Beginner Gear Package Recommendations

[NYCDiveGuy]

Hello all,

I'm new to the boards and diving. I'm planning on completing my PADI owc this month, and my Dive shop is offering me a package deal of a top of the line regulator/BC/computer for around $1200. If I get the deal, they will give me the PADI course free ($300 value). Is this a good deal?

I know that most people should not buy gear until they've been certified and have had a chance to try different models etc... I also know that I need to make sure I like diving. But here is the thing, I am so psyched to learn to dive and definitely want to take several trips in the near future (fortunately my job has me traveling). I also want to potentially take AOW. So, do I buy the gear and get my OW course free?

I'm leaning towards waiting, but would love advice from experienced divers. If I wait, I'll most likely purchase equipment soon after my certification. Any recommendations on Beginner gear packages/equipment? Thanks.

Eric

[Dave Zimmerly]

What is the top of the line regulator/BC/computer they are offering?

Dave (aka "Squirt")

[NYCDiveGuy]

I fogot to mention the actual top of the line gear:
Oceanic brand:
Delta 4 FDX10 1st Stage
Slimline 2nd stage
V0250 computer
Islander travel vest

[Knight1989]

Well Oceanic is deffintly a good brand and I doubt you wil be dissapointed in thie performance. I would ask if you can try the gear on and maybe play with it in a pool. You dont need to be certified to just see if the gear is comfertable in the water. Look for how the BC fits, does it shift around on you, are their places where it rubs uncomfertably. Otherwise talk to the dive shop about using differant gear during the class and after the class purchasing the package and them refund or knock off the price of the course. I would be a little hesitant about buying gear without at least having an idea of what your looking for. I've done that myself, some gear I got lucky and liked, some I had to spend even more money to get what worked best for me.

Regardless, it is a good price, and good gear quality wise. The question is, is it the gear for you?

[H2Andy]

$1,200 for that equipment is competitive (but not a great deal), especially if you think of it as buying it all for $900 (since $300 is going to a class you would have to pay for otherwise).

all that gear for $900 is about right:

VEO 250 is $250
Delta IV is $325
Slimline is $80
Islander is $400
-----------------
TOTAL $1,055

so... you can get the gear yourself for $1,055 and pay the class ($300)
for $1,355 ... or you can take the deal and pay $1,200

your savings is $125

your call

[divinginn]

sounds like a good price,top quality reg,dont know about the bcd, make sure the bc fits good,but it is hard to buy what you need when you dont know what you need,sounds like you could do alot worse.

[Jason Ooi]

Oceanic CDX5/Omega 2 good performance reg

[H2Andy]

your savings is $125


dang it, added it up wrong... your savings is $155

[jbichsel]

H2Andy and the rest are right. While I'm not an Oceanic fan, they make good gear and it would probably serve you well. Probably.

In my estimation, I would pay for the course and then rent gear for a while. I recommend that people try at least 3 different manufacturers and several models from each before they buy. Even if they don't buy the brand(s) I recommend or sell, the most important thing is that they are comfortable and happy.

Remember, this is gear that can stay and grow with you for years. My first reg and BC lasted from 1989 to 2000 and is still in use buy the friend I sold them to.

Not something I would spend that much money on without being very confident through use that it's what I want.

[Damselfish]

It is in their interest to sell gear, but not in your interest to buy whatever they want to sell you before you have even tried diving and learned about gear.

See if you can pay them $300 for the class now, and the other $900 if you decide to purchase the equipment after class or at least after the pool sessions - perhaps better to use their gear in the chlorinated pool anyway. ;) Then buy the equipment only if you like it, make sure that BC fits right. Would they be willing to give you a similar deal on other gear they carry, so you have more choice?

According to H2Andy's numbers the course isn't exactly free, it's discounted. A decent deal if this is what you would have bought anyway, but $155 savings isn't such a good deal if it turns out you would have preferred something else (or can't equalize.)

[divnamite]

You still need a gauge with compass, last time I check VEO 250 is not air integrated. But all of these aren't as important as the instruction you received from this shop. If you have to pay extra $300 for an excellent class, would you do it?

[H2Andy]

the VEO 250 price i quoted was for a console unit (with an SPG)

no compass, though

[NYCDiveGuy]

Thanks for all the useful advice. I've decided to wait, rent a few different styles, and then purchase before I take AOW.

I did get some clarrification from my LDS. The cost of the gear is $1495 and includes an air integrated SBG with the VEO 250.

I still think it is too much, and would rather pay $300 upfront for quality teaching and then work on getting gear as my experience increases.

My new question is:

What brands, models of BCD/regulator/computer would you recommend to a newbie to at least consider/rent?

As I said above, once I have my PADI OW, I hope to get several dives under my belt and then work on my AOW. I'm also interested in Nitrox training.

Thanks for all the help!

[Damselfish]

Thanks for all the useful advice. I've decided to wait, rent a few different styles, and then purchase before I take AOW.

I did get some clarrification from my LDS. The cost of the gear is $1495 and includes an air integrated SBG with the VEO 250.

I still think it is too much, and would rather pay $300 upfront for quality teaching and then work on getting gear as my experience increases.

My new question is:

What brands, models of BCD/regulator/computer would you recommend to a newbie to at least consider/rent?

As I said above, once I have my PADI OW, I hope to get several dives under my belt and then work on my AOW. I'm also interested in Nitrox training.

Thanks for all the help!
That sounds like a good plan.

"What brand/model" isn't the right question to ask first, what you want to understand first is the pros and cons of basic styles and features. Then you find the model that works for you and fits your budget. There's not much bad gear out there in any of the major brands and I wouldn't think of any particular brands or models as stuff a "newbie" specifically should look at. Basic "good things" such as a reg that breathes well that you can get serviced, a BC that fits well and has what you need but not a lot that you don't, a mask that fits, these things are good for everyone. Anyway after awhile you hopefully won't be a newbie anymore and you don't want to replace it all unless you just want new toys, gear should be able to last you a long time.

Some features people feel strongly about one way or another and have long arguments here about them. Some of these are masks with purge or not, inflator integrated octos, air integrated computers, jacket BCs vs the various back-inflate BC styles, split fins or not, and believe it or not - snorkels and clear vs. black mask skirts. You can spend weeks reading old threads where people discuss these things, hopefully try some stuff, then make up your own mind. Always remember that people who feel strongly about something, sometimes it's for reasons that may not apply to you.

[H2Andy]

you're going to get a gizillion different opinions. basically, i would say buy quality
to the ability of your budget.

BCD's: these are simple devices, and any reputable manufacturer will make a decent BC. go for fit and price. basically all manufacturers making BCD's today are reputable. the key here is going to be which style: jacket BC, back-inflate, or
back-plate and wings? do some research and try them out, see what you like.
i dive a backplate and wings, and love it. streamlined, light, easy to adjust, and
excellent trim and bouyancy characteristics.

regulator: the big five are Apeks, Atomic, Scubapro, Zeagle, and Poseidon. My favorite is Apeks. Zeagle and Scubapro make some awesome regulators as well.
Atomics are overpriced. Poseidon are hard to find and service. i would try to get the best reg possible. a trouble-free, quality regulator is a thing of beauty, and it adds to your safety while diving.

computer: oy vey... i say buy the cheapest computer that does what you need.
i really like the Aeris Atmos family of computers: cheap, reliable, and complete, with
no frills. i would avoid air integrated computers. you are basically tripling the cost
(shops LOVE to sell these, for that reason).