When to start making equipment purchases?

[scottb27]

So I am recently certified and own the basic gear (fins, mask, snorkel) and a 3mm wetsuit. I still have not done any dives since my certification though I am going back to my local quarry this weekend and going to do 6 dives in the Caribbean in a couple weeks.

So my question is at what point do I look at buying a BC, reg, & computer; should I buy what I can now or wait awhile before purchasing?

Thanks

[Tropicalwolf]

Buy what you can afford. BC, gauges, would be primary...computer and tanks can wait.

[drrich2]

So my question is at what point do I look at buying a BC, reg, & computer; should I buy what I can now or wait awhile before purchasing?

I don't think there's a single set answer. Here are a few questions that may help:

1.) Are you going to be doing a lot of diving with rental gear soon? Look at the rental rates where you'll dive; those fees add up!

2.) Are there some things where you know what you want? I'm pretty much a run-of-the-mill jacket BCD guy; I like my Sherwood Avid 2x weight-integrated (and I greatly prefer weight-integrated to a weight belt), but if you've got some doubts that maybe you will want a back plate/wing configuration later, that may be different. An Atomic Aquatics Z2x regulator, for example, is one of a number of reputable brands/models. Do you think you'll be be doing any cold water diving? Some people like reg.s that handle cold water well.

3.) I like computers that log the dive for me. Some people like wrist units, some like console units. Air integrated is nice, but with a wrist unit that means a wireless transmitter system, and costs more money of course. Are you willing to shell out nearly $1,200 for the simplicity/intuitiveness of an Atomic Aquatics Cobalt, or do you want something several hundred cheaper that can do the job, like an Oceanic Pro Plus 2.1?

4.) If you buy a good set of gear today, and in, oh, say, 3 years, decide you want to 'go further' in diving, maybe get some technical training or take a GUE Fundamentals course, you decide you need a different dive computer and a back plate/wing rig, how upset will you be over replacing some of what you get?

It might be worth taking a look at some representative gear. You can see what it runs (I like Scuba Toys online, mention you're a ScubaBoard.com member and hopefully they still do the discount, & get it as a package deal).

1.) Sherwood Avid BCD 2x size. My last BCD had one tank strap, and I am committed to never buy a 1-strap BCD again! Weight-integrated. Zeagle is a strong brand name but some of theirs have a ripcord weight release system that can take time to reattach, and since I sometimes need to hand up my weight pouches before getting back on a dive boat (that happened at Puerto Rico once), I don't want a ripcord system.

2.) Atomic Aquatics B2 reg. (a Z2x probably would've done fine; I was aiming for strong brand name, popular 'middle of the road' model, long service interval - paid for the privilege!).

3.) Oceanic VT3 Dive Computer with wireless transmitter. Never broke down & used the transmitter, like the computer okay but working the interface is unintuitive and over time the time setting gets way off & I almost never fix it so my dive log times are wrong, and yet I do like that it logs my dives & sends the info. to my home computer via (nearly $100 proprietary) cable. I hope to get an Atomic Aquatic Cobalt, in hopes that a rechargeable battery that lasts for years before needing replacement (so I needn't have my buddy replace the battery periodically) and a reputedly simple, intuitive interface (so I'm more likely to set the time right, and put in the exact nitrox mix, not just say 'close enough to 32%' - shame, shame, some would say...) will encourage me to buckle down on my precision a bit. There's now a VT4, by the way, and people are speaking well of it and its interface.

I suspect a good, brand name & model regulator will suit you, and some people like their own reg. because you stick it in your mouth! You might want that first.

I dive almost entirely warm water settings, mainly the Caribbean or (in summer) a local quarry. You may not like jacket BCDs & I don't know what kind of computer you will want.

Richard.

[fjpatrum]

When YOU think you're ready. Every person has a different answer to your question. I bought mine before I did my cert dives. Other people decide to rent and try a lot of different gear before they make a decision. I buy used gear so I'm not "throwing away" a lot of money if I decide I don't really like a piece of gear and I can usually just resell it anyway.

PS: I'm near you and always looking for dive partners since I don't get to dive very often. PM me if you're interested in trying to get some dives in this fall.

[Beowulf]

I strongly recommend buying used. If.you're timid about used regs fine but dive gear does not hold value. I wish I had bought more gear used. Keep an eye on the classifieds here and on craigslist. Also, some dive shops do trade in so they have some decent used gear but generally at a higher price.

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[rivers]

See if you can try various pieces of equipment first, whether from a shop or other divers. Try jacket style, back inflate and bp/w models for a bc. Try various brands and models of each style (at the very least try them in a pool). Try different brands and model of regulators as well. See what YOU like. Take time buying your equipment. Be smart, don't buy twice!

[QuincyScuba]

My thoughts are you should look at a dive computer if you feel you are going to be diving very often. It is the one peice of equipment that will increase your ability to stay with in your dive limits, most divers just do what the others do or figure the divemaster will keep them safe. You are the one who will do the best job of watching your decompression limits. I have been diving for 20 years and have seen very few RDP's on boats being used on dive vacations. Most dive computers can then be added to a console later if you purchase a complete set of gear.

[Katie K]

My thoughts are you should look at a dive computer if you feel you are going to be diving very often. It is the one peice of equipment that will increase your ability to stay with in your dive limits, most divers just do what the others do or figure the divemaster will keep them safe. You are the one who will do the best job of watching your decompression limits. I have been diving for 20 years and have seen very few RDP's on boats being used on dive vacations. Most dive computers can then be added to a console later if you purchase a complete set of gear.

I totally agree with Quincy, even if you are not planing on doing a lot of diving, maybe just during vacation. A dive computer is a smart perches. You can always rent gear, but at some dive centers a computer is a must have. They act as a log book, timer, RDP and they effeminate the need to rely on someone else.

those are just my thoughts..

KT

[cocoajoe]

I think the biggest advantage of having your own gear is knowing where everything is and how it works. The disavantage is buying stuff you may not be happy with. I've read much more experienced divers than I advise to rent and at some point you'll find what you like. And I guess that's good advice. I myself, asked experienced divers a ton of questions. A lot of it you'll find is personal preference. That said, arm yourself with some basic knowlege of differences in for example: BC design. My advice is to read and ask questions.

[TMHeimer]

Renting stuff would've been a big hassle due to my location. I bought everything right away, some new, more used. I just made sure it all worked and fit. Only mistake was buying a steel 120 tank--a pain to walk around with. So try on a tank and figure out what size, gas capacity you probably would need. That's what I did anyway, and I'm still using almost all of it.