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Message
Need Scuba Gear Recs
Posted on 6/18/19 at 2:49 pm
Posted on 6/18/19 at 2:49 pm
I have been diving for a few years now and want to go ahead a get my own BCD, Regulator, and Computer. I have fins, weight belt, and mask/snorkle. Can anyone recommend something for diving in the Gulf and Adventure dives on vacation.
Should I get a BCD for integrated weights?
Should I get a BCD for integrated weights?
2
Posted on 6/18/19 at 2:51 pm to JohnDoe00
I use a back plate and wing setup for the BC. Packs smaller and just simpler overall. Regulator I used HOG gear which is a technical brand but performed very well. For just rec diving any major brand will work honestly. I actually am selling two sets of gear if only TD had a marketplace..
Posted on 6/18/19 at 5:03 pm to TheNolaClap
For vacays id rent from the shop
Major pia to
Pack all that shite
Major pia to
Pack all that shite
Posted on 6/18/19 at 6:04 pm to JohnDoe00
Backplate and wing is the way to go. Simple, streamlined, easy to scale up/down if your diving habits change.
I'm a big fan of Deep 6regulators. We have about 30 regs and the last 8 or so that we've purchased have been Deep 6. Owner is the previous owner of Hog and they have great customer service. Serious give them a call, talk to Chris or Landen or one of the crew, and they'll get you squared away.
Best computer is a Shearwater, hands down. They have a cult following for a good reason. If you've got the money to spend, get a Shearwater Teric and don't look back. If you're on a budget or not diving enough to justify that, let me know your budget and will try to recommend something else.
I'm a big fan of Deep 6regulators. We have about 30 regs and the last 8 or so that we've purchased have been Deep 6. Owner is the previous owner of Hog and they have great customer service. Serious give them a call, talk to Chris or Landen or one of the crew, and they'll get you squared away.
Best computer is a Shearwater, hands down. They have a cult following for a good reason. If you've got the money to spend, get a Shearwater Teric and don't look back. If you're on a budget or not diving enough to justify that, let me know your budget and will try to recommend something else.
Posted on 6/18/19 at 8:07 pm to shell01
Shearwater Teric here, I like it a lot. If you've got the scratch, I think you'll enjoy it.
A few friends have picked them up after I did, all are pleased...
I am new to diving but have been going every week for the past 6 months.
Local shop sells scubapro, so that's what I use. I have a BP/W and I love it over a vest type.
I have a scubapro mk25 with an a700, it's what a lot of the pros use around here. No complaints so far, way better than any rental gear you'll get. I use an Air2 for alternate air. Lots of people don't like them, but it makes sense to me, and I will keep it for now.
A few friends have picked them up after I did, all are pleased...
I am new to diving but have been going every week for the past 6 months.
Local shop sells scubapro, so that's what I use. I have a BP/W and I love it over a vest type.
I have a scubapro mk25 with an a700, it's what a lot of the pros use around here. No complaints so far, way better than any rental gear you'll get. I use an Air2 for alternate air. Lots of people don't like them, but it makes sense to me, and I will keep it for now.
Posted on 6/18/19 at 8:25 pm to DownSouthDave
Scubapro, new, is overpriced. Consider used equipment and get it serviced before use, or a brand like deep6. We've taken Deep6 first stages to 300', left them in a cave for months at a time, still breath great.
I recommend the same second stage for your primary and secondary second stage regs. No Air2 or lesser quality as a backup. Think about it: if you need it, something has already gone wrong.
I recommend the same second stage for your primary and secondary second stage regs. No Air2 or lesser quality as a backup. Think about it: if you need it, something has already gone wrong.
This post was edited on 6/18/19 at 8:26 pm
Posted on 6/18/19 at 8:36 pm to shell01
I'm on St. Croix. Used option s are few and far between. And I got some free trips when I bought gear.
Could I have done better...maybe, with patience. But regardless of cost, reviews were good. So that's what I went with. I don't have any complaints so far.
