Rookie curiosity here

[TSandM]

If you are thinking about buying a DSS setup, call Tobin; he'll walk you through what you need better than anybody here can. But it basically boils down to: Do you need or would you be better fit with a long plate, rather than a standard one? What tanks are you using? And how much lift can your buoyancy protection lose? A buoyancy compensator needs to float your rig on the surface, and compensate for the gas you are carrying that you intend to use, and the possible loss of lift from a compressed wetsuit at depth, or a flooded dry suit. 30 lbs is about the minimum that works well up here.

[Mayor]

When talking BP/W i always have this mental picture in my head......When your a kid playing wiffle ball and someone brings that 3x oversized bat to the game things change fast. Did I still need some skills to hit the ball? Yes, but it made things much easier. The bp/w is that big bat but you still need to find a quality driven instructor to help fine tune it.

[Mayor]

If you are thinking about buying a DSS setup, call Tobin; he'll walk you through what you need better than anybody here can. But it basically boils down to: Do you need or would you be better fit with a long plate, rather than a standard one? What tanks are you using? And how much lift can your buoyancy protection lose? A buoyancy compensator needs to float your rig on the surface, and compensate for the gas you are carrying that you intend to use, and the possible loss of lift from a compressed wetsuit at depth, or a flooded dry suit. 30 lbs is about the minimum that works well up here.

I think Tobin does a great job but I would like to see them seek out a GOOD tec instructor to fit the system even if they never take a tec class. It's worth paying them for the hour or two.

[LowDrag]

Thanks everybody. Great information from everyone.

[NetDoc]

If you are thinking about buying a DSS setup, call Tobin;

What she said. Call Tobin and he'll ask you a number of questions which might seem impertinent to you at first. They are not. You might be required to think a bit, so don't be disturbed if you have to call him more than once. Let us know what you decide.

[TSandM]

Oh, it's true! Tobin can walk you through the process of getting the right RIG to suit you, but you may still need some help from someone to get it adjusted correctly. Otherwise, you could end up like ME.

[uberdude]

Hi Rollin,
Like you I'm a lurker here because of the excellent discussion that go on here. Don't have to filter as much "opinion" as other places. I have spent the last 2 years working up my gear and skills. Like I you think that Cave Diving could be something I'd like to do in the future. As a relative new diver here are some opinions based on my experience buying gear.

1. Wait to buy your gear until you've done your course. Even wait to get a few dives before buying gear. Just in case it's not what you want to do and you change your mind.

2. When buying gear feel free to support your local dive shop but don't be scared of shopping else where. Dive Shops usually prefer to align with a certain brand, and may try to sell you gear based on that. Do whats good for you. I'm lucky (?) I only have online options so I don't have sales people pushing me anywhere.

3. As you have already done here, pick peoples brains here for gear suggestions, if/when you go the tech path, pick your instructors brains too!

4. I initially bought a BC with a wing, in hindsight wish I'd discovered BP & W before I did this. But hey like kids at Christmas we all get excited, and rush into things!

5. I agree with the DSS BP&W if I could have afforded it I would have gone that path, but due to limited finances I didn't. After research and chats with my instructor I considered DSS, Hollis, DiveRite Transplate, HOG, Halcyon, Aqua Mundo and a couple others. Prices are all similar (DSS is more expensive but your paying for service and quality). I'm 6 ft, 180 lbs, I ended up going with my second choice (after DSS) a Hollis setup 25lb Single wing, and a 45 lb double, my research, shop help and my instructor said it would be more than enough for what I want to do. If you go DSS Tobin sort you out.

Gear wise do some research on prices etc (try Dive Gear Express to check out prices, whether you shop there or not it's great website). From what I see most dedicated Tech divers seem to collect lots of gear over time so I'm sure I'll get to use DSS yet!

Think about whether you'll be traveling with gear. This is a consideration for BP material ie DSS Kydex Hybrid, Aluminum or Stainless Steel.

6.If you buy a BP&W you will probably get some form of pockets (BC's have pockets, BP&W usually don't) see the Hogarthian section for a thread on this Consider getting a single tank adaptor (possibly), and I would look at getting a Hogarthian harness, forget all the harnesses with plastic clips and do dad's. Personal opinion but I think a lot of people here would agree. See the discussion above about entanglement, streamline etc. If you seriously see your self going down the tech path, definite consideration.

Assuming you buy gear before your course, definitely consider a couple other points

7. Think about fin choices Scuba Pro Jetfins, Hollis F1's etc. You might avoid buying twice like I have.

8. Consider regulators, if your going to get a BP&W you'll probably end up with reg's to. Do some research, a lot of the tech community prefer specific set ups and regulator sets. Again will save buying twice.

Sorry this is a little more than a BP&W discussion.

I will add here I am relatively new here and yet to get in a cavern much less a cave. BUT I have walked your path already in preparation for doing so. I have picked brains here and researched SB and other forums. You've done well just asking the question. Hope my experience and thoughts help.

Good luck & Merry Christmas

[LowDrag]

Hey uberdude...thanks for the response. I am not so much a lurker here but I definitely will admit to picking peoples brains. I am not even sure about the tech diving yet, I am pretty much just concentrating on recreational so far. My reasoning for going with the BP&W is weighting based on what I have learned from TSandM as well as others. I have looked at the DIR philosophy and found it to be a bit too strict for me so I won't be getting into that arena - no offense to the DIR folks - it's just not for me is all. My wife and I will be picking up our own gear at some point but we have pretty much decided we are going to rent for a while to figure out what we like and don't like. After that we will start getting our personal gear together.

Thanks to everyone for your help and hints....it is really appreciated.