I am looking for my first equipment and looking for guidance.

[eelnoraa]

22lb of lead isn't a lot if you are diving a conventional BCD or even SS bp with AL tank in 50F water. At $2/lb, I would buy all 22, weight check, then sell of the un-needed later, and probably make small money out of it.

---------- Post added June 3rd, 2015 at 06:40 PM ----------

Certainly at $500 it is a much better deal. However that BC you point to might not be selling because how many grown men are size medium?

Now, this is actually an American's issue. Abundant food supply, over fed, lack of proper exercise, over weight.

---------- Post added June 3rd, 2015 at 07:00 PM ----------

While agree with tbone's gear choice, I don't necessary agree with that is the best for everyone or for OP. The fact is everyone prefer to dive a little differently. I have a close dive buddy who transistion from Zeagle Ranger to bp/w. And just a few months after that, he switched back. He has his preference and reason.

Regarding to OP's original ad on craigslist, here is how I will value the items:
- Mk25/S600 is as good as it gets for regulator, they usually go for about $300 used.
- Nighthawk. I ocassionaly see this go for $250-$300 on craigslist. However, what matter here is the fit. If it doesn't fit, there is no value to it. You can re-sale it, but it can be a hassle to find a buyer.
- AL80 tank out of hydro, $50 each
- 22lb lead $50

Assumming the BCD fits you, I would say at $750, it is a decent deal, not super good. At $1000, it is no go for me.

 

[diversteve]

Since nobody has mentioned the new equipment I am looking at , maybe it means not very good equipment.


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I did. Just not in a good way...

Scubapro is also a higher end brand than Mares IMO.

I'll frankly admit that I don't like Mares - they seem to develop new gimmicks that have no useful function. IMO they use too much plastic. There's a recent thread here about a woman who had both sides of her Mares lumbar tank support snap before she reached 100 dives her first year. It's plastic...

Mares looks flashy but I question some of their underlying principles. AirTrim seems like a good idea on paper until you realize that in order to make it work there's a system of valves, o-rings, pneumatic lines and special dump valves needed. All proprietary and impossible to get parts if you're not near a Mares dealer. If the Hybrid you're looking at has it - I personally wouldn't. Even Mares seems conflicted, a few years ago they had three or four models listed on their website - now there's just the one on the Hybrid.

---------- Post added June 3rd, 2015 at 08:37 PM ----------

For $2000 you could just about buy all the same gear from ScubaPro new.

$730 for the MK25/S600
$750 for the Knighthawk/AIR2

they don't really have a good $500 option to match the Puck console but Oceanic does - their Proplus 2.1 which will be much easier to read. $399 on sale currently but the normal price is under $500. Add $50 if you want a quick disconnect - handy when you want review/download dives in your cabin and your gear is two decks down.

Honestly, the same $2K for the Mares setup just doesn't even come close. Everybody sells decent gear, some just put the money into extra add-ons that solve problems that don't really exist.

Here's what I'd do with the $2K instead.

Atomic Aquatics B2
Zeagle Stiletto BCD

If I wanted a console computer, probalby the Proplus2. But I don't so I'd probably get a Suunto Vyper or D4I if I could still read the numbers and set of inexpensive mini-auges - I have the Scubapro but Cressi, Tusa etc. all sell them for under $150. Or an Oceanic Computer that falls within the $400 range - probably the GEO 2 or VEO 3 wrist models.

You can get it all at Scubatoys also...

 

[blazey07]

Thanks for the input,no now have a better understanding of the equipment .


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[tbone1004]

eelnoraa, I hear you on the Zeagle, but at least the zeagles are back inflates, that much money on a stab jacket is just throwing it away since they have no residual value, the two listings on here prove that...

 

[Keith.M]

The Nighthawk is a rear inflate and not a stab jacket.

However the wing is molded into the shoulders but no air goes around your sides.

I started with an Oceanic Excursion II which is also rear inflate but it is a separate wing.

I did decide to move on to BP/W and now have a couple of them. It's really an addiction.

 

[blazey07]

What is BP/W?


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[tbone1004]

backplate and wing. Generally a lower cost, higher quality, modular option that retains resale value significantly better than tradition style bc's. It is what all tech divers use unless they are in sidemount, but it is generally the best option for divers as "size" doesn't matter due to the harness adjustability, and unlike most traditional BC's the lift doesn't correlate to the size. You can choose the wing size you need based on your actual need.

https://www.deepseasupply.com/
Poke around there. Dig through some of the sticky's or other threads about backplates and you can read up on them.

 

[dmaziuk]

backplate and wing. Generally a lower cost

Not entirely accurate since the cheapest option I can find new right now is around $300 whereas a cheapest new jacket BCs @ LP are around $200. However this:

higher quality, modular option that retains resale value significantly better than tradition style bc's. It is what all tech divers use unless they are in sidemount, but it is generally the best option for divers as "size" doesn't matter due to the harness adjustability, and unlike most traditional BC's the lift doesn't correlate to the size. You can choose the wing size you need based on your actual need.

should be worth more than that extra $100 in the long run.

 

[tbone1004]

cheapest vs cheapest isn't an accurate view, stab jackets and back inflates get real expensive real fast. 92 is based on the bc's and back inflates on leisurepro currently without Air2's.
7/92 bc's are cheaper than $300

Best BP/W on the market imho is $480 *DSS*, $750 if you believe the Blue H rules, and best bang for buck is $380 *DRiS Trianta*
31/92 *not including the Air2's*, are more than $480. 61/92 are more than $380

Now, that means that as a rule, BC's are more expensive than comparable BP/W systems, sure both can go crazy and in the $500-$700 range they are about equal, but the sub $400 stab jackets aren't going to hold up anywhere near as long as the Trianta set from DRiS, and none will hold resale value anywhere near as well as the DSS.

So absolutes, yes the stab jackets can be cheaper, and also more expensive, but cost/quality combined with held value, the BP/W wins.

 

[dmaziuk]

best bang for buck is $380 *DRiS Trianta*

This also happens to be almost the cheapest: you can put their wing + sta on a $80 "storm" bp&harness and add LP's cheapest cambands for $20 to the total of about $330.