USFpsychDiver
Contributor
Ive seen lots of questions about what gear to get first, how much it costs, and where to get it. I have no answers, and no two people go about it the same way, but thought that one newbs journey through initial gear acquisition might have some informative value. My purchasing was perhaps a bit idiosyncratic since I was away from home (and water) for about three months between the dive trip on which I decided to keep doing SCUBA and my return to the water. That gave me a lot of time to read about gear but no chance to actually try any out (there were some dive shops nearby but no ready access to open water).
The background: my daughter wanted a dive trip for her graduation present. Neither of us was certified (although my sister is), so we both did our classes, then went on a week-long Bahamas dive trip. We both loved it and decided we wanted to do more. For simplicities sake Im not going to talk any more about her end, just mine.
After the class and the resort dives it just seemed to make sense to own my own gear. Try before you buy makes great sense except that theres so much gear out there in so many styles from so many manufacturers that it could take years to work through it all. Good, unbiased information is difficult to impossible to come by, even to the simplest which brands are good and which are cheap crap kind of info. There doesnt seem to be a consumer reports for dive gear or even relatively unbiased sources on the internet (something like cnet, pcworld, engadget, for computer and related tech). So I relied a lot on this boards, a couple of other similar boards, and a handful of blogs, with a smattering of review sites to be an educated consumer.
My first purchase was a dive computer. True this is an optional piece of equipment, but it seems like a no-brainer option. Even if you subscribe to the opinion that everyone should know their tables by heart and that computers foster a casual attitude, the fact remains that human cognition is fallible, so why wouldnt you want an accurate, automated, versatile backup. Why wouldnt everyone want a device that beeped at them if they were ascending too fast, or getting low on air. However, I did not get an air-integrated computer. After much reading it seemed like most experienced divers preferred wrist-mount to console mounted computers, and the arguments made sense (having that information right at hand without having to fumble for some bulky, dangling console). That eliminated the possibility of having an HP hose on the thing, and the hoseless air interface seems not quite ready for prime-time yet the near-field wireless communication used appears a bit flakey still, and its quite expensive, so its still a regular gauge dangling from a hose for tank pressure for me.
Im an older guy, in my mid-50s now, and my near vision isnt what it once was, so I wanted something with a big screen. Also since the geek factor is a part of the deal, it had to be something that would sync with my computer. The things are silly expensive for what is essentially a waterproof watch with a pressure sensor and some pretty simple firmware yes, I know, economies of scale but even that doesnt justify charging $120 for a sixty nine cent USB cable! I would have gone for any vendor that didnt charge that beyond insane markup on their data cable but there wasnt one that was compatible with MacDive, the clear standard for dive software on the Mac. The Mares Puck seemed the least expensive option that allowed computer syncing, and seemed a reasonable unit, the Mares Nemo Wide has the big screen but was substantially more expensive. The Nemo Wide is one of the few computers (and I believe the only one in its price range) with flashable firmware so that its functionality can be upgraded. I probably would have gone with the Puck if I had to buy new but I found a like-new open-box never-been-wet Nemo Wide on the Divers Supply web site substantially discounted from retail so snatched it up.
Next was the BC. What a morass to dig through there, with almost religious fervor among competing factions (BP/W versus vest, backup air on the power inflator or not, new-wave levers versus old fashioned buttons on the power inflators, to say nothing of where to put the weights). I flopped around a lot on this from the Zeagle Ranger to the Aqua Lung Dimension i3 to a DSS backplate-and-wing. Then Id been reading the rave reviews of the Zeagle Express Tech here and was vacillating between the DSS and the Express Tech, and was almost ready to pull the trigger on the DSS when I was a new, never-been-wet Express Tech on e-bay for $140 +$20 shipping, which was too good to pass up. I was surprised to find it had the pad kit installed when it arrived which was an added bonus. As many have noted, it really isnt usable as shipped since it will ride up; a crotch strap is necessary, as well as some adjustments of the webbing (primarily adding some keepers to prevent excessive tightening at the shoulders). Plus I added some integrated weight pockets and a couple of utility pockets which probably added another $150 or so to the total cost for a functional BC. Still, comparatively inexpensive for a light, travel-ready, minimalist BC.
