getting cert. what is the best gear?

[prow]

hello, well i finially signed up to get cert. just dont know what the good brands are for fins, mask, regulators and everything else. any brands or things i should avoid or look into? i will be using this alot so need something thats not junk and will last. any tips are welcome on anything.

[MovingTarget]

Originally Posted by prow

hello, well i finially signed up to get cert. just dont know what the good brands are for fins, mask, regulators and everything else. any brands or things i should avoid or look into? i will be using this alot so need something thats not junk and will last. any tips are welcome on anything.

Check out HOME - Scuba Diving Magazine, they have a ton of reviews and are sort of the standard authority when it comes to rating gear.

I would highly recommend getting your regulator from a local dive shop. It's life support equipment and the initial price becomes less of an issue when you consider you need to get it serviced once a year and if you don't have a warranty or an authorized dealer close you're going to cause yourself a great deal of grief.

As far as fins go I have the Appollo split fins and love them. I had some Mares paddle fins that were nice but the flexible material and the lack of effort you need to use the split fins with the flexible material is incredible.

I also recommend the Henderson Gold Core exposure suit stuff. It's a lot more comfortable, easier to get on and off, and dries quickly.

I personally have the Suunto Cobra computer and love it. It's pretty conservative but that's fine for me. Nicest features are remaining time based on air consumption, and it starts counting down a 3 min. saftey stop for you automatically when you hit 18'.

I like Scuba Pro regulators, I like my Oceanic back inflatable BC.

[MovingTarget]

Originally Posted by prow

hello, well i finially signed up to get cert. just dont know what the good brands are for fins, mask, regulators and everything else. any brands or things i should avoid or look into? i will be using this alot so need something thats not junk and will last. any tips are welcome on anything.

One more thing, you will want to do yourself a favor and get a really nice gear bag. I got one, don't want to violate forum rules so search for yourself, that has a dry back built into it. Plus it's got tons of room and has really nice padded shoulder straps.

[lcstorc]

I don't think you will be violating any rules by offering a recommendation on equipment.

[prow]

i hope thats not a rule i am always rec equipment made by so and so for reef tanks. thanks for the tip on the dry back bag. that sounds like something i definitely want.

what about fins, any certain ones better than others. pro's con's for this type or that?

[prow]

this is what i am thinking so far.
harness-single hog
back plate-DSS
wing-mach 5
fins-a pair of mares avanti quattro's and a pair of scubapro twin jets (split fins)
the regulator not sure yet but looking at these;
-poseidon xstream or jetstream with Din adapter
-zeagle flathead
-apeks TX50
-scubapro MK20 600combo

how does this sound? which regulator do you like? is the poseidon worth it? will not be doing much deep diving for a while but may find my self in some caves pretty soon.

[Cougra]

When you are getting your equipment, most especially your mask, make sure you try on a lot of different ones. Each mask is made differently and will fit different faces better then others. Don't worry about name brand too much as the fit is more important.

[MovingTarget]

Here is a link to the bag I was talking about:

Scuba diving gear Bags BackPacks at Scuba.com

I've had 2 different ScubaPro regulators and loved them. I had their low end model for years but only upgraded because it made a honking sound out of water (I guess some just do that and there isn't a thing wrong with them). My issue was it was embarrassing to sit there bobbing in the water honking away so when my local shop ran a sale I upgraded.

Again, make sure you've got an authorized dive shop for ScubaPro near you so you can have it serviced. I would first look to see what brands are carried by authorized dealers near me then check out the reviews online and talk to other divers to see what they like.

I like the back inflate BC's best because they don't sqeeze you and they work better with dry suits if you go that route. If you do get one make sure it has trim weight pockets on the back though.

I went with the Appollo split fins instead of the TwinJet because of the reviews. I personally like my Mares paddlefins for awhile but would only use split fins from this point on because of the comfort and how little energy they take to use.

I totally agree on the post about the mask above. The entire point of diving is seeing stuff and you need to have a mask that fits well to maximize your enjoyment. Try on as many as you can. I like ones with low volume with the glass close to my eyes so I can see more. When you try one on make sure to pretend you're looking at your computer or guages to see how much effort you need to exhert to monitor air. Also doesn't hurt to chomp on a regulator with the mask on to make sure it still fits well with the reg in your mouth.

[prow]

Originally Posted by MovingTarget

Here is a link to the bag I was talking about:

Scuba diving gear Bags BackPacks at Scuba.com

I've had 2 different ScubaPro regulators and loved them. I had their low end model for years but only upgraded because it made a honking sound out of water (I guess some just do that and there isn't a thing wrong with them). My issue was it was embarrassing to sit there bobbing in the water honking away so when my local shop ran a sale I upgraded.

Again, make sure you've got an authorized dive shop for ScubaPro near you so you can have it serviced. I would first look to see what brands are carried by authorized dealers near me then check out the reviews online and talk to other divers to see what they like.

sweet thanks, no problem finding gear, i live in redondo. long beach, san pedro, marina del ray, santa monica, ect...funny thing a friend of mine found out i was getting cert. who works for subapro offered to get me anything scubapro makes at coast or below. i was leannig towards the scubapro regs too. you just made up my mind. i hear that the bubbles dont come out in the best spot for pic taking. geuss i will just have to see. did you get bubble interference with your viewing using your new reg?

