What Gear Not To Buy
- Thread starter Tickler
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
ZzzKing
Contributor
Yeah, sliced bread can be in short supply in USThe only advantage a longer blade has over shorter ones is when knives are not used as tools. Like in knife fighting.
Hey, either you're a man or you're not...
- Messages
- 17,334
- Reaction score
- 13,743
- # of dives
- 100 - 199
You obviously have a much more extensive experience with knives than I have; I've only owned and used knives as tools for some 48 years or so. I've never been in a knife fight, though, so I can't even try to claim expertise about that. I guess I should throw away my calf-mounted diving knife and only keep my harness mounted 5cm/2" bladed backup, even if I so far have used the former more often than I've used the latter. Just shows how wrong one can be.
- Messages
- 93,457
- Reaction score
- 91,800
- Location
- On the Fun Side of Trump's Wall
- # of dives
- 2500 - 4999
... or quit taking random strangers on the internet so seriously ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
I'll add to this list after I sell it!
ZzzKing
Contributor
So just close Scubaboard down completely, huh?
- Messages
- 17,334
- Reaction score
- 13,743
- # of dives
- 100 - 199
Well... That's of course an option
Trying to get back on topic, what gear have I bought that was a waste of money (for me) or which I otherwise won't recommend?
- Pistol grip light. It took me about two night dives to hate those things with the heat of a thousand suns. Nice to hold, but just as soon as you let go of it and leave it dangling from its lanyard, it rotates 360 degrees in one direction, then 360 degrees in the other. Lather, rinse, repeat. So of course it blinded at least my buddy. Usually me as well.
- Strobe light for the tank valve. In good vis it's a PITA for your buddy, in poor vis it's a PITA for both yourself and your buddy.
- Console mount for my compass. Give me a bungee mount every time.
- Too big jacket BCD. I won't diss the jacket BCD even if I prefer a BP/W myself since apparently many divers are happy with jackets. However, for most of us a BP/W harness can't be too big or too small. It's almost infinitely adjustable. A jacket BCD isn't particularly adjustable. Fortunately I was able to sell it without a too big loss.
- Split fins. I fell for the LDS' sales pitch when I was shopping before my OW class. Was only able to do a half-decent helicopter and never a back kick. These days I'm using paddles and hardly ever use a flutter kick, so I'm perfectly happy with my stiff fins.
- Roomy, comfortable hoods. A warm hood has to be snug. Really snug. The colder the water, the snugger the hood. My winter hood is so snug that my jaw gets a little tired after an hour or so, and it's a PITA to don and doff. But it's w-a-r-m.
- Retractors. Buy a bolt snap and a few cm of cave line (or flag line) instead. Or put stuff in a bungee mount on your forearm.
- Fortunately, I've never spent money on a tank banger, but my nephew has. The worst waste of money I've seen. Ever tried to hear those things while wearing a thick hood? Forget it.
- Rattle. Once, on a vacation, my guide had one of those. Annoying as heck.
- Messages
- 93,457
- Reaction score
- 91,800
- Location
- On the Fun Side of Trump's Wall
- # of dives
- 2500 - 4999
On no ... I spend a lot of time here for several reasons. Taking advice from strangers about what's wrong with my gear choices isn't one of them.
Everyone's entitled to an opinion ... take them all for what you think they're worth. None of them are worth getting upset over ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
eelnoraa
Contributor
I am lucky enough to get proper mentorship early, so I didn't make too many gear mistakes, at least I didn't think so. Still here is a list of things I have bought, which I regretted. These only reflex my personal experience. they may not apply to everyone.
The first group, I got zero value them. Once or a few uses, regretted buyin
1. My first regulator: Oceanic FDX10 + Delta4 with swivel. Swivel failed on 1st dive. Brought in Oceanic HQ in San Leandro for repair. During the repair, a recall was found for the 1st stage. They had to fix the recall or they couldn't ship the reg back to me. Costed me ~$100. The recall was free, but in order to get to the recall part, they needed to do a service on a reg after 1 dive. 2nd stage did free flow after the "service". After a few adjustment without success, I gave up. What I also learned is Delta4 2nd stage is NOT balanced. The so call "mechanical balanced" is not balanced at all. There is no balanced chamber. Knowing what I know now, I think a perfectly tuned Delta4 will free low at depth with low tank pressure because it is where the IP is the highest. You can always detuned the Delta4 to alleviate the issue. To me, it is a bad combination.
2. My 2nd regulator: Hollis DC2 212 with swivel. (I was a sucker for swivel before I know better). Problem 1: DC2 first stage ports are so close, a wireless transmitter (Oceanic in this case) can't be attached without interfering other LP hose. I was forced to use a 6" hose for a transmitter. Problem 2: LP ports are recess. LP hose fitting without some tapper before the threaded part will NOT fit. The long hose I ordered didn't fit. Problem 3: The 2nd stage swivel can NOT be simply removed and replaced by jam nut. To remove the swivel, the entire air tube needs to be replaced. Hollis/Oceanic quote me $150. According to them, anytime a reg come in and needs to be taken apart, a service will need to be done. At that point I lost hope in their regulator. I did open up 212 to see what it is inside. Compare to a HOG 2nd stage that I used as octo, I can honest say 212 build quality is far sub par compare to HOG 2nd stage.
3. Big dive knife. After #4, I bought a big 6" Ti knife from Atomic. Never once I carry it because it is too big. I use it at home now for random stuff.
