Want to buy full gear now and need some advice please

[jz1993]

Hey everyone! This is my first time posting here so hopefully this is going in the right place.

My dad and I just finished our advanced class and now are looking to buy BCDs, regs and gauges or a computer. As of now, we both only dive around 15-20 times a year. We want something that is good quality and reliable but still reasonably priced (pretty much what most people want I'd assume).

BCD: Our instructor highly recommends a scubapro knighthawk. We went to the shop to buy it but they had an scubapro glide plus with air2 that they could sell for $300 cheaper because it is an older model (but new with warranty). Do you think the glide plus would be good a good choice?

Gauges and Computer: My dad does not see the need for a computer for himself at this time so he will probably get gauges. I want a more 'basic' computer. Do you think the 'Tec 2' would be good?

Regulator: I think the best choice would be the scubapro s5555. Any experiance with this?

Thanks so much for your help! It is really appreciated as we don't know that much about all this gear.

 

[oly5050user]

Hey everyone! This is my first time posting here so hopefully this is going in the right place.

My dad and I just finished our advanced class and now are looking to buy BCDs, regs and gauges or a computer. As of now, we both only dive around 15-20 times a year. We want something that is good quality and reliable but still reasonably priced (pretty much what most people want I'd assume).

BCD: Our instructor highly recommends a scubapro knighthawk. We went to the shop to buy it but they had an scubapro glide plus with air2 that they could sell for $300 cheaper because it is an older model (but new with warranty). Do you think the glide plus would be good a good choice?

Gauges and Computer: My dad does not see the need for a computer for himself at this time so he will probably get gauges. I want a more 'basic' computer. Do you think the 'Tec 2' would be good?

Regulator: I think the best choice would be the scubapro s5555. Any experiance with this?

Thanks so much for your help! It is really appreciated as we don't know that much about all this gear.

go to your LDS and ask if they can make a deal on 2 packages of gear for you.See if they will apply what you paid for your advance class towards the gear.Get what YOU want,not what the store has in stock at the time.A decent LDS should have most items in stock,or can get it quickly within 3 to 5 days...
Some facilities will apply class $$'s toward gear sales,some will not..our policy is if you took a regularly scheduled course with us and wish to purchase a bcd/regulator/computer package we apply the fee paid for the class towards the gear.We also offer free use of our onsite heated pool to those customers.
As to your Dad not wanting a computer, he will have to dive on tables,as you will even though you may own a computer.The cost of a set of gauges and a watch necessary to keep track of bottom time and surface intervale time can wind up to be more expensive than a computer. Set of inexpensive 2 gauge console (depth/spg) is around $189. then add cost of watch..cost of a low frills computer console can be had for around $350. It will wind up being more expensive all around if he does not get computer now..making 20 dives a year is good amount of diving and totally worthy of owning a computer for the additional bottom time it will offer.

 

[jz1993]

Thanks for your help. We are getting a discount on everything by 10% and a really good deal on the BCDs ($450). I agree with you that a computer makes sense, we will talk more about it tonight. What do you think of the specific gear I mentioned?

 

[Bubbletrubble]

It sounds like your local shop is an authorized Scubapro dealer. Scubapro is a reputable company with an international presence. Anecdotally, I have only heard good things about the company's customer service. One of my dive buddies had a couple of issues with his Knighthawk (a plastic clip broke and one weight-integrated pocket had a split seam). Both issues occurred after he put 700+ dives on the BCD over approx. 7 years. The company fixed it within a week at no charge.

I demoed the Knighthawk prior to buying a BP/W. It's a very nice rear-inflate BCD. Very durable. Easy to exhaust air from the bladder. Comfortable in the water. In many ways, it dives very similarly to the Seaquest Balance. What can I say? I prefer rear-inflate BCDs, since I find the squeezing sensation of a jacket BCD to be a little annoying. YMMV. Try out different BCDs to see what you like.

The Tec 2G is a good computer. It's feature list includes: nitrox capability, backlight, user-replaceable batteries, gauge mode, PC-downloadable profiles (investigate how much the download cable costs and whether your computer will play nicely with the 2G), and average depth read-out (which some tech divers like). It comes in a wrist-mount but can also be placed in a console. As far as I know, it's not ridiculously expensive. What's not to like?

