last year I took the plunge and did get certified up here in Canada. From my Local Dive shop I purchased a wetsuit, Boots, Fins and replacement snorkel(I already had a mask and snorkel I had purchased previously on a trip).
I finished my open water dives in Venuzuela, (Margarita Island). I had the oportunity to see one operator who had poorly maintained equipment. I also had the oportunity to use a dive operator who had excellent equipment that was well maintained. Over the course of my vacation I had the chance to try a variety of equipment. Both good and unfortunately bad.
This Year I have decided to splurge. I bought the following
Prescription Dive Mask (It's nice to see fish that are only fuzzy when they are supposed to be) What's the point if you can't see anything while diving down south.
Mares M1 Dive computer (Yes I still do the dive tables manually, I just like the extra comfort if provides for Ascent etc.)
The Mares does everything I want it to do (Air, Nitrox, Standard AAA batteries that are field replaceable, backlighted display)
Sherwood Maximus Regulator (Easy breathing and very comfortable, under arm hose position)and Standard Octo with Sherwood compact guages (Compas can be added on back side of guages.
Sherwood Avid Weight integrated BC (Need I say more?)
My Christmas present to me is a 3 week Vacation in Cozumel to break it all in (January). I've tried a number of BC's, Regulators and even computers. This gear fits me like a glove.
My Bouyancy is pretty much as good as it gets (So my Instructors all told me..)
Anyhow, I hope this helps.
I had been diving the resort courses (4 of them) since 1995 (26 dives in Total) while on vacation. I just didn't have the time to get certified. Well last year I took the plunge and did get certified up here in Canada. From my Local Dive shop I purchased a wetsuit, Boots, Fins and replacement snorkel(I already had a mask and snorkel I had purchased previously on a trip).
I finished my open water dives in Venuzuela, (Margarita Island). I had the oportunity to see one operator who had poorly maintained equipment. I also had the oportunity to use a dive operator who had excellent equipment that was well maintained. Over the course of my vacation I had the chance to try a variety of equipment. Both good and unfortunately bad.
This Year I have decided to splurge. I bought the following
Prescription Dive Mask (It's nice to see fish that are only fuzzy when they are supposed to be) What's the point if you can't see anything while diving down south.
Mares M1 Dive computer (Yes I still do the dive tables manually, I just like the extra comfort if provides for Ascent etc.)
The Mares does everything I want it to do (Air, Nitrox, Standard AAA batteries that are field replaceable, backlighted display)
Sherwood Maximus Regulator (Easy breathing and very comfortable, under arm hose position)and Standard Octo with Sherwood compact guages (Compas can be added on back side of guages.
Sherwood Avid Weight integrated BC (Need I say more?)
My Christmas present to me is a 3 week Vacation in Cozumel to break it all in (January). I've tried a number of BC's, Regulators and even computers. This gear fits me like a glove.
My Bouyancy is pretty much as good as it gets (So my Instructors all told me..)
Anyhow, I hope this helps.