People seem to have much less passion about their regulators, which seems a bit odd given their mission-critical function; maybe its because they all pretty much work the same with only minor advantages to the upmarket models (at least for standard recreational diving). I found an open-box unused Mares Prestige 22 ntt with Prestige octo for a bit over half of retail from a seller here on Scubaboard.
Everyone says wetsuit fit is critical, and it seems the item that degrades the fastest, so it seemed to make sense to but that new and local (and I wanted to toss some business to my LDS so theyll still be around to book dive trips). Then there were the miscellaneous bits and pieces: gauges, knife, straps, clips, pockets, etc., etc., etc.
Here are the items and their costs and where I got them:
Fins, mask, snorkel, weight belt w/18 lbs soft weights (new, for OW class; Scuba Haven Tampa, my certifying shop): $240
Henderson 3mm Thermoprene 2-piece (Farmer John & step-in jacket; new; lds): $266
Gear bag (LDS): $80
Tank light and safety sausage: (lds): ~$45
Mares Nemo Wide computer (open box/used/like new; Diver's Supply, online) ): $399
USB cable for computer (new; Dolphin Scuba Center, online): $103
MacDive dive logging software (new; download): $25
Zeagle Express Tech BC w/ pad kit (open box/new; ebay): $160
Crotch strap for BC (new; House of Scuba, online) : $18
Zip Touch Weight System for BC (new; Zeagle Express, online): $79
Mares Prestige 22 ntt regulator w/ Prestige octo (open box/new; private party on Scubaboard.com): $335
Two Dorcy Penetrator 220 dive lights (Piranha Dive Manufacturing): $90
(all the below items in a single order from Northeast Scuba Supply, online)
25" Miflex inflator hose (new): $50
Dive Rite SPG w/32" hp superflex hose (new): $92
Suunto SK 7 compass with DSS wrist mount (new): $80
XS Scuba mesh pocket (new): $16
Generic knife (new): $10
Assorted D-rings, keepers, snaps, retainers (new): $51
Total gear: $2139
And for completeness, course costs:
OW class: $239
Nitrox class: $139
AOW class: $130 (in conjunction with a LSD organized dive trip)
Total classes: $508
Gear plus classes: $2647
Thats from April September, 2011. Cost of dives not included (except the ones in the OW class). I consider myself pretty well configured and trained now for basic recreational diving, but very much lacking in experience. Now its a matter of finding the time to dive and the buddies to dive with. I do love it very time I get in the water; more each time.
The background: my daughter wanted a dive trip for her graduation present. Neither of us was certified (although my sister is), so we both did our classes, then went on a week-long Bahamas dive trip. We both loved it and decided we wanted to do more. For simplicities sake Im not going to talk any more about her end, just mine.
After the class and the resort dives it just seemed to make sense to own my own gear. Try before you buy makes great sense except that theres so much gear out there in so many styles from so many manufacturers that it could take years to work through it all. Good, unbiased information is difficult to impossible to come by, even to the simplest which brands are good and which are cheap crap kind of info. There doesnt seem to be a consumer reports for dive gear or even relatively unbiased sources on the internet (something like cnet, pcworld, engadget, for computer and related tech). So I relied a lot on this boards, a couple of other similar boards, and a handful of blogs, with a smattering of review sites to be an educated consumer.
My first purchase was a dive computer. True this is an optional piece of equipment, but it seems like a no-brainer option. Even if you subscribe to the opinion that everyone should know their tables by heart and that computers foster a casual attitude, the fact remains that human cognition is fallible, so why wouldnt you want an accurate, automated, versatile backup. Why wouldnt everyone want a device that beeped at them if they were ascending too fast, or getting low on air. However, I did not get an air-integrated computer. After much reading it seemed like most experienced divers preferred wrist-mount to console mounted computers, and the arguments made sense (having that information right at hand without having to fumble for some bulky, dangling console). That eliminated the possibility of having an HP hose on the thing, and the hoseless air interface seems not quite ready for prime-time yet the near-field wireless communication used appears a bit flakey still, and its quite expensive, so its still a regular gauge dangling from a hose for tank pressure for me.
