It's decision time and I need/want your help.

what equipment out of the list would you recomend I go with


  • Total voters
    3

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OceanicRocks

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So, its been months that I have been trying to narrow my search on some equipment that I want to buy. So many people have helped me get to this point so thanks to all those that offered their expertise and thanks to this forum. So now its crunch time....

I do have a budget (I wish I didn't). so I have to decide from the following. I dive exclusively warm water on vacation. I dive mostly for the creatures and critters down deep. I also dive because I love to... I dive mostly in depths of 40-60-90 feet. I have gone down to a fairly shallow wreck at 100 feet and thought that yea it was cool but... not what I dive for. I'm one of those guys that sticks his head in crevices to see whats inside or what will pop out to say hello.

Here is the equipment that I have so far:
-Henderson 3mm shorty front zipper for easy don and doff
-Mares quatro fins
-Titanium Jack knife with point (yup I like big toys that scare most other people)
-Zeagle ebon mask with zeagle snorkel
-Tusa duffel bag
-blue reef Booties (LP brand-I know booooo!)

Here is what I need:
-a BC
-a computer
-a reg
-an octo
-low pressure inflater
-gages

Anyway, please use the below number and letter system and vote with recommendatins/comments. For example you amy say you like 1A, 2B, 3C 6 would be a yes or no ect. Here is what I have narrowed the selection down to... links are to the items on ST to make things easy:
1. The BC
A.the zeagle brigade BC. I think I'm gonna love this thing but you can't have the trim weights between the pockets and the bladder or other accessories in this area. You can still get the trim weights (seen here http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detai...rweightpockets but go on the tank. here is the brigade bc:
http://scubatoys.com/store/detail.as...=ZeagleBrigade
or
B. the Zeagle Ranger LTD this one you can get an array of accessories as needed in the future. Its also the BC that I physically tried on in a LDS which has a couple of extras built into it. If you've ever tried one of these or have one you know how comfy it is and how awesome looking it is to.
http://scubatoys.com/store/detail.as...D=RangerLTDpkg

2. The octo:
A. I'm considering getting the sherwood Gemini octo put on one of the above BC's which will be more streamlined and will eliminate a hose to a separate octo.
http://scubatoys.com/store/search_re...herwood+gemini
if not the above than
B. I am considering the mares viper octo
http://scubatoys.com/store/detail.as...T_ID=ViperOcto

3. the regulator:
A. this one came highly recommended as it has the adjustability... I'm still trying to determine if its really needed
http://scubatoys.com/store/detail.as...ID=EnvoyDeluxe or
B. I can get the basic model zeagle rezort
http://scubatoys.com/store/detail.as...ezortRegulator

4. Now I'm gonna jump to the computer
A. I have been looking to get, the oceanic GEO
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detai...=GEOWristwatch
or
B. the oceanic atom 2.0 which has a wireless transmitter which will also streamline you down and eliminate the need for any other gages as it reads your tank pressure
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detai...tom2.0Computer

5. if I get the above Geo I will need an analog pressure guage and these are the ones I'm looking into.
A. tusa Gage where I can get the SPG and a compass to boot.
Tusa SCA 240 2 Gauge Console (Pressure & Compass), Dive Gauges, Tusa, Tusa SCA 240 2 Gauge Console (Pressure & Compass)
B. tusa Gage where I can get an SPG and a secondary analog depth Gage. remember that the wrist computer will show you the depth but I figure that not only is it a backup but it also is kinda convenient when on the dive and checking both the air and depth at the same time on the same console. this one also has a nice back light
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detai...ID=TusaSCA230T
C. another tusa model with two gages and redundant depth.
Tusa SCA-230 Platina Gauge, Dive Gauges, Tusa, Tusa SCA-230 Platina Gauge
D. lastly this super tiny SPG and temp in one by oceanic.
http://scubatoys.com/store/detail.as...cPressureGauge

6. Lastly if budget allows, I'm considering getting the Oceanic v16 split fins. this would be an upgrade (i think) to my mares quatros. I will also be purchasing the spring straps with these. these things are just plain and simply evil looking
http://scubatoys.com/store/detail.as...OceanicV-16Fin

woooooo that was alot. I'm sure I lost my audience after that long description. If you are still with me than I know that you are as crazy as I am...
smiley36.gif
so, here is what I would like from you... take a look at the above and let me know if you have any personal experience with any of the above good or bad.. than tell me what you recommend I go with out of the list above. You may want to suggest another item altogether. Maybe you see something that I need that I did not indicate. please offer your view point on things as its very valuable to me. I do appreciate it and any info would be great even just to say. hey man you lost it!
smiley5.gif




thanks
 
I can't speak to the models you chose so I did not vote.

