What equipment significantly changed/improved your scuba diving experience

[gypsyjim]

I thought that adding buoyancy control, a submersible pressure gage and an alternate reg to our rigs were all dam pleasant changes. Of course dry suits, BP/W and even the bungeed short hose alternate which all are more recent are pretty neat too.

 

[tbone1004]

fwiw denier is a unit not a material. grams/9000meters. the "x denier" material you see is all cordura nylon. Came out in the 1920's. It's just a heavy duty plain weave, but it has changed a lot of products, especially military.
random textile fact of the day.
Oh, denier and cotton count are inverse. cotton count is 840yards/lb so the bigger the cotton count the finer the yarn and the bigger the denier the thicker the yarn. stupid industry standards.

 

[skankpile]

-training
-bp/wing, necklace, better hose routing
-training
-2nd stage inline adjustment tool
-drysuit
-training
-side mounting
-training
-force fins
-rebreather
-lots of training

-I love the equipment, but the training, and good experienced dive buddy's is what is really helping me improve.

 

[melanie.]

First and foremost would be steel tanks. Never dove with them until this year and oh my gosh are they ever wonderful! I loved trying all different sizes, and getting the ones that suited me the best. Even better having to fiddle around with less lead!

Secondly, but very important would be drysuit. I was ready to call it in for the year and then I got a terrific bargain on a used suit. Have only done 10 dives with it so far but it has made me one happy girl.

 

[cool_hardware52]

BP&W
Drysuit
Can Light
*Real* DPV

In that order

Tobin

 

[Blue Sparkle]

Getting my own BC that fit, hands down. I looove my BC. Yes, I'm gushing!

Tied for second place:
Having all/most of my own gear*, which I "know," and which I can tweak to my satisfaction.
What I've learned here on Scubaboard, which has led to learning and trying new things in the water.

(*I still don't have tanks; nor do I have anything "exotic,", such as DPV, drysuit, etc.)

I love the "ottery" feeling of swimming so monkey diving looks like it would be super fun. I hope I can try it some day. Then maybe DPV will be at the top of the list?

Blue Sparkle

 

[ajduplessis]

Halcyon BP/W
Quality Hoodies
Drysuit
Can LED
SP Jet Fins, can now do all the kicking styles with ease
Exhaust Tee/Bubble deflectors for my S600

and V-Planner

 

[Hawkwood]

For me it was something decidedly low-tech - a pair of White's MK3 Thermal Socks. My feet getting cold was my limiting factor. Since I've been using those, life is good!

 

[faster7581]

Awesome post, I'm new to diving, so all my gear is new, and I havent changed any gear or tried anything else yet. But it's interesting to read what improved other divers experience and might improve mine.. I dont own tanks yet, plan on getting a pair in the spring, are steels that much better to dive with??

 

[scuba_shark_fart]

Back plate and wing.. and soon to be Drysuit. When I get cold in the water, after so long of being cold, I literally can't think straight. I'll be ordering a dry suit very soon, and so far the experience I've had diving one has made a world of difference.

I was diving a back inflate BCD, and I got BP &W for my birthday. All the clutter and whatnot from my old BC is gone. What a nice change. I didn't need all the extra stuff (pockets, d-rings, etc), especially since I'm headed down the technical tunnel.