The only thing I would have done differently is mask and fins. I bought high dollar atomic stuff and that was a tremendous waste of money. I don't think that they are any better than cheaper gear.
As far as the Air2, I breathe it for periods every couple of dives. It's not as nice as my primary, but it works fine and I like the simplicity and the familiarity. I am grabbing it multiple times, on every single dive, when filling and letting air out of the bladder. I can find it in half a second with my eyes closed, it's muscle memory.
That said, I'm not sold on it. But it hasn't given me any reason to be concerned up to this point.
Could I have done better...maybe, with patience. But regardless of cost, reviews were good. So that's what I went with. I don't have any complaints so far.
The only thing I would have done differently is mask and fins. I bought high dollar atomic stuff and that was a tremendous waste of money. I don't think that they are any better than cheaper gear.
As far as the Air2, I breathe it for periods every couple of dives. It's not as nice as my primary, but it works fine and I like the simplicity and the familiarity. I am grabbing it multiple times, on every single dive, when filling and letting air out of the bladder. I can find it in half a second with my eyes closed, it's muscle memory.
That said, I'm not sold on it. But it hasn't given me any reason to be concerned up to this point.
Posted on 6/18/19 at 9:23 pm to DownSouthDave
If you are spearfishing in the gulf, especially the oil rigs, the less you have dangling the better. Thus an air 2 eliminates another possibility of entanglement should your octo come loose during a thrash with an AJ. Intergrated weights help save space on the deck on the boat which is often limited on fishing boats. Plus the boat owner appreciates them as they are less likely to ding up the deck from dropping, etc. Know how to ditch them though and make sure your dive buddy knows as well. I prefer the scuba pro bc because the molded plastic handle makes it easy to transfer the BC around the boat or out of the water. The latch also seems to hold the tank well.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 6:59 am to Hank R Hill
Agreed, streamlined and no danglies is good practice no matter what type of diving you do. I opt for a long hose primary with a backup on a bungied necklace. You always know right where it is, and with a little practice you can get your necklaced reg in your mouth hands free, just by dipping your chin.
Still suggest BP&W instead of a vest...packs up super small for travel. Choose between a light aluminum or kydex plate for travel if you're weight conscious, or a heavier steel plate thus reducing the weight you need on a belt.
Still suggest BP&W instead of a vest...packs up super small for travel. Choose between a light aluminum or kydex plate for travel if you're weight conscious, or a heavier steel plate thus reducing the weight you need on a belt.
This post was edited on 6/19/19 at 7:10 am
Posted on 6/19/19 at 7:49 am to shell01
I dive the same as shell. I use a long hose primary and a short hose secondary on a necklace. Instinct for another diver in panic is to grab your reg. That's fine as my primary is what I want them to take and I'll switch to the other second stage on my necklace. And BP/W was the best switch I've ever made. I can travel with the aluminum plate or when diving the gulf my steel 100 cylinder with steel back plate allows me to use 0 weight. It's just optimal for me.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 8:00 am to DownSouthDave
If on St. Croix go see Ed Buckley as St Croix Ultimate Blue Water Adventure - they have a great staff with a ton of experience and can help you out with gear. Ed is good people in my opinion.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 8:57 am to hunt66
I know Ed and Molly. I used them for certs and gear. I know all their staff very well, they are some of my closest friends on the island.
I've also been diving Cane Bay, they have a much better rate and do the type of sites I prefer.
I've only seen a couple people use the necklace. I take it that y'all enjoy them? It's not in a position to bother you?
Also, just switched to free dive fins for boat dives...it's night and day difference. Obviously it's not always needed, but the power and speed is awesome, especially in moderate current.
I've also been diving Cane Bay, they have a much better rate and do the type of sites I prefer.
I've only seen a couple people use the necklace. I take it that y'all enjoy them? It's not in a position to bother you?
