Confused on what gear to buy

[Antagonist]

I have been focusing on a BC and a Reg and totally forgot about guages and a octupus. Is there anything special that someone can recommend for me?

[Bubbletrubble]

I have been focusing on a BC and a Reg and totally forgot about guages and a octupus. Is there anything special that someone can recommend for me?

Gauges: Meh. I'm brand-agnostic when it comes to SPG. Most brass-and-glass SPGs come from the same factory in Europe. I bought 3 used Scubapro brass-and-glass gauges for $40 on Ebay last year. They all work great. For recreational depths, even the ones with a plastic face living inside a plastic console work fine. Get a HP hose length that meets your needs. Standard recreational length is 32 inches. I prefer a 26 inch HP hose. Some people use a 24 inch one. It all depends on where you like to clip off your SPG.

Octo: Purchase a reliable performer that's the same brand as your primary reg. This simplifies servicing since a reg tech authorized to work on your primary will also be able to service the octo at the same time.

[TSandM]

Well, you will need something with which to measure depth and time. Most people nowadays dive with a dive computer, and it is not an unreasonable way to start, unless your budget is incredibly strict (and even then, you're going to find it difficult to buy a depth gauge/timer that's cheaper than some of the current computers). It is my personal feeling that a computer on one's wrist makes buoyancy control much easier, simply because you can position it where you can watch it constantly during ascent and descent. Of course, you either give up air integration (the computer's ability to measure your pressure and compute your gas consumption) or you have to buy an expensive and often temperamental transmitter to get that function. Many of us don't bother with air integration and are happy enough to check a simple pressure gauge every five minutes or so during a dive.

[Chris K.]

Antagonist,
Here's the view of an oldtimer who hasn't bought a new piece in probably eight - no, ten years. All the "major" brands are good, especially for the occasional recreational diver. If you buy something the shop keeper tells you will last for a decade, guess what, it'll be outdated in five years, and you won't be able to get parts anymore. So, look at a possible useful life span of five to eight years. Best practice would be to befriend a seasoned diver and take him or her along when you buy your gear. Don't discount buying used gear, there are a lot of folks who get into diving and spend a fortune on gear before they realize that diving is not for them, or it interferes too much with whatever else they're into. They usually sell their almost-new gear for next to nothing. Again, take along someone who knows what he or she is looking at. You'd be pretty safe buying used fins, a suit, weights, mask and such. If you buy a used BCD or regs, have them checked out by a pro, and make sure you can get parts! Trying to check out gear by renting it first is good advice, except most places rent only junky, cheap stuff, and it is often in less than pristine shape. It's like trying to decide if a Volvo is for you by test driving a Volkswagen. In short, don't get hung up on brand reviews and spec sheets. Chances are, for what you need, everything out there will be good enough. It's more about how much you are willing to spend. My first regs were a set of Aqualungs. It was like sucking air through a straw, but they worked just fine for what I was doing then. Later I "graduated" to a set of Scubapros, which I still have - except i have a hard time getting anyone to service them. They are as good as new, just "obsolete". Renting gear is not all bad, especially tanks. Most places rent a tank for little more than what a fill is worth. if you include the original cost of the tanks, the annual viz inspection, hydro every five years, and the cost of fills, you're probably not too far ahead buying your own tanks. If you go on a charter, air is usually incuded anyway. At the very least, I'd invest in a good set of regs, and a BCD. It's about comfort, and knowing the ideosyncracies of your gear. Makes for a more relaxed dive if you are comfortable and familiar with your stuff. Good luck, take your time, and don't let anyone sell you a wooden nickel!

[BurhanMuntasser]

I have been focusing on a BC and a Reg and totally forgot about guages and a octupus. Is there anything special that someone can recommend for me?

For the Octo., I'd recommend the Scubapro AirII. It would probably make sense to buy the same brand Octo as your regulator setup if at all possible. As for gauges, you only need an SPG and a compass since it appears that you own a dive computer already. For the SPG, if you have access to Scubapro equipment at good price, then buy a Scubapro SGP. For the compass, Suunto has their compass mounted/attached to a retractor that can be attached to one of your BC D'rings. If not, then a Suunto wrist compass is good. Suunto makes the best U/W compass IMO.

[TSandM]

Agreed about the Suunto Sk-7 as a compass. They are fantastic, especially in one of Deep Sea Supply's wrist boots

Before you invest in an Air2, do a search and read the long and contentious threads about them. There are pros and cons of all equipment, and this one is no different.

[BurhanMuntasser]

TSandM is probably referring to this thread:

Inflator style Alt Air...do you love yours?

My views on this matter are summarized in post no. 70 in that thread.

[BurhanMuntasser]

Double post monster strikes again, sorry.

[ameri180304]

I got a cressi setup, just got certified 6mo ago

[Antagonist]

I been looking at a cressi setup but i went diving last weekend and rented a oceanic BC and it was the best BC i ever used. Perfect buoyancy and it was easy to get ctrl buoyancy