Your scuba set-up

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

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

aeris atomis bcd ( love the bc but im saving up for a bp/w), only complaint with this bc is that its hard to keep perfect trim.

scubapro mk25 first stage, with a g250v 2nd, and a r235 octo, attached to a hp steel 130 cylinder. (absolutely love these regs! you will have to pry them from my cold, dead hands!)

suunto cobra 2 with integrated compass (still use the wrist mounted compass more than the POS electronic one, only complaint about the cpu)

i normally use a uk ck8 dive light with an aqualung as a backup.

as far as personal gear goes, i usually use a haylcon mask, scubapro jet fins, and no snorkel (dont see the point).

exposure protection used would be; pinnacle elastiprine 5mm with merino lining, henderson 5mm hood, henderson 2mm gloves(gotta keep dexterity), and 5mm scubapro hard sole boots.

i love all of my current equipment. it all seems to do what its supposed to. the only real issue i have is using the compass on the cobra 2 and getting correctly trimmed out with that bcd. i can get perfectly horizontal, but as soon as i kick i go to 45 degrees. to correct that ill be going with a oms steel backplate, hog harness (1-piece), oxycheq 30# wing, and a total of 4 small oms weight pockets. 2 will be on the front of the "cumberbun" of the harness, and 1 will be on either side of my tank.
 
I dive the wide world, as do most, I suppose, therefore I have several configurations:

DSS backplate
Oxycheq wing(s) (18 lbs for warm waters, 40 lbs for cold, 50 lbs for doubles)
Halcyon STA (for single-tank diving)
1/2 mm or 3 mm wetsuit with a cargo pocket glued onto it, for warm waters
Trilam shell drysuit with 2 cargo pockets, for cold waters
Single HP 80 nitrox tanks for long walks on beach diving
Twin LP 72 nitrox tanks for beach diving
Twin HP 130 nitrox tanks for boat diving
ScubaPro Mk20 regs (the modern version is now Mk 25)
ScubaPro S600 2nd stage regs (we used to call this the "mouthpiece")
Sartek 21 watt HID light
X-Scooter DPV

For the BPW, I prefer simply to weave 15 ft of nylon webbing, with 4 D-rings and a metal buckle. Beginners may however prefer to start with a jacket-style B/C, and graduate to back inflation slowly.

I love everything. Not cheap, however.
 
Oceanic; Delta 4/CDX5, Swivel 180 Octo, 3-gauge analog console
Sea Quest Spectrum 2 ADV jacket BC w/ right kidney dump
Suunto Viper nitrox computer (hose mount)
Cressi Big Eye mask (black skirt)
Mares Plana Avanti X3 strap fins
Princeton Tec 400 dive light
Aqua Lung 5 mm Aqua Flex
SeaSport 5 mm booties (local generic)
Luxfer 40 cft pony, tank mounted, for extreme solo dives (SP MK12/R190 - looking for better)

One of my DM/IDC classmates had the first back inflate rig I saw in person; my cave instructor had the second. Have only dove with a couple dozen back inflate divers in 6 years of full time teaching/guiding. As a recreational instructor/guide/photographer in a semi-tropical tourist destination, my 5 previous employers have only had one back inflate BC between them (XXL). I searched for that exact model (and blue color) BC on eBay ($120 including S&H to Hawaii), and I hope to eBay another blue one for back-up. I even bought a well used faded blue one from a recent employer for pool only use. As a photographer, a rebreather would be the only reason for me to go away from my jacket BC, and I'm not financially able to do that.

I wish I had bought two of the Delta 4/CDX5's when they had the instructor deal; I did get two of the octo's. Next pair of fins will be Mares; hopefully an instructor deal on Quattro Excel. When I have to replace my computer, Suunto will be the front runner. I have three of the Big Eye's. With the prices of the slightly better gear out there so high, I have no wish list other than an instructor/eBay deal on the new generation Aqua Lung Mistral reg.
 
Last edited:
My gear setup? It depends on what type of dive I'm doing, and I feel like "wearing" ... I've got more choices in my dive locker than I have in my clothes closet ...

Garage-1.jpg


... Bob (Grateful Diver)

I won't be the first person to point out that Bob owns 26 scuba tanks, and only one fin...
 