However you have a your 1st stage and primary second stage, your alternate second and spg from 3 different manufacturers. I'd rework the menu to have them be sets of 1 brand for ease of service.

Based on your diving be sure to go with something that is easily serviced at a destination. House brands will vary but Sherwood is broadly used and serviced.

Where is your compass?

Pete
 
I think you're seriously over-thinking this. If you're on a budget, look for a retailer selling a set of gear. Sets are typically discounted over the price of the same stuff ala carte. Fit on the BC is pretty important. Believe it or not, aside from cosmetic differences, most regs within given price ranges breath pretty much the same. In a blind test at 40', you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. Like Pete said, buy whatever regs you buy from the same manufacturer or face potential issues getting them serviced (guy may have parts for one, but not the other, etc.)

You can't go wrong with either Zeagle or Oceanic gear.

Finally, you've selected a top of the line AI computer that retails in most places for between $800and $1000. If you're on a budget you need an $800-$1000 computer like you need a second nose. If you absolutely MUST HAVE a computer, get the least expensive nitrox computer you can purchase. It will do what needs to be done, and save you some $600 or more you can put into a better reg/BC set. Here's something you should be jumping on:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/gear-equipment-classifieds/203446-fs-dive-rite-nitek-duo-new.html


IMHO. YMMV. Best of luck...
 
hey thanks guys some good suggestions... How about the mares M2 and viper octo? are they fairly servicable?
 
hey thanks guys some good suggestions... How about the mares M2 and viper octo? are they fairly servicable?

Do you have a local dealer?
 
I think you're seriously over-thinking this. If you're on a budget, look for a retailer selling a set of gear. Sets are typically discounted over the price of the same stuff ala carte. Fit on the BC is pretty important. Believe it or not, aside from cosmetic differences, most regs within given price ranges breath pretty much the same. In a blind test at 40', you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. Like Pete said, buy whatever regs you buy from the same manufacturer or face potential issues getting them serviced (guy may have parts for one, but not the other, etc.)

You can't go wrong with either Zeagle or Oceanic gear.

Finally, you've selected a top of the line AI computer that retails in most places for between $800and $1000. If you're on a budget you need an $800-$1000 computer like you need a second nose. If you absolutely MUST HAVE a computer, get the least expensive nitrox computer you can purchase. It will do what needs to be done, and save you some $600 or more you can put into a better reg/BC set. Here's something you should be jumping on:
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/gear-equipment-classifieds/203446-fs-dive-rite-nitek-duo-new.html


IMHO. YMMV. Best of luck...

two things...
what is YMMV... sorry I'm fairly new at this.
and
if you should buy a reg and octo within the same brand, than does that go the same for the gages? are they serviced also or just the regs?
 
YMMV=your mileage may vary

Don't worry about the brand of a gauge, this is not serviced. Just get a good gauge, that you can read.

I have a viper octo, it's ok and I like that it works the same upside down makes an air share easier, that's the reason I got it. It also hangs nicely and out of the way when clipped to your BC. But the purge is wimpy, the quality doesn't seem the greatest and I probably wouldn't buy it again.

I agree that if you are on a budget (or even if you're not) you don't need an AI computer. They're a fun toy for some people, but definitely not needed and not the place to put your money if you are on a budget. Buy a basic Nitrox computer - whether this goes on your wrist on in a console is something of a personal preference. Get a basic analog SPG, these are inexpensive and very reliable. It doesn't hurt, but I don't think you need to back up your depth gauge - if your computer croaks, you can always look at your buddies depth, a little inconvienient but sufficient. (If anything I'd save the money from an extra depth gauge and put it towards a whole spare computer eventually - if you are diving a computer this will do you more good than a depth gauge as far as potentially saving saving dives on a warm water diving intensive trip. Ditto for an expensive AI computer - I'd sooner buy 2 inexpensive computers and have a backup.)

Buying a package is a good way to save money, as long as you're not making compromises on what you get such that you'd want to replace something soon. But, many places will let you build your own package and give you a similar discount for buying the whole set of gear.

Quattros are good fins, if they work for you and you don't have a particular good reason to change I don't why you should.
 
voted mainly by cost, warm watter, resort diving, you don't need sea hunt equipment.....

A solid sherwood reg with oceanic nitrox guages with the basic Ranger or a travel BC back inflate will work just fine, then preference as to AIR 2 or Octo is about all you need to decide, there are several good packages at leisure pro or Scuba toys that are more than adequate for the diving you plan on doing.....
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

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