The Scubapro line of regs is well regarded. Something to keep in mind is that, in order for the owner to access the free-overhaul-parts-for-life warranty, Scubapro mandates that the reg should be overhauled (change out pressure seats, replace o-rings, clean metal parts, tune reg) on a yearly basis. The owner still has to pay for labor costs -- ranging from $50 - $90 for the typical recreational reg setup (1 first stage, 2 second stages, SPG). Other companies might require an overhaul only once every 2 years to keep the free-overhaul-parts-for-life warranty (Apeks, Aqualung, Atomic Aquatics). Other companies might not even offer such a warranty. Understand that over the life of a well-maintained reg, servicing costs will eclipse the initial cost of the reg. It's good to be aware of all this before buying anything.

If you're diving in cold water, you might want to consider buying a reg that's rated for cold water use. For the most part, such cold water regs are environmentally sealed which prevents unintentional freeflow. Scubapro has both sealed and unsealed first stages in its reg line. It also has second stages which function well in cold water. Ask your local dealer about all of this...or do some online research on the Scubapro-Uwatec website.

Some facilities will apply class $$'s toward gear sales,some will not..our policy is if you took a regularly scheduled course with us and wish to purchase a bcd/regulator/computer package we apply the fee paid for the class towards the gear.We also offer free use of our onsite heated pool to those customers.

@oly5050user: Wow. Those are excellent perks. That really alters the cost:benefit analysis of the should-I-buy-dive-gear-online-vs.-buy-it-at-a-local-dealer proposition.

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

What do you think of the specific gear I mentioned?

If I was in the market I would not get that BC, be ambilvent about the regulator, and would buy that computer.

I’m sure Scubapro makes a lovely back inflate BC, but I do not want one, you could give it to me for free and I’d sell it. They do make nice regulators and then make parts hard to get so I’d skip their regulator too. The Aladin Tec 2g is a nice computer does everything about right.

 

[oly5050user]

Thanks for your help. We are getting a discount on everything by 10% and a really good deal on the BCDs ($450). I agree with you that a computer makes sense, we will talk more about it tonight. What do you think of the specific gear I mentioned?

nothing wrong with it.Just consider where the majority and type of diving you plan to do.If mostly travel then a knighthawk does not make sense .Its heavy to travel with and overkill for warm water diving.A better choice for a mix of local and travel diving is a litehawk..same bladder as knighthawk but over all weight is much less.Also relatively inexpensive compared to the other BCD's offered by Scubapro.
If really concerned about weight limits and prefer a jacket type bcd then a lightweight GEO bcd , but its more expensive than the litehawk.

 

[jz1993]

That is very helpful, I have a better idea what to get now. It seems like most of you were talking more about the knighthawk. Has anyone had experience or know what the scubapro glide plus is like? What is bad or good about it? It is a jack style BCD, I know it has some disadvantages but it seems like they wont matter too much for our type of use. We mainly dive in warm water (65F+) but would sometimes dive in Ontario, Canada during the summer and some small trips to warm temp water.

I really don't understand the difference between the regulators, other than some materials and ease of use. We have been using crappy rental equipment so I am sure anything new would make a huge difference. The cold weather feature doesn't matter too much at this point. Is there a difference between the M17 and M11 other than the temperature thing? Is it a bad idea to get the S555 (if so, what else in the price range would be good)?

Thx again

 

[adutto]

Hey,
When I first started diving I got my S555 reg, it worked great! so that is a good choice! Scubapro is a good brand, I have my reg and BC with them and had no trouble at all!

Regarding the computer, it is NOT recommended that a pair of divers use the same computer for both of them, as you are never going to dive the same profile as your dad. If you want an entry level computer you may want to look for a Suunto Mosquito, although I have to tell you, Suunto's algorithm is VERY conservative.

I hope this helps!

Ale

 

[adutto]

a bit more info, I have:
- BC: Scubapro Glide Pro: Works like a charm.
- When I had the S555, I used it with the MK17, which turned out to be a great set! I highly recommend those. I moved a month ago to a MK25/A700 set, just because I'm an exited guy!! heheh I didn't need to do that.

BR!

 

[BDSC]

BCD: Our instructor highly recommends a scubapro knighthawk. We went to the shop to buy it but they had an scubapro glide plus with air2 that they could sell for $300 cheaper because it is an older model (but new with warranty). Do you think the glide plus would be good a good choice?

I think the Glide Plus would make you an excellent BC. Also, if it is an older model, then you may be able to get even a better deal than what they are offering. It never hurts to try and negotiate a better deal you know. If I'm not mistaken, the Glide Plus is weight intergrated and I like that feature so you don't have to bother with a weight belt.