Here's a question for those of you who dive w/ your spouse or S.O. that got me thinking on another thread re: my potential gear choice:
Do you & your spouse have identical gear (particularly, regulator/computer...BC/mask/fins, etc. really doesn't matter)?
The reason I ask is that my wife is only interested in warm water diving & would like to become cavern certified, but has no interest in cave/wreck/low-vis/deep diving. Other than cavern, she just wants to look at the pretty fish. :) I, on the other hand, am thinking of pursuing a bit more specialty diving in the years to come...I'd be interested in learning more about river, wreck, intro to cave, etc.
Given our different interests, I was thinking of a Scubapro Mk25/S600 for my wife & an Apeks ATX200 setup for myself, which would definitely allow me to grow into cold water diving, the particulate diving of rivers, etc. Our LDS sells the ATX200 at about $150 more than the Mk25/600 setup, so I figured since the SP reg would suit her just fine, why spend the extra bucks on a second Apeks?
I see cons, however, which have been pointed out previously. Namely, (1) if I should move from this area (where the same LDS sells SP & Apeks), I may need to find 2 LDSs in order to service my regs and (2), we would need two separate spare parts kits.
So those of you who have had two buy 2 setups, did you purposely buy identical setups?
Jim
Grajan
October 26th, 2003, 07:49 AM
My wife and I have pretty much identical gear.
Some of this was by intent - we felt it was important that functional items such as computer, hose configuration, regs were the same for redundancy purposes and familiarity in an emegency.
Some of it was just that we did the research together and both thought they were the best choice. This drove the BC, mask and fins to being the same (BC's are the M/F versions of the same design - Libra and Balance).
It certainly works well and, in your case, technically oriented gear (back inflate or wing / long hose ect.) may be the better configuration for any form of diving.
We went with the ATX200 / ATX50 combination and certainly don't regret it.
Juls64
October 26th, 2003, 09:05 AM
Is your wife a new diver or has she been diving awhile? If she is new, it is very easy for her to assume she might not want to do a paticular type of diving, like cold or deep. As she dives more and builds confidence, she may decide to broaden her horizons a little and try more types of diving.
Something to consider.
Juls
GoBlue!
October 26th, 2003, 10:10 AM
Juls64 once bubbled...
Is your wife a new diver or has she been diving awhile? If she is new, it is very easy for her to assume she might not want to do a paticular type of diving, like cold or deep. As she dives more and builds confidence, she may decide to broaden her horizons a little and try more types of diving.
Juls
Very good point, Juls, and one I should give more thought to. She was quite nervous about going to do a guided cenote dive, and after the dive said it was the most peaceful, beautiful diving she'd ever done.... Now she's gung-ho to fly down to the Yucatan for cavern certification, once she gets some more diving experience under her belt. She's always said, "I'm not at all interested in deep or cold," but you're right...that could always change.
Jim
Cereza
October 26th, 2003, 11:00 AM
My husband and I do have the same equipment, as Grajan said
we felt it was important that functional items such as computer, hose configuration, regs were the same for redundancy purposes and familiarity in an emegency
Jambi
October 28th, 2003, 09:58 PM
GoBlue! once bubbled...
I may need to find 2 LDSs in order to service my regs and (2), we would need two separate spare parts kits.
You could just learn to service your own regs. Problem solved. The spare parts problem will solve it self if you get onto servicing your regs. There is a wealth of info on servicing on this board.
Jambi
GoBlue!
October 28th, 2003, 10:37 PM
Jambi once bubbled...
You could just learn to service your own regs. Problem solved. The spare parts problem will solve it self if you get onto servicing your regs. There is a wealth of info on servicing on this board.
Just found Seajay's website w/ the wealth of info on servicing regs. Who knows, that may be a possibility in the future....for now, however, I'm more comfortable having a pro do it.
Jim
dmdoug
October 28th, 2003, 10:39 PM
My wife and I own the exact sme gear. The reasons are a few however the easiest to explain is in our computers. We have the Suunto Cobra with the same algorythms.
When I have reached my deco limit most of the time she is about the same time away from having to ascend as well. Diving the Sherwood Maximus we received the regs as a Christmas gift and they were bought a the same time.
I have had issues with different fins. I was diving the SP split fins and found myself stopping in sometimes a difficult current having to wait for my wife to catch up. I have recently bought the split fins for her.....