Also, just switched to free dive fins for boat dives...it's night and day difference. Obviously it's not always needed, but the power and speed is awesome, especially in moderate current.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 9:34 am to DownSouthDave
Dave, no the necklace is not in the way at all. It's adjustable so you just fit it to where it's close enough to be useful and not danglie, but not too tight to be annoying. Here's a couple of shots of me showing position in use (being breathed from) and on the surface (also showing simple BP&W setup in that photo)
Posted on 6/19/19 at 9:35 am to DownSouthDave
No, never even notice it. It's a technical diving thing that is starting to become more mainstream. For my long hose it drops down under my right arm and then up to a 90 off the second stage. Stays nice and tidy with that route.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 10:04 am to DownSouthDave
quote:I will never dive without freedive fins again
Also, just switched to free dive fins for boat dives...it's night and day difference. Obviously it's not always needed, but the power and speed is awesome, especially in moderate current.
Granted I only dive while spearfishing where the extra thrust is welcomed but it is the only way to go IMO
This post was edited on 6/19/19 at 10:06 am
Posted on 6/19/19 at 10:19 am to mylsuhat
I may have to give the necklace a shot.
I got to make my first rig dives a few weeks ago. One of the guys down here is a member of the hell divers and I jumped on a boat for the last day of the rodeo.
It's been something I have been wanting to do for a long time, just never had the nerve. But after doing it once, I can't wait to get back stateside. It is unbelievable the amount of life under the rigs. I couldn't appreciate it until I saw it for myself.
I shot a red snapper at 145 and swam it up to about 70 to handle it. The entire trip up, a 30lb AJ was nipping at it. Made it to 70', pulled the line up and had the shaft in my hand and literally had to push the AJ away. It was just the coolest thing ever. I loved it.
I got to make my first rig dives a few weeks ago. One of the guys down here is a member of the hell divers and I jumped on a boat for the last day of the rodeo.
It's been something I have been wanting to do for a long time, just never had the nerve. But after doing it once, I can't wait to get back stateside. It is unbelievable the amount of life under the rigs. I couldn't appreciate it until I saw it for myself.
I shot a red snapper at 145 and swam it up to about 70 to handle it. The entire trip up, a 30lb AJ was nipping at it. Made it to 70', pulled the line up and had the shaft in my hand and literally had to push the AJ away. It was just the coolest thing ever. I loved it.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 11:45 am to DownSouthDave
Ill have to look into everything suggested and read more about BP&W set ups. I like the idea of it being easy to transport, and the secondary on a necklace sounds extremely convenient and safe.
On another note I have about 15-20 dives under my belt deepest being 105'. If anyone has a spot on a spearfishing gulf trip let me know. Been offshore fishing for a long time but have never been around people that dive the rigs. I just want to experience it.
On another note I have about 15-20 dives under my belt deepest being 105'. If anyone has a spot on a spearfishing gulf trip let me know. Been offshore fishing for a long time but have never been around people that dive the rigs. I just want to experience it.
Posted on 6/19/19 at 12:03 pm to DownSouthDave
quote:I was the guy at the weigh in using the computer if you were there
I got to make my first rig dives a few weeks ago. One of the guys down here is a member of the hell divers and I jumped on a boat for the last day of the rodeo.
I want to make a trip down to St. Croix to go to S's place next year
Posted on 6/19/19 at 12:14 pm to mylsuhat
I saw you then. I was there with him and stayed at WP. It was a good time.
Definitely make it down, he has a good thing going. I'll probably be down here the rest of the year. Might be able to help you get down here if you're interested. I get a few free flights.
Username84 at gmail if you're interested.
Definitely make it down, he has a good thing going. I'll probably be down here the rest of the year. Might be able to help you get down here if you're interested. I get a few free flights.
Username84 at gmail if you're interested.
This post was edited on 6/19/19 at 12:16 pm
Posted on 6/19/19 at 12:19 pm to DownSouthDave
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