I like the back inflate BC's best because they don't sqeeze you and they work better with dry suits if you go that route. If you do get one make sure it has trim weight pockets on the back though.

wow there is a lot of talk about a jacket or inflate bc's. i think i will be renting for the rest of this year and try both see which works for me. sounds like i would like either. i am a very good swimmer, USS team, second alternate for the 1988 olympics, life gaurd, ucla water polo team sometime back, grew up in the water, spear fishing at 5 you know. i dont know if that matters but i am geussing i mgiht not have the same control issues with moving. i know the equipment will change things but i think i can adjust pretty easy. i did dives with my uncle a few times when i was 12-14. dont really remember much but i do know i had no problem getting around.

I went with the Appollo split fins instead of the TwinJet because of the reviews. I personally like my Mares paddlefins for awhile but would only use split fins from this point on because of the comfort and how little energy they take to use.

appollo cool, was debating on these. i do want to get a set of each paddle fins and split. i am pretty much set on the mares avanti. for the spitfins with my hook up on scubapro gear, would you still go with the appollo's over the twinjets?

I totally agree on the post about the mask above. The entire point of diving is seeing stuff and you need to have a mask that fits well to maximize your enjoyment. Try on as many as you can. I like ones with low volume with the glass close to my eyes so I can see more. When you try one on make sure to pretend you're looking at your computer or guages to see how much effort you need to exhert to monitor air. Also doesn't hurt to chomp on a regulator with the mask on to make sure it still fits well with the reg in your mouth.

nice tips thanks. i figured it was like goggles. i have always used the cheap $8 ones. the $30-$40 never worked for me. thanks again for all the tip, a huge help, big time.

[dkissane]

Your mask is going to be your best friend. They all fit everyone different and it may take several trys to get the perfect fit for your face. Don't skimp on the cheap ones because in the long run you'll have to purchase an additional mask and you'll pay more int he long run. I have found that having a custom fit mouth piece on my reg makes keeping the reg in your mouth easy and cuts down on an aching jaw after a long day of diving. I love my scubapro bc with integrated weights and pockets on the pack that you can put bean-bag weights. Its comfortable and you dont have to mess with the weight belt and you still have the safety of knowing you can ditch the weights if you are ever in trouble. Good Luck finding the perfect gear!

[prow]

thanks, got everything but the reg and bc. have to try out dome various one first but looks like the DSS plate with a back inflate. the reg still not sure. i want the new poseidon xtreme. the only hang up is getting serviced. still looking into it. if i can find someone close that dose service them thats what i am getting.

BTW, i am going on my first lobster hunt this week, can not wait. should be lots of fun and some good eat after

[Cal Native]

I would suggest that you wait until you complete your certification, that way you will get a better feel for what you like. The class should provide equipment while you learn. I have seen far to many students purchase equipment from the start only to be unhappy later on. Take it from an old PADI dive master.

[Woodstock]

How did your lobster hunt go two months ago??

I signed up to get certified last year but had to cancel Oneday I will!

[prow]

Originally Posted by Cal Native

I would suggest that you wait until you complete your certification, that way you will get a better feel for what you like. The class should provide equipment while you learn. I have seen far to many students purchase equipment from the start only to be unhappy later on. Take it from an old PADI dive master.

hey cal native, that is good advice and pretty much what i did. you want to go with us. i have been cert for a little while. got my adv. diver cert already too. just need a dive computer now, got everything else. i live across the bay from you, always looking for another dive buddy.

[prow]

Originally Posted by Woodstock

How did your lobster hunt go two months ago??

I signed up to get certified last year but had to cancel Oneday I will!

doni, you opened a can of worms here, hehe. this story kinda sucks for me. i got my fish lic and went diving during openning week of lobster season. spent the day trying to catch lobsters and actualy got one. he was small but keepable i got home and just finished rinsing my equipment. put it away and was going back out front to coil the hose up when there were people screeming. i looked out and there was a 12yr old kid lying in the street, obviously injured. i fig EMS would be there soon enough. looked a little closer, from across the street and noticed he was face down in a rapidly growing pool of blood. aaahhh i had to go help. went over and did a quick look, he was conscious but blood was spurting out. it was a hit and run the kid vs car. keeping his neck and back immobilized i turnned him over to find a deep lacerated wound on his face where a artery had been severed. no fliuds in the ears or anything like that. so i kept him immobilized and stopped the bleeding by the time EMS got there. when i tried to stand up i could not walk, my knee gave out and i blew my MCL. 2 months later after refusing to have surgery i am back on my feet but still can not go diving the worst part is i know that kid went to the ER was watched overnight patched up and sent home with a big headache, me on the other hand, after a couple days i got my MRI results and was told i needed to have surgery. whats up with that!!! knowing the MCL is one of the ligaments that has a blood supply i knew it could heal. my orthopedic told me, he too thought it could heal if i could take the pain until it does, he still thought i would need surgery at some point. all is looking good now, i am thinking my knee will be strong enough so i might be able to go diving around X-mas time. so my new years resolution is to catch enough lobster to fill my biggest pot

bet you did not plan to hear a story like that, what a month i had. my knee thing, unloading my heavy 180gal 1/2" glass tank, current tank almost crashed. doing a water change is not so easy when you can not lift much. could not even drive anywhere. lookin foreword to the new year and of course i will be diving and playing with the all the fish in there homes