For experienced divers only: best SCUBA gear?

Question

I am looking to invest on the best SCUBA gear and would like to hear from hard-core recreational divers - what brands and models are on your scuba wish-list? Post links whenever you can, please. Thanks in anticipation!

Answer 1

It's going to be best fit and what sort of diving you plan on. STAY AWAY from online sales for numerous reasons, the main one being unsafe gear that's sold there. It's not uncommon for an online "dive shop" to get rid of factory seconds and defective gear this way. Besides, you won't get a proper fit, nor will you get personal service, both important as this gear will need servicing by a pro and if it doesn't fit, it can be dangerous. By buying at your local shop, you also help support it. It’s hard to find buddies via an online store. It’s easy in the dive shop and beers can be on the menu after the dive.

Just about all the major manufacturers of gear have been around a long time and are quite reputable, so it's going to boil down to type of diving (warm/cold, wreck/reef/cave, travel gear/stay at home gear, etc), the fit of the gear ( it may be rated the best but if it doesn't fit you, it's the same as it being the worst) and your price range.

If you plan on doing a lot of local diving, hit your nearest dive shops and take note of which manufacturers they deal and what they recommend for local conditions, then start trying stuff on. If at all possible, rent it to try before buying. Many shops rental gear will be the same as they deal.

Your number one consideration in where to spend the bucks, starts with the Regs, then the BC. Get the best you can afford for the diving you'll do.

My Xmas list? Lol, none. I have at least two of everything.

Apeks and Scuba Pro regs, Dive Rite Trans Pac and OMS BC's, Cressi Sub and Ocean Master masks, USD and Bare wet suits ( 7mm 2 pc with integrated hood and 5mm 2 pc respectively), Viking vulcanized rubber and Brooks crushed neo dry suits, Mares Quattro closed heel and Old style Blade open heel fins.

Dive computers are an old beat up ( my fav though) B'Air and an Uwatec Galileo that I use on tech dives. It replaced my old Aladin.

What I'm going to use of all that depends on the dive(s). I may lug all of that to a site, I may just take half, I may mix it up.

Answer 2

It will really depend on the type of diving you want to do, cold water, warm water, deep diving, etc.



I would recommend going to a dive shop to see a variety of the different brands and styles out there. More than likely, they will be able to get more (different brands) than what they have on display in the shop. Try stuff on, and also ask if they have version of the gear in their rental stock that you can test in a pool.



From my personal experience:



Wetsuit: My Body Glove is going on 7 years old and works like a charm. I have three different Body Glove suits of varying thicknesses. My Henderson is brand new (wedding gift) and if much more comfortable.



Drysuit: DUI TLS 350. I know there are other manufacturers, but our shop has had great success with DUI.



Mask: Mares Liquid Skin. Very, very comfortable and great field of vision.



Regulator: My Apex is fantastic and does well in all water temperatures. My Aqua Lung was the first one that I bought and is about 7 years old. I travel with my Aqua Lung.



Fins: Mares Quattro. Nice open heel fin with a lot of power. I can go foward, backwards, and helicopter turn in these fins.



Computer: Suunto Vyper and Mosquito. Very nice computers for the diving that I do. Their decompression models are a bit on the conservative side; therefore, I might change to something a bit more libreal.



BCD: For recreational diving and teaching, I use a back-inflate ScubaPro Knighthawk. For technical diving, I started using Halcyon gear (backplate, wing, webbing), but found it a bit expensive. I started going to custom made items that fit me better (6'9").

Answer 3

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Buddy checks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Can't stress it enough. There's nothing more irritating than communicating with a pal to stay beside each other, then see them not there, cran your neck around to find them and get a dose of 40 degree water go down the back of your drysuit for cracking the neck seal. GRRRRRRRRR. Stay where you've agreed to stay, monitor yourself and your pal. Never be afraid to signal an abort over something silly. It's a learning process. I'd rather ditch a dive than have a buddy fretting over a mask flood or something minor. It takes their attention off ME and themselves. If it's a first dive with a new buddy, don't be afraid to let them know how experienced ( or not) you are. I'd rather know at the surface than find out in current at 90 ft. The dive can be adjusted before the dive, after...well it's a little late. Get to know all sorts of gear and techniques. Knowledge is power and the more you have, the more people will want to dive with you because they will want you to teach and help them become better divers. Share your tips. Last but not least. I require my buddies to have a sense of humor, able to back me up on a tall story and enjoy a beer or 10 after a days diving. BTW...welcome to the sport. It's my office but I still love it. Learn learn learn :)

Answer 4

Scuba Brands

Answer 5

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RE:

For experienced divers only: best SCUBA gear?

I am looking to invest on the best SCUBA gear and would like to hear from hard-core recreational divers - what brands and models are on your scuba wish-list? Post links whenever you can, please. Thanks in anticipation!

Answer 6

Bebotin, going online is OK to see what are the new gears they have out there. SCUBAPRO, MARES, BEACHAUT, SALVO, AGIR are some of the reliable brand names for your lifeline. It is how you want to be creative in spending your hard earned money and of course having the top of the line dive gears. No questions ask for open water and technical are the SCUBAPRO's and SALVO's, but then again how'd you want it just like you said it is going to be an investment.

Answer 7

Do not buy on line unless you really, really have to. Go to your local scuba shops, they have all the catalouges and info needed to make a good selection. I'll bet half the answers you get here will be from folks that haven't been diving ever.

Answer 8

i can say the best bc i like is QD that is what i have and i love it i have been diving for 4 years and i wouldn't dive with out it and my regs are dacor love them to death to can't dive with out them