Back to update things. I took the reg in to my lds and had everything serviced. The tech said it didn't look like it had ever been used, so the usual service/yearly on it and it was good to go. I looked for a computer to match with the transmitter but between age and mixed reviews I decided to ditch it. I put it on ebay and after selling it as untested and unknown condition, I'm into my reg rig for $50. Life is good, but I was missing a set of gauges and a computer. So a little shopping and doing my usual thing and I ended up with a mares puck pro combo for next to nothing. It had a new battery, so screwed in the hose and everything tested out fine. I've had everything out a few times, regulator breathes great, computer works, and life is good! So on to needing a bcd...
I rented my first back inflate, aqualung rogue, and did 4 dives with it both boat and beach. I really liked it, planned on buying it, but have been saving the pennies. By the time I have the bcd, the air2 etc, it wasn't a must buy. More of a keep renting... I was pretty set on it, but still kept going between it and a bp/w, only really eliminated a jacket style as being any contention. I posted another thread whining about being indecisive, hopefully you enjoyed it. Or maybe I don't care. I just don't know... :laugh:
Anyway, started shopping again recently and decided to not go with the rogue, purely on cost. I still want one, but it will wait. I started negotiating on an oceanic bioflex. It looks similar to the rogue, price was good after negotiation but at the very end I got a "someone just offered me more money, paying for it in 4 days" email. Followed by today "the other guy won't send me the money so let's negotiate some more" email. I haven't replied yet but I think my response will be along the lines of "HAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Sincerely yours, me" :laugh:
And I moved on to the zeable covert. Again, similar in style, good reviews, good price (275'ish on leisurepro) except I'd end up swapping the inflator so that would add up. I've only used the air 2 as the backup and I know the shop I'll be doing my advanced at requires it. So I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on it when I stumble on another one, which I did pull the trigger on.
So I've officially bought THE BEST BCD ever made and refuse to listen to any opinions to the contrary. In fact I insist everyone dive the same gear I dive and if you choose otherwise I hope that Santa sneaks up on you in the middle of the night and gives you all indian burns and titty twisters while you sleep! (I'm both indian and have nipples so it's ok for me to say that). Now that I've gotten that out of the way! :laugh:
I ordered a dive rite transpac xt with a voyager exp wing. It also has 2 accessory weight pockets and a cargo pocket. It also has a new looking air 2 already installed. In pictures, looks new and IIRC was used 3 or 4 times. I did an offer to start some negotiation and we settled on $175. Hopefully it will look as good in person as in photos and I'll be getting it serviced, which again hopefully will go as well as my last gambles. I'll have to figure out the new setup of course but most of the reviews binge read over the last few days have seemed pretty decent. And I figure if I want to move on to other setups I can at least use the wing and air 2, which would cost me more than the setup did.
I like good gear in all my hobbies (something about rock climbing with safety gear assembled for pennies in china just turns me off), but I really get a kick out of working a deal.
So grand total in my rig:
0. Mask (already had from snorkeling)
0. Snorkle
0. Wetsuit (usually dive with a rashguard and already have a 3mm shorty)
$50 Jet fins
$50 scubapro regulators
$130 mares gauge and computer
$175 Dive rite BCD
$100 MISC (weights and slate etc)
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$505 and done.
Not too bad IMO for buying not cheapy chinese gear.