island_diver:
I'm an OW Certified and had done about 25 dives to date. All my previous outings, I was using equipments (including suits) from the dive shops that facilitates my dives. I really want to have my own equipment and have USD$1,500 budget.
Help me spend it on equipment I need (A BCD, Regulators (a HUB, perhaps), fins, mask, snorkel, etc.). I kinda really wanna invest on quality BCD and regulators and upgrade the rest when funds are available.
If you have no equipment, what would you buy (brand and estimated price of each would be appreciated)?
Thanks in advance.
BCD:
OK I also recommend to stay away from this HUB spaceship thingy. Do some research to find out what type of BC you want to get. "Air all around you" or back inflate. You may hear many conflicting stories on this subject. One thing to keep in mind is you want to purchase your BC to go DIVING with, not hang out on the surface. Although there are some differences all BC's will float you on the surface just fine. The important thing is that it is setup and trimmed out properly from the start. You'll have to think about integrated weights or a weightbelt or both. Triple L makes a simple no-nonsence BC that's also VERY inexpensive. For the price I don't think you could go wrong. Do your homework and filter through all the hype before you dump big $ here.
I won't get into backplates and wings here although that is another option for you.
Regulators:
I personally use Apeks ATX200 as it's a very good performer and I can get parts anywhere. It's built like a tank. Aqualung is another great choice. I bought a used Titan LX and it's a good reg. One thing to note if you're cold water diving you'll want an environmentally sealed reg. My Apeks is sealed out of the box but my Titan LX would need a retrofit to be sealed. More add on $. Even if you never want to fix your own regs think about parts availability if you plan on diving in remote areas. I can take a service kit with me so even if I don't want to be bothered servicing my reg a tech could do it somewhere and I could be back up and running the next day. Otherwise I'm stuck with a rental reg. Not good if I'm on the dive trip of a lifetime.
Also, if you're thinking of your own tanks, think about DIN versus YOKE regs now. If you want to go DIN you have to think about a DIN to YOKE converter for travel as most places are yoke. DIN is superior that's why all tech divers use it. If you buy a yoke reg and decide later to go to DIN you'll have to buy a DIN conversion kit, $50.00 or so. Just something to think about to save you $.
Computers:
I have a Suunto Vyper. It allows me to dive Nitrox mixes as well and is downloadable to a PC. Even if you don't have a Nitrox cert. you may want to make sure your computer is Nitrox ready. It wasn't long before I got into Nitrox and I was ready to go. If I had an air only computer I would of had to buy another one. The Gekko may be a good choice if it does Nitrox. I like the wrist mounts, cleans up dangly stuff. I just got a wrist mount compass too. I lost my original Suunto compass on a retractor, don't like cable/retractors anymore. So far I really like the Suunto. Easy to read underwater and gives me all the pertinent info at a glance. Even if I went into mild deco (not by choice of course) I feel the ceiling indicators would give me the info I need to get out of trouble. I've never owned some of these other computers with idiot lights but it seems to me I'd rather have depth, time and ceiling readings over lights especially in a deco situation.
SPG: If you go with a wrist computer you obviously won't need an SPG with Depth guage AND computer. You'll only need an SPG. So don't buy a console. Get a nice Brass or Stainless pressure guage. I just got a nice OMS guage on Leisurepro. If you still want a console I'll sell you a used Sherwood mini console cheap
Fins:
Personally I think split fins are overhyped and overpriced. I learned just fine in my Jet Fins and have grown to love them. A stiff non-split will give you more "power" off the line and if you compare to a split, the split will feel "flimsy". The split fin will allow you to be more efficient at higher speed using a modified flutter kick. Depends really on the type of diving you'll be doing. IMHO, I think you'll be better off in a non-split right now, but that's my HO. Do some research. You can get used Jet Fins for $25 on Ebay and always resell them.
Masks:
I started with a standard DeepSee mask. It worked but can't even come CLOSE to my new Aqualung Mythos. Low profile, no side windows, great mask. Retail about $75.00, online about $50.00 from LP.
Snorkel:
I bought a $25.00 ScubaPro, only use it for snorkeling now.
Wetsuits:
Sounds like a 7mm for you, not sure. I bought a back zip one piece O'Neill and have grown to HATE the back zip, always jams. For tropical I have a Henderson 3mm shortie and another 3mm full.
If you buy smart on a decent no-nonsence BC you'll save mucho $ to put towards a decent computer, regulator and mask. You can also save buy not spending too much on overpriced fins.