I think that the save on parts costs in the save a dive kit as well as the maintenance issues/service issues is a nice feature to have. By owning the same equipment is saves in buying two sets of replacement parts in the event of a break or malfunction in equipment.
Lastly I would like to state that I think that you should purchase something that is reliable with a good service/maintenance record. In the event that you need to send one regulator in for service you could always ask permission to borrow the spouses reg....:)
Safe diving,
scubaxris
October 29th, 2003, 07:46 PM
GoBlue! once bubbled...
Just found Seajay's website w/ the wealth of info on servicing regs.
For the regulator info, click on "Talk" > "Equipment" > "Regulators." Awesome site.
Jim
NJDiveGirl
October 31st, 2003, 08:11 AM
nope - but then again we were both diving before we met. He's got the backplate/wings set up - dives doubles - is a lot more technical than me. Even though I dive in cold water, I still dive singles - a regular BC (a womans BC at that!).
He did get the s.p. split fins that I have cause he liked them but thats about it!
wwunder
October 31st, 2003, 09:08 PM
In my experience, less technically minded divers prefer fewer adjustments and complications with their gear.
I would recommend picking up something like the apeks atx40 for her. If she is anything like my girlfriend and most of my students, she'll just want something that always works well and requires no fuss.
An apeks atx200 is a very high performance reg and is capable of technical diving; however, it is not cheap and it is likely that your wife will not use the cracking resistance adjustment nor make use of its performance in extreme conditions. The atx40 will perform very well even beyond recreational limits so don't feel as though it is skimping.
sticking with one brand may be a good idea to simplify servicing and compatibility.
sylvester
November 5th, 2003, 04:32 PM
My wife and I dive the same reg mk25/s600 oct g250 and computer. Wetsuits same thickness etc she uses a BCD back inflate, I use a BP and wing.
My rational for same gear was logistics, and if she thinks my gear is better then hers for what ever reason then, I end up using her gear, so solve that by buying 2 sets of the same gear, the real differance is in BCDs and tanks she uses an Al 72, while I use a steel 100.
amc717
November 5th, 2003, 05:22 PM
My wife and I have different regs. I got her a Aqualung Legend Lx while I use an Apeks ATX 200.
It was more practical that she also has one of the best regs than to buy an upgrade later.
chris z
November 5th, 2003, 05:37 PM
DH (Hi, Greg :out: ) and I dive almost the same gear.
BC's - his is the Seaquest Balance, mine the Diva LX (my "build" didn't agree with the Libra or I would have that ;) ).
We dive the same regs Apex ATX 50s/40's and computers (Cobras)
But I dive a different configuration. I like my donor octo on my left and my computer on my right.
Our fins are different and so are our masks, but everthing else is pretty much the same - just his and hers versions.
-Chris
OneBrightGator
November 5th, 2003, 06:12 PM
Why do they have to have the same computer?
Couldn't they buy different models from the same manufacturer?
If your SO has to have the same, then shouldn't your buddy? Why not buy different computers and then go by the most conservative?
The only reason I could see for mandating that they have the same computer is so they will know how to work the others, but nothing says you can't learn how to use two computers.
Ben
Damselfish
November 5th, 2003, 06:18 PM
Regs: same - easier servicing and no reason for us to have different. I'd "round up" on this choice. Our regs are oldish Scubapro (Mk10/200?) and I'm starting to think about new toys, but we'd get the same whatever the choice.
Computers - Vypers with our old Solutions as backup. Same is good not only for algorithm but for operation purposes. (I'm the one who gets to fix them when we change time zones, I don't want to figure out 2!) Also good not to worry about 2 different types of replacement batteries.
BCs - we both started with Scubapro classics, we've both moved to other and different things. Fit and preference for features on BCs is very personal.
Fins - we both used to have Scubapro fins (not jetfins, but something with a wierd octagonal shape) that our LDS was big on at the time. We both wanted replacement and happened into a good deal on USD Blades which we both liked. So we still have the same fins but it just happened that way
Masks - much different - faces and preferences vary, no advantage to being the same.
Knifes - NOT the same, he seems to have a fondness for a pigsticker strapped to his leg, I've got something small attached to my BC.
We dive basically the same config, but all the little stuff tends to diverge over time. (For lights it's useful to make choices so as to deal with fewer types of spare bulbs and batteries.)
bwerb
November 5th, 2003, 06:40 PM
Karl_in_Calif once bubbled...
I completely agree.
Additionally, my fiancee feels peace and one-ness when our computers give the same exact results. And she takes it as a bad omen when there are differences.