Golem 35# ring wing, Salvo 5# stainless plate, Scubapro 25/600 with Air2, Suunto Vytec hoseless computer, Pinnacle wetsuits (3mm, 5mm, 7mm), OMS Slipstream fins, hog harness, retractable Suunto compass, Dive Rite mask. I have been through several rigs (jacket style, back inflate, comfort "deluxe" harness, and finally the full hog harness). The comfort deluxe harness was the worst of the lot - it is neither comfortable nor deluxe, and is a pain to put together. I do a lot of solo diving in warmer waters and have selected a fairly light, streamlined setup. For solo or deeper dives I also carry a 6 cu.ft. pony affixed to the plate under my left arm. The Air2 would not be considered acceptable for technical overhead diving with a buddy but serves my purposes well. I am very satisfied with this setup.
 
SoCal Diving Configuration
Apeks WTX Harness. (Added Stainless Steel plates inside) with DiveRite Venture 30lb wing.
XSscuba HP100 tank.
ScubaPro Pocket Weight belt.
ScubaPro MK17 with R555 first stage and XSscuba octo. DIN
Omega Flip fins when shore diving or Cressi Reactions for travel or Boat. (Both have spring straps)
Whites Catalyst 360 Drysuit or custom 7mm full wetsuit.
Pinnacle boots and Body Glove 5mm gloves.
Henderson Hood
Prescription installed ScubaMax Navigator mask. (never leaks a drop)
ScubaPro K5 Stainless Knife.
Oceanic ProPlus2 computer.
Oceanic compass on right wrist.
Citizen Eco-Drive Aqualand Watch 20th Anniversary Model.
Sony PC120 Video Camera, Ocean Images Housing, Nocturnal Lights with custom (by me) tray and Ultralight arms.

Warm Water configuration is the same except I use a custom made 5-3mm wetsuit, no hood or gloves and I add a DIN yoke converter for the rental tanks.


Pros: The WTX Harness system is terrific as is the regulator setup. Drysuit makes for a nice surface intervals. Nothing beats the Flip fins for ease of exiting the Casino Dive Park.

Cons: I really need to upgrade to HD and will as soon as I can come up with an extra $10g’s

 
My gear setup? It depends on what type of dive I'm doing, and I feel like "wearing" ... I've got more choices in my dive locker than I have in my clothes closet ...

Garage-1.jpg


... Bob (Grateful Diver)




How the hell did you get a picture of my garage? LOL. You do have me beat by 5 tanks. But I do have 3 working sets of fins! :rofl3:
 
Please post your diver set up here, but be sure to state WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!

Also post the advantages and disadvantages of your equipment, this is a thread to help people decide what gear to buy and what gear NOT to buy!! I'm sure alot of people would be grateful for your opinions on this (including myself!) as im sure theres plenty of people who have spent alot on the wrong type of set up.

Please be sure to post what type of climate you dive in too. (i.e. temperate, medditeranean(sp?) etc..)

TIA

Dive Ireland

Moving back to sanity for a minute....... Do you want listed recreational set-up or beyond recreational set-ups???
 
My gear is relatively new but here goes I like every thing i own except the mask i really dislike the mask I only have 6 dives with the TransPac but i do love it ,i cant say enough about the reg,it breaths like a charm down to 120 ( as deep as i have gone) the computer is OK more features than i need at this point but i hope to grow into that

I dive primarily warm waters but I do live in NY

Dive Rite Trans pac W\trek wing
Scuba Pro MK25 / S600 octo 295
Suunto Vytec (not air integrated)
Scuba Pro Split fins
custom 3mm wet suit
Neo Sport 2mm shorty
5mm boots 3mm glove 5 mm hood
Mares liquid fit mask
 
My gear is relatively new but here goes I like every thing i own except the mask i really dislike the mask

My first mask was a TUSA Liberator with a purge valve. It hurt under my nose terribly! I picked up a frameless XS Scuba mask for less than $40 and it has been a real pleasure to dive! No glare issues and super comfy on the face and nose!
XS Scuba MA400 Merge Scuba Mask

Good luck!
Carolyn:sharks:
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

Back
Top Bottom