New Diver getting geared up etc etc :)

[InsaneDaniel]

well, Gday guys. I am a new aussie diver, just in the middle of my OW certificate. I am a gearhead techie researching freak Whenever I start a new hobby i usually buy all my own stuff for it, after long, intensive research. So, now that I have taken up the scuba diving flag, I am researching for my gear.

now, a fair few people have said, STOP! hire gear for your first 50ish dives and then when you know what you want, get that. I don't want to do that! I love having my own stuff and I love it high quality.

Having said all of this ^^ I am looking for advice on a short list of gear that I have semi-decided on, reliant of trying on gear and taking it out for test runs before buying.

If any of you guys could offer your insights and opinions, they would be most useful. I am pretty much sure I will be getitng a lot of my stuff O/S, in america, because the price differences for some items are quite large, even after shipping etc.

so, here is the list:

Wetsuit: Mares Isotherm 2007 6.5mm. I have looked around, and read almost all positive reports on this semi-dry. The water i will be diving in is in sydney and Melbourne, with temperatures ranging from 12C - 22C.

BP/W: I have decided to definately ditch the BCD, and go with a BP/Wing style of flotation. The diving I will be doing at the moment is rec, but i am going for AOW ASAP with wreck, deep, cave and night diving specialisations, with a look to going in a more technical direction a little later on, thus the BP/W decision. I am undecided at the moment between a Diverite transpacII - http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=TranspackPackage
and a local australian brand, BlackArt Tech. (i know you won't have much if any experience with this brand, but looking at the website should give you at least a bit of an idea of their quality/ethos. any advice here welcome.)
http://www.blackart.com.au/Products.htm
The Black art system is considerably cheaper then the diverite, at $352 USD.

Reg/Occy: Going with the mares theme again, I am tossing up between the Mares Abyss22 regulator, http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=AbyssMR22+
and the Mares V32 proton metal reg.
http://www.scuba.com/shop/diving.asp_cat_36_scuba_1_gear_033055_pn_MARES-V32-PROTON-METAL

at the moment, I am heading towards the Abyss, but am not really sure why.
Occy for both of those setups would be a Mares proton metal occy.
http://www.scuba.com/shop/product.asp?category=33&fromsearch=1&hashvalue=035033



Fins: I am fairly well set on the Apollo BioFins XT with stainless spring heel straps, which I can get locally for around the same amount as importing it, although I am still in half a mind about this. I think I will have to wait until I have tried the Tusa Xpert Zooms and the Atomic split fins, they are the other two I was tossing up between. also, please no split/nonsplit arguments. I have been reading these for the past week lol, and tried the apollos today, they were awesome.

Computer: I will be getting a Mares Nemo Titanium. I am fairly well set on this, as it is both a fashion item and a very functional computer for me. this will be paired up with a SPG and wrist mounted compass.
http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?product_id=NemoComputer
http://www.scuba.com/shop/diving.asp_cat_50_scuba_1_gear_017028_pn_SHERWOOD-METRIC-PRESSURE-GAUGE

Knife: The knife will probably be the one at the top of this page:
http://www.scuba.com/shop/product.asp_Category_30_page_3_recs_10
the innovative stingray knife. I saw one in the fleh today and it looked and felt awesome, with a hard to accidentally undo sheath.
haven't decided wether splashing out on titanium is worth it or not yet.

Mask: Sticking with the Mares theme, and because they look so damn good AND have prescription lenses available from the manufacturer, I am looking at the Mares X-Vision mask or the X-Vision liquid skin mask.

Various other bits:
- Mares Hood, Boots, Gloves. all 5mm trilastic if possible.
- Quick release weight pockets if needed
- Thigh pocket for wetty.
- Safety sausage
- Bag. not sure what I really want from a bag at the moment, so will probably hold off on buying. Although some of those roller-backpack soft cases look damn nice.


I am looking heavily into the DIR theme, and attempting to adapt it for my own anticipated needs. At first the small things, like wearing occy on bungee around neck and reg on a long hose etc, later.. who knows where diving will take me.

Once again, thank you all for your time and I hope you all decide to impart some of your knowledge to this newbie diver. Thanks again
Daniel

 

[Damselfish]

I don't think it's necessary to have 50 dives, but a little more time in the water - on real dives not just training dives doing skills - helps you form better ideas on what you want. Research is good (and fun), but a little experience will tell you which of the many opinions you read might apply to you.

All the research in the world doesn't replace trying on a wetsuit. Rather important that it fits well. Don't get hung up on a brand yet, you are better off trying a variety on if you haven't already.

As far as masks, trying on is also important. "Looks good" is a much less important feature than "doesn't leak." On the same theme, "fashion item" is not one of the better criteria for selecting a dive computer. Certainly some people like watch style computers, but they are a compromise. Personally I think you're better off having a larger screen on your computer underwater to display information. And that any ordinary watch makes a better everyday watch than a dive computer, unless maybe your work is diving and there's a point in wearing it all the time (other than thinking it looks cool.)

