hello new diver, looking into buying midrange gear, maybe used and just get them serviced at a local dive shop(for the regs) found a couple good deals online, need advice on what to choose.
background be diving mostly in california and traveling to warmer waters like mexico, and south east asia, have dive weekends planned to different parts of mexico for the rest of the year starting in march
!! bought used garmin mk2s for 300, seems to be working perfectly(logged my training dives and battery on non-dive mode lasted around 7days before my first charge) will take on a guided dive in feb in catalina , woot woot
1. fins(will buy second hand looking into travel fins, i saw an apeks rk3 for 100$ used which i'm thinking of getting unless someone here has any other fins that i should look into)
2. Masks,boots,hood,wetsuit, snorkel i will get at my local dive shop since i would have to fit them
3. Regulator i found an apeks xtx50 1st and 2nd stage for 350$, and a scubapro mk25 1st stage, s600 2nd stage for 500$ , not sure which one of this is better for california(cold water) and for my warmer travels **(need advice)**
4. BCD, i've done some research and it seems like backplate and wing is the way to go to future proof and grow into diving. aluminum for travel and donut shape wing for single tanks. not sure which brands are good but im leaning on
a. DGX custom for 350$ (first choice, not sure how good for travel but its the most affordable one)
b. Xdeep Ghost 700$ (willing to splurge a bit if you think its worth it)
c. open to other suggestions
background be diving mostly in california and traveling to warmer waters like mexico, and south east asia, have dive weekends planned to different parts of mexico for the rest of the year starting in march
!! bought used garmin mk2s for 300, seems to be working perfectly(logged my training dives and battery on non-dive mode lasted around 7days before my first charge) will take on a guided dive in feb in catalina , woot woot
1. fins(will buy second hand looking into travel fins, i saw an apeks rk3 for 100$ used which i'm thinking of getting unless someone here has any other fins that i should look into)
2. Masks,boots,hood,wetsuit, snorkel i will get at my local dive shop since i would have to fit them
3. Regulator i found an apeks xtx50 1st and 2nd stage for 350$, and a scubapro mk25 1st stage, s600 2nd stage for 500$ , not sure which one of this is better for california(cold water) and for my warmer travels **(need advice)**
4. BCD, i've done some research and it seems like backplate and wing is the way to go to future proof and grow into diving. aluminum for travel and donut shape wing for single tanks. not sure which brands are good but im leaning on
a. DGX custom for 350$ (first choice, not sure how good for travel but its the most affordable one)
b. Xdeep Ghost 700$ (willing to splurge a bit if you think its worth it)
c. open to other suggestions