Im an older guy, in my mid-50s now, and my near vision isnt what it once was, so I wanted something with a big screen. Also since the geek factor is a part of the deal, it had to be something that would sync with my computer. The things are silly expensive for what is essentially a waterproof watch with a pressure sensor and some pretty simple firmware yes, I know, economies of scale but even that doesnt justify charging $120 for a sixty nine cent USB cable! I would have gone for any vendor that didnt charge that beyond insane markup on their data cable but there wasnt one that was compatible with MacDive, the clear standard for dive software on the Mac. The Mares Puck seemed the least expensive option that allowed computer syncing, and seemed a reasonable unit, the Mares Nemo Wide has the big screen but was substantially more expensive. The Nemo Wide is one of the few computers (and I believe the only one in its price range) with flashable firmware so that its functionality can be upgraded. I probably would have gone with the Puck if I had to buy new but I found a like-new open-box never-been-wet Nemo Wide on the Divers Supply web site substantially discounted from retail so snatched it up.
Next was the BC. What a morass to dig through there, with almost religious fervor among competing factions (BP/W versus vest, backup air on the power inflator or not, new-wave levers versus old fashioned buttons on the power inflators, to say nothing of where to put the weights). I flopped around a lot on this from the Zeagle Ranger to the Aqua Lung Dimension i3 to a DSS backplate-and-wing. Then Id been reading the rave reviews of the Zeagle Express Tech here and was vacillating between the DSS and the Express Tech, and was almost ready to pull the trigger on the DSS when I was a new, never-been-wet Express Tech on e-bay for $140 +$20 shipping, which was too good to pass up. I was surprised to find it had the pad kit installed when it arrived which was an added bonus. As many have noted, it really isnt usable as shipped since it will ride up; a crotch strap is necessary, as well as some adjustments of the webbing (primarily adding some keepers to prevent excessive tightening at the shoulders). Plus I added some integrated weight pockets and a couple of utility pockets which probably added another $150 or so to the total cost for a functional BC. Still, comparatively inexpensive for a light, travel-ready, minimalist BC.
People seem to have much less passion about their regulators, which seems a bit odd given their mission-critical function; maybe its because they all pretty much work the same with only minor advantages to the upmarket models (at least for standard recreational diving). I found an open-box unused Mares Prestige 22 ntt with Prestige octo for a bit over half of retail from a seller here on Scubaboard.
Everyone says wetsuit fit is critical, and it seems the item that degrades the fastest, so it seemed to make sense to but that new and local (and I wanted to toss some business to my LDS so theyll still be around to book dive trips). Then there were the miscellaneous bits and pieces: gauges, knife, straps, clips, pockets, etc., etc., etc.
Here are the items and their costs and where I got them:
Fins, mask, snorkel, weight belt w/18 lbs soft weights (new, for OW class; Scuba Haven Tampa, my certifying shop): $240
Henderson 3mm Thermoprene 2-piece (Farmer John & step-in jacket; new; lds): $266
Gear bag (LDS): $80
Tank light and safety sausage: (lds): ~$45
Mares Nemo Wide computer (open box/used/like new; Diver's Supply, online) ): $399
USB cable for computer (new; Dolphin Scuba Center, online): $103
MacDive dive logging software (new; download): $25
Zeagle Express Tech BC w/ pad kit (open box/new; ebay): $160
Crotch strap for BC (new; House of Scuba, online) : $18
Zip Touch Weight System for BC (new; Zeagle Express, online): $79
Mares Prestige 22 ntt regulator w/ Prestige octo (open box/new; private party on Scubaboard.com): $335
Two Dorcy Penetrator 220 dive lights (Piranha Dive Manufacturing): $90
(all the below items in a single order from Northeast Scuba Supply, online)
25" Miflex inflator hose (new): $50
Dive Rite SPG w/32" hp superflex hose (new): $92
Suunto SK 7 compass with DSS wrist mount (new): $80
XS Scuba mesh pocket (new): $16
Generic knife (new): $10
Assorted D-rings, keepers, snaps, retainers (new): $51
Total gear: $2139
And for completeness, course costs:
OW class: $239
Nitrox class: $139
AOW class: $130 (in conjunction with a LSD organized dive trip)
Total classes: $508
Gear plus classes: $2647
Thats from April September, 2011. Cost of dives not included (except the ones in the OW class). I consider myself pretty well configured and trained now for basic recreational diving, but very much lacking in experience. Now its a matter of finding the time to dive and the buddies to dive with. I do love it very time I get in the water; more each time.