Many people will say not to blow a lot of money on a knife, as they tend to get lost easily. On the other hand, no-rust no-care titanium is kinda nice if you can hang onto it. Note that shears and line cutters are cheap, nice to have, and often more useful than a knife.

If you do get into tech diving, it would likely affect choices other than your BC - like fins for example.

What agency has cave as an AOW choice?

 

[Doc Intrepid]

If I were you I'd have a chat with Ben.

Find him here:
http://www.scubaroo.com.au/

Best with your goals,

Doc

 

[RJP]

I'd veto your fin choice.

Split fins are NOT good for frog-kicking, which would be the main propulsion style for wreck and cave.

Get a pair of Jets.

 

[kirikuru]

I agree with RJP on fins. FYI I have both the Apollo biofin XT and a pair of scubapro jetfins for wreck/cave/DIR. but i use the jetfins a lot more been using it for more than 10 yrs and still going strong. only mod i did was put in spring straps.

 

[divingbuddy]

Listen to the others....go with something other than the split fins. Since you seem to be a Mares man (nothing wrong with that), I have used a pair of Quattro Excels for a number of years - even with doubles and a dry suit. Excellent fins. Just my two cents...Cheers!

 

[elmo6s]

I strongly advise against Mares for a reg... If you want top of the line, I recommend a reg from Apeks, Scubapro, or Atomic - they are the true top of the line, and if tech is in your future, they will be good for that as well. At depths around 100' you can start to tell the difference... I have owned the Scubapro MK25/S600 and the Apeks XTX50/DST and I hear great things about the Atomic B2. Between these 3, the differences aren't huge, I would see which brands an LDS will service... If you do decide to go with a Mares, I have one in great shape for sale that I would ship to AU

As for computer, I really like the Suunto - again, true top of the line, Mares is ok, just not great.

As for BP/W, I know a lot of divers look down on the Transpac and other setups that look like a traditional BCD (have padding, quick releases, etc.). I'm not a BP/W diver yet (this spring), so I can't comment on those truthfully, but I know a lot of people have steared me away from setups like these and in the direction of a true BP/W - i.e. Metal Plate with Hog Harness and seperate wing. There are a ton of threads about these all over the forum, and even a guy who makes them (Tobin from Deep Sea Supply).

I bought all my own gear before my open water class, and haven't looked back (500 dives later). I wish I had bought the gear listed above the first time around, it would have saved me a lot of money!

Alex

 

[divingbuddy]

So........there I was at 110' enjoying a beautiful dive on one of the many unique shipwrecks in the Great Lakes. Bottom temperature 40 degrees, visibility around 40 to 50 feet - all in all a nice day for a dive. My buddy to the left had a Mares Abyss, and my buddy to right had an Apeks XTX 200. I was using my trusty Poseidon XStream Deep.

So........I figured this would be an opportune moment to see which would 'breathe better at depth'. Deploying the various long hoses, I was able to swim around on each of the regulators for a few minutes to see which one was 'better'. Know what I found? That each regulator (being well maintained and properly tuned) delivered all the air that I needed without any discernable difference in breathing effort. I thought they all did a great job.

So........next time someone spouts off about 'ease of breathing', ask them to back up such a statement. There was a dive done (last year I believe) to over 1000' using a Mares Abyss...hopefully it didn't make things too hard on the guy.

Find a regulator that you like, and can get parts/service when needed. Then go out and dive. Just my two cents...

 

[InsaneDaniel]

thanks a lot everyone. about the splits: I have read so much crap on do they work, are they worth it etc etc. well, I tried them yesterday, (the apollos that is) and found that they really really were easier, with an equivalent amount of propulsion. Now, true of course that I didnt try them in a current etc etc, but I am willing to give them a go. When I get to tech diving I will probably get a pair of fins just for that, and keep the apollo's for rec dives.

Re everyone commenting on the transpac etc, did any of you check out that aussie site that makes BPs and Wings? they look really good for the money, I am just a little sceptical.

and re: Damselfish, loosk good is most definately not at the top of my priority bin, but it is still there. Who wants to look like a retarded seal or frog or something when they get into the water? As stated, the masks will be bought after checking the fit, and if they fit perfectly, I have heard nothing bad about them.
about the nemo.. I would prefer a wireless air integrated watch, but don't have the money. if i had the money I would for sure go for the D9 or something similar, but until I have a real need for it, the nemo is a nice compromise that should last me a while.

thanks again all!

 

[gomi_otaku]

In cold water, *NOBODY* looks "good" in their gear, we all look like retarded seals.
I have the Tusa Expert Zooms, and while they are OK, I get my *** beat in the speed department all the time by people who are used to kicking non-splits, and by people with Twin Jets of BioFins.
And check out the Atomic Aquatics masks, their glass is truly "clear" glass and not float glass, no greenish tint. And the skirts are super soft and fit my face, which I had a hard time finding one that did well. I got the full face "frameless" but they have a split lens as well. Black skirt to keep out stray light.
gomi_