4. Expansive dive knife. It is a smaller 4" blade Ti BC knife, with locking plastic holder suppsed to attached to BC. I carried it for some dive, then the locking mechanism failed, and I lost it.
5. DiveRite 16lb QLR pockets (8lb per side), bought them for Transplate harness. Pockets are way too big. If you put less than full capacity in, say 4lb, the weight will move around. The opening for the drain is also way too big. A 2lb bullet will slip out with some movement.
6. Octo holder of any kind. Tried a few, none works properly when you need them to.
The next group, I got some usage/value out of them, but if I were to start over again, I won't buy again
1. Fancy fins: My first fins from OW, AL slingshot, bought them because the instructor was using a pair, so they must be good right!!! ~$175 was what they costed back them. They are OK, but way too expansive for what they do.
2. DiveRite crotch strap. The stiffest webbing I have encounter, DR choose them for crotch strap. Even DR throw in neoprene sleeve, I can still feel the stiffness in that area.
3. Oceanic swiv pressure gauge. All platics, low built quality. I got it together with Oceanic FDX10/Delta4. Should have just got plain brass gauge.
4. DiveRite transplate harness. It is OK, wasn't as comfortable as it looks.
5. Wireless AI computer. I got it for the coolness. As my diving progress, I learned I can't rely on the ATR. I also don't need to look at the pressure reading every seconds. So one day I removed it and never miss. It is sitting in my dive closet now.
Again personal experience and preference, sorry if I offended anyone or any manufactures
The first group, I got zero value them. Once or a few uses, regretted buyin
1. My first regulator: Oceanic FDX10 + Delta4 with swivel. Swivel failed on 1st dive. Brought in Oceanic HQ in San Leandro for repair. During the repair, a recall was found for the 1st stage. They had to fix the recall or they couldn't ship the reg back to me. Costed me ~$100. The recall was free, but in order to get to the recall part, they needed to do a service on a reg after 1 dive. 2nd stage did free flow after the "service". After a few adjustment without success, I gave up. What I also learned is Delta4 2nd stage is NOT balanced. The so call "mechanical balanced" is not balanced at all. There is no balanced chamber. Knowing what I know now, I think a perfectly tuned Delta4 will free low at depth with low tank pressure because it is where the IP is the highest. You can always detuned the Delta4 to alleviate the issue. To me, it is a bad combination.
2. My 2nd regulator: Hollis DC2 212 with swivel. (I was a sucker for swivel before I know better). Problem 1: DC2 first stage ports are so close, a wireless transmitter (Oceanic in this case) can't be attached without interfering other LP hose. I was forced to use a 6" hose for a transmitter. Problem 2: LP ports are recess. LP hose fitting without some tapper before the threaded part will NOT fit. The long hose I ordered didn't fit. Problem 3: The 2nd stage swivel can NOT be simply removed and replaced by jam nut. To remove the swivel, the entire air tube needs to be replaced. Hollis/Oceanic quote me $150. According to them, anytime a reg come in and needs to be taken apart, a service will need to be done. At that point I lost hope in their regulator. I did open up 212 to see what it is inside. Compare to a HOG 2nd stage that I used as octo, I can honest say 212 build quality is far sub par compare to HOG 2nd stage.
3. Big dive knife. After #4, I bought a big 6" Ti knife from Atomic. Never once I carry it because it is too big. I use it at home now for random stuff.
4. Expansive dive knife. It is a smaller 4" blade Ti BC knife, with locking plastic holder suppsed to attached to BC. I carried it for some dive, then the locking mechanism failed, and I lost it.
5. DiveRite 16lb QLR pockets (8lb per side), bought them for Transplate harness. Pockets are way too big. If you put less than full capacity in, say 4lb, the weight will move around. The opening for the drain is also way too big. A 2lb bullet will slip out with some movement.
6. Octo holder of any kind. Tried a few, none works properly when you need them to.
The next group, I got some usage/value out of them, but if I were to start over again, I won't buy again
1. Fancy fins: My first fins from OW, AL slingshot, bought them because the instructor was using a pair, so they must be good right!!! ~$175 was what they costed back them. They are OK, but way too expansive for what they do.
2. DiveRite crotch strap. The stiffest webbing I have encounter, DR choose them for crotch strap. Even DR throw in neoprene sleeve, I can still feel the stiffness in that area.
3. Oceanic swiv pressure gauge. All platics, low built quality. I got it together with Oceanic FDX10/Delta4. Should have just got plain brass gauge.
4. DiveRite transplate harness. It is OK, wasn't as comfortable as it looks.
5. Wireless AI computer. I got it for the coolness. As my diving progress, I learned I can't rely on the ATR. I also don't need to look at the pressure reading every seconds. So one day I removed it and never miss. It is sitting in my dive closet now.
Again personal experience and preference, sorry if I offended anyone or any manufactures
- Messages
- 93,457
- Reaction score
- 91,800
- Location
- On the Fun Side of Trump's Wall
- # of dives
- 2500 - 4999
As a general rule, quite a lot of choices fall into the category of what I'd call "convenience features" ... anything that, in theory at least, simplifies some aspect of your dive. Keep in mind that convenience features come with a price, and many times they don't work out to be quite as practical as they seemed in theory. So you have to decide whether the feature is worth, for you, what you paid for it. That's going to be a personal decision, and what's "worth it" for some folks will not be for others.
Some examples that come to mind ...
Some examples that come to mind ...
- purge valves on masks
- air-integrated dive computers
- weight-integrated BCDs
- inline safe seconds (Air 2, etc)
- split fins
- almost everything on the scuba accessories rack
Similar threads
