Hello from Kyushu

[quiet_diver]

Very glad to have found this board and community.

My history in brief:
Worked in a Colorado dive shop for a couple of years, did advanced training and acquired a divemaster license (Dive Control Specialist SSI; PADI Advanced Diver, others). That was in 1990-91. In the last few years I haven't been diving. Recently though, I've found a buddy to dive with and have beeen boat diving off Amakusa Island once a month (Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan) - about a 3.5 hour drive from where I live.

This has rekindled my spirit and reminds me of a love of the undersea, and the technical challenges of diving. Looking forward to future diving for a decade or two... I'm still using some of my old equipment, brought to Japan: ScubaPro Mk10/G250, Suunto Solution/console - I'm having these checked/overhauled.

A couple of questions:
Is there any reason to upgrade?
Do you think my 1991 computer is algorithmically effective/safe?

I'm looking for a BCD. I liked my old AIR 2 system (though bulky and with stiff buttons): combined inflator/alternate airsource.

Does anyone have some recommendations in a BCD?
I'm wondering what BCD to purchase. I want it to last, be unrestrictive, be fairly light. I'd like to use a combined inflator/alternate airsource on it. I can't pay a fortune ($300-$400. total maybe). We have lots of sea urchins here, mostly an issue when shore diving in surf - you don't want to bump into them - it's usually the side of your leg or a misplaced hand or arm that get's it, so maybe more a wetsuit issue than a BCD issue, but thought I'd mention it.

Great to be here.

 

[drbill]

Welcome to the board. I have a dive buddy in Tokyo, but have never done any diving in Japan.

I still use two Mk10/G250's (one on my primary tank, the other on my pony) and see no reason for you to "upgrade" them unless you want to spend some $$$.

Personally, I love the old Scuba-Pro X-Tek BCD's, but SP doesn't make them anymore. Have you considered a BP/W setup?

 

[quiet_diver]

Welcome to the board.

Thanks!

I have a dive buddy in Tokyo, but have never done any diving in Japan.

From north to south, it's quite varied (drysuits in Hokkaido, etc.), I've only explored my local area a little bit. Other than Okinawa and it's out-islands, there are some tropical corals where I am. I've heard the west side of Kyushu - Miyazaki - has some great diving and hope to get there next year. This site gives an example.

I still use two Mk10/G250's (one on my primary tank, the other on my pony) and see no reason for you to "upgrade" them unless you want to spend some $$$.

Thanks again. This is good to know, cause I'm quite happy with my regs.

Personally, I love the old Scuba-Pro X-Tek BCD's, but SP doesn't make them anymore. Have you considered a BP/W setup?

I haven't yet, and to be honest, don't quite know where to start. I've seen photos, is all. Could I ask you for some recommendations, for a system?

Thanks for your reply and advice.

 

[Kim]

Hi..finally another diver from Kyushu...great!!!!!! First, welcome to the board! Second - where do you live in Kyushu? I live in Fukuoka province so right now I have my fingers crossed!!! I discovered a new place to dive in Nagasaki Prefecture a few weeks ago and posted a trip report in our Zen_Divers forum. The sticky at the beginning of the forum also has some other reports about diving in Fukuoka and Yamaguchi.
Feel free to PM me if you live close - maybe we could meet up. (I'm very short of dive buddies!!!!!)

 

[quiet_diver]

Hi..finally another diver from Kyushu...great!!!!!!

Hi Kim - thanks for the welcome - I'm going to PM you now . . .

 

[Barc]

I am not far from you in Japan, Kumamoto. if you ever get down hear call me up.

 

[Kim]

Hi Barc - welcome to SB as well! I have to take my kids to a fireworks display now but I'll PM you later.

Hey guys......we have the makings of a local SB chapter here!!!!

 

[quiet_diver]

I am not far from you in Japan, Kumamoto. if you ever get down hear call me up.

Unbelieveable - I'm in Kumamoto too, bud! Will PM . . .

Nice to find out we're all in the vicinity - as usual busy with work, but always possible to figure out a dive day - great!

 

[Rafael]

Welcome to the board!
Cheers!

 

[quiet_diver]

Welcome to the board!
Cheers!

Thanks Rafael, greetings to you from Kumamoto, Japan.