Package Deal

[ToddK]

Hi Laffslast,
Just my humble two cents: buy the gear one piece at a time, get 10-25 dives on it, and after you feel like it has been integrated into your diving, buy the next piece. My basic gear accumulation took at least two years, and it gave me time to research a new piece of gear, and to try different models by renting.

I've got three Scubapro MK20/G250 regulators (I'm trying to transition into tech diving)...all of them used, and none have given me trouble. I do get my LDS to service the reg prior to diving, but as others have pointed out, this does cost a lot ($100 in my case).

I definitely recommend getting a nitrox capable computer, so that you don't have to trade up again in another year. I REALLY enjoy having a wrist mount computer...if I'm ascending without a vertical reference, I'm constantly looking at it to gauge my ascent speed & depth. I've been thrilled with my Suunto Vyper computer, and with my new DiveRite Duo (both are about $400). I agree with the others that $750 is pricey for a computer.
Have fun diving!
-Todd.

 

[verybaddiver]

It took me over a year to work out which equipment I wanted to buy mate, I found it incredibly difficult to decide, as I wanted the best stuff I could get, without having to replace it further down the line, this led to the conclusion that I may as well go DIR, even though there was a few compromises to be made. IE I needed a much more expensive light :>.

Heres a few links i used to help me decide (i dont know how DIR orientated they are, i know nj isn't), hope they help

http://www.njscuba.net/
http://www.bitz.fsnet.co.uk/
http://www.nigelhewitt.co.uk/diving/rant/index.html
http://www.cisatlantic.com/trimix/gmism/gmiindex.htm
http://www.gasdiving.co.uk/pages/misc/kit/hoses.htm
http://www.direxplorers.com/new-dir-articles/482-why-backplate-wing.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delrin

 

[DandyDon]

Or - you keep shopping, I'm going diving.

Ok, your Lds will probly let you test dive some pieces.

 

[geodiveralpha]

I hate to say this, its not the most expensive. If you're looking for Air integrated and want the same computer check out the Aeris Elite T3, has the same features plus a buddy check feature. If you don't need all the gadgets and doo dads go with a basic nitrox computer and get new regulators. Most manfacturer's include a valuable parts and manufacturer's warranty which is really important especially when buying over the net. Its one less thing to worry about. Plus sometimes you end up spending more that you bargained for. A friend of mine bought a couple of used regulators for he and his wife, he spent $300 for the pair. After the $450 service he could have bought really nice new, under warranty regulators and then the service technician told him that since they were vintage and the parts were rare, half the regulator was frozen shut, and it was a one time service. He still thinks he got a good deal... no comment...

Robert
Blue Sea Adventures.com

 

[laffslast]

I hate to say this, its not the most expensive. If you're looking for Air integrated and want the same computer check out the Aeris Elite T3, has the same features plus a buddy check feature. If you don't need all the gadgets and doo dads go with a basic nitrox computer and get new regulators. Most manfacturer's include a valuable parts and manufacturer's warranty which is really important especially when buying over the net. Its one less thing to worry about. Plus sometimes you end up spending more that you bargained for. A friend of mine bought a couple of used regulators for he and his wife, he spent $300 for the pair. After the $450 service he could have bought really nice new, under warranty regulators and then the service technician told him that since they were vintage and the parts were rare, half the regulator was frozen shut, and it was a one time service. He still thinks he got a good deal... no comment...

Robert
Blue Sea Adventures.com

Just so you know, the VT3 also has the buddy check feature. That was what caught me at first before I found out the range is only 5 feet or so.