View Full Version : looking for opinions on any of this gear for my first setup.
eurospeed951
May 26th, 2003, 01:54 PM
Ok, well after my post about gear for under 1k, I am thinking about this setup:
vyper-$315
mares syncro power tech-$200
scubapro mk16/s550-$260
oms brass pressure gauge-$75
Dacor viper octo-$75
Like I said, I will be diving about 5 times a year. Mostly Florida and Caribean, but I would like to try a bit of everything. I know I will be trying out the quaries near by as well as NC diving.
Anyone use any of this gear? Any info would be great. Thank you in advance.
HarleyDiver
May 26th, 2003, 02:07 PM
Good choice on the Regs, not their top-of-the-line, but probably the best value choice on great equipment.
Can't comment on the rest.
awap
May 26th, 2003, 02:07 PM
I would go with the R190 octo rather than the Dacor. It simplifies servicing staying with one brand. If you can't find an LDS that deals with both, you'll be forced to go to different shops to get service. And the Dacor guy may be pointing fingers at the SP 1st as the source of problem which he can't touch, "That will be $35.00 please." Even if your LDS handles thonse brands today, will he still have them next year? Will he even still be in business next year?
Northeastwrecks
May 26th, 2003, 02:28 PM
The Mares Synchro Power Tech BC is an overblown, unstreamlined disaster waiting to happen. Its full of toys that do nothing but increase the drag and the number of potential failure points.
You'd be far better off trying to find a good deal on a Dive-Rite or a BP&W setup.
double125's
May 26th, 2003, 03:42 PM
IMHO I would not recomend the mares bc. I would try to look at something less restrictive. The mares bc looks like everything is cluttered together and would be hard to get used to. Not to mention that it would probably have way to much lift ( I am guessing it would have 50 - 60 lbs) for tropical diving you wont need more than 30 lbs. The d rings look like they would be unusable where they are. Not to mention if you deceide to advance you career that bc will not grow with you. I would recomend not getting a "wanna be" tech bc. Start with a recreational style like the zeagle scout or equivilant. If you decide to get into tech diving it will still require you to upgrade your gear but at least you are not stuck in the middle with gear that is not good for either recreation or tech diving. If you plan on advancing to tech diving you may want to hold out and get a bp/wing or look at the zeagle ranger/tech bc. Those 2 are the only ones I would recomend for both sides of the house. Hope this helps ya'
eurospeed951
May 26th, 2003, 03:44 PM
I agrea with your ideas. It makes sence to stick with one reg brand. One of the reasons I know I want a SP reg is because I know I can get it worked on at a lot of places. As for the BC, I just found a lot of reviews on it that said the same thing. WAY TOO BULKY. I realy do like the idea of the diverite gear, but I would like to keep the price closer to 200. I did come acrose the Oceanic Tour APS. It looks very slim and seems to have a few nice features as well as a very atractive price. So let's build on this:
Sunuto Vyper-$315
Oceanic Tour APS-$150
scubapro mk16/s550-$260
oms brass pressure gauge-$75
SP R190 OCTO-$85
================$885
Northeastwrecks
May 26th, 2003, 06:36 PM
One further suggestion.
Skip the computer and buy a better BC.
You don't actually need a computer to dive as you can always use tables. You can add a computer later if you decide that you want it.
The Oceanic does appear to be a better design than that Mares. However, it still has some issues, including the laterally sliding shoulder straps and a non-standard power inflator. These may seem like a great idea; however, they are actually failure points.
eurospeed951
May 27th, 2003, 12:52 PM
well I have done a bit more research on the Oceanic Tour APS. Most of the reviews have been great. I still know that it is not the best that I could buy, but it seems like this setup will meet my needs. One more thing to add, though I might start this as a new post; I will be doing most of my diving with my fathe r who will also be getting gear at the same time I do. We are close to the same size and will be doing the same typ of diving. Anything wrong with us diving the exact same gear?
double125's
May 27th, 2003, 01:03 PM
If you are asking if you should both buy identical gear and dive as buddies then I would have to say that is the preffered method. You will be familiar with each others gear in the event of an emergency. I believe that is one of the fundamentals they teach in DIR. Maybe one of the techies will stop by and confirm this.
Jeblis
May 27th, 2003, 01:35 PM
Northeastwrecks once bubbled...
One further suggestion.
Skip the computer and buy a better BC.
You don't actually need a computer to dive as you can always use tables. You can add a computer later if you decide that you want it.
Yes get a good bc (wings maybe), but a computer is nice because it can take into account multi-depth profiles. Diving by tables will force you to take your entire dive time at the max depth even if you were only there for a minute. I find a computer reduces my task load considerably.
MikeFerrara
May 27th, 2003, 01:43 PM
You asked for poinions....
Mine is that if you're only planning on diving 5 times a year you have bigger things to worry about than the equipment you buy.
eurospeed951
May 27th, 2003, 02:41 PM
I'm sorry, I wrote that wrong. I said 5 times a year, becaused I honly went on 5 trips last year. As soon as I get my gear I plan to go a lot more. My father in an airline Captin so I can fly for free anytime, allmost antwhere, as much as I wont. My two biggest expenses are lodging and gear rental. I know I will still have to spend money to maintain my gear, but having my own gear should let me dive more often. Also what is SO different about the wings setup than the BC I'm looking at. Other than you can upgrade the wings setup.
double125's
May 27th, 2003, 02:53 PM
Wings are suposedly more stable, They are not cluttered by unwanted items and you can arrange it however you want. You can modify where d rings go,add pockets where you want them and it makes it easy to mount a canister light or even a pony bottle if you wanted to waist mount it. Basically it gives you total control of your rig even down to the size bladder you want. There are no design limitations and they are more comfortable in the water. just my .02 worth.
Blue Space
May 27th, 2003, 06:13 PM
MikeFerrara once bubbled...
You asked for poinions....
Mine is that if you're only planning on diving 5 times a year you have bigger things to worry about than the equipment you buy.
I don't understand how someone can only dive 5 times a year. I want to dive everyday, I would go insane with 5 times a year whats wrong with you people. LOL :bonk:
Northeastwrecks
May 27th, 2003, 10:30 PM
Jeblis once bubbled...
Yes get a good bc (wings maybe), but a computer is nice because it can take into account multi-depth profiles. Diving by tables will force you to take your entire dive time at the max depth even if you were only there for a minute. I find a computer reduces my task load considerably.
You can do multilevel diving without a computer.
jonnythan
May 27th, 2003, 10:33 PM
Northeastwrecks once bubbled...
You can do multilevel diving without a computer.
How? The Wheel?
Northeastwrecks
May 27th, 2003, 11:08 PM
Yes. I believe that some of the DIR-F instructors also teach a method of tracking NDL during multi-level diving as well. They didn't cover it during my class (at least, not that I recall); however, I'm taking the course again and intend to ask about it.
Personally, if I had 300 bucks to spend on a computer, and I didn't want to spend it on other equipment, I'd spend it on training.