Harkens back to the old expression, a man with two watches never knows exactly what time it is. Two different brands or styles of computers is just as bad, if not worse.
Then perhaps she needs some remedial instruction...seems the most basic rule of using a dive computer is that everyone uses their own computer because no one's profiles on any dive are exactly alike. As you well know, when it comes to gas mixes, a few feet can make a huge difference.
Plan your dive, dive your plan...if you are using the NDL reading on your computer as your dive plan for your team...which I personally think is dumb dumb dumb...then the most conservative computer wins and calls the turns.
Big-t-2538
November 5th, 2003, 06:53 PM
Karl_in_Calif once bubbled...
A really good buddy team, like diver and spouse, will be very very close. Funny...my normal buddy and I are at times 10 to 20 ft apart....but we remain in constant communication....oh yeah...I would consider us a pretty good buddy team
Big-t-2538
November 5th, 2003, 06:57 PM
Karl_in_Calif once bubbled...
Is that your wife? Nah...I'm usually a good 100miles or so away from her while u/w
Big-t-2538
November 5th, 2003, 07:07 PM
Karl_in_Calif once bubbled...
After a few freediving trips, she was ready to try scuba.
And she loves it!
Good luck, Terry! Are you suggesting I want my wife to dive with me???? :puke:
BrettM
November 5th, 2003, 08:04 PM
Jim,
In general suggest you get regs and computers from the same company IE Scubapro etc... This will allow you to service the regs at the same LDS. Computers from different companies can have very different dive profiles and I'm sure you and your wife will want to be on the same page for diving the same profile. There are some computers from different companies such as Aeris, Oceanic, USD and Genesis that all use the same type batteries and algorithms.
Masks, fins, BC's take your pick. I see no need to match them up unless you want to make a couples fashion statement.
If you and your wife have different levels of air consumption during dives, there may be times where you want to have the heavy breather use the octo from the light breather to maximize bottom time. I've done this many times and it pays to have a nicer octo reg that is reversable like the Oceanic Omega in situations like this.
bwerb
November 5th, 2003, 10:13 PM
Karl_in_Calif once bubbled...
A really good buddy team, like diver and spouse, will be very very close. There wont be any differences. And since we are not pushing NDL limits, there wont be any "calling of the turns."
What on earth are you talking about? We were talking about gear for diving with our spouse.
Well...since my primary dive buddy is my spouse...I know from whence I speak. Yes, we stay close but...she has problems clearing her ears from previous jaw surgery. When we descend, she often stops and ascends a foot or so, then descends when it clears etc. I will stay right with her but I don't follow her ups and downs, I wait at one depth. Then when we are diving. Perhaps one of us will drop a few feet below while looking at the Octopus underneath the boat...at the end of the dive and even during the dive our computers will read different max depths, different average depths etc. It's certainly nothing to get in a knot about and if your fiance freaks if her computer doesn't read exactly what yours does, then she doesn't have a great grasp of the whole one computer per diver thing.
So...if you are not pushing NDL's what does it matter in the slightest what your individual computers read...thank-you for effectively confirming my point...it doesn't! Therefore what does it matter what your individual computers read as to remaining NDL? Your computers (regardless of make/model) should read nearly identically if not identically time and current depth if they were started and held at the same depth. Your assertion that you must dive the same computer as your spouse/SI is invalid.
bwerb
November 5th, 2003, 10:16 PM
BrettM once bubbled...
If you and your wife have different levels of air consumption during dives, there may be times where you want to have the heavy breather use the octo from the light breather to maximize bottom time. I've done this many times and it pays to have a nicer octo reg that is reversable like the Oceanic Omega in situations like this.
Dude...this is not the worlds best dive planning and bottom time extending practice. If you are consitently breathing tanks down at different rates, perhaps it's time to get someone a larger tank. Sorry, this is a really poor gas plan.
GoBlue!
November 5th, 2003, 10:49 PM
Interesting thread it's turning out to be. As to the original question, my wife & I will be getting identical sets when it comes to reg/computer, and we'll see if we happen to like the same style of BC....although we both just recently borrowed bp/w setups & really liked it, so maybe we'll both be going that route as well.
Jim
Mo2vation
November 6th, 2003, 05:03 PM
Different drysuits. Different masks, different fins and BC and light (now that I've gone over to the dark side)
Same cylinders (DIN, Steel) same regs, same computers and dive bags.
