Thoughts on new dive gear

[sboada]

I'm in the market for some new gear and wanted to get some feedback, before I spend the $$.

I have been doing my research and have my eyes set on a few things:

Computer:

Right now I'm between the Oceanic VT-Pro and the Suunto Vytec. I prefer a wrist mounted unit, and like the air integration option. Though I don't have the $$ to by the transmitter for the Suunto yet. The VT pro is on sale at leisure pro with the transmitter, that's why it caught my eye.

Reg:

I am pretty much sold on the Atomic B2. Have seen impressive test results, and heard good things. A little pricey, but I don't mind spending it on gear I will have for years to come.

BC:

Here is where I need the most input. I have only dove jacket-style BC's thus far, but have heard very good things about the back inflate. I don't know that I'm convinced, and it seems like most of the back inflate BC's lack pockets. I like the idea of a Hybrid (Sherwood Tortuga) and it has received good ratings, but a little pricey ($425 last I checked).

I am currently in Okinawa, and plan on getting my AOW soon, and will return back home to Hawaii, and hope to dive on a weekly/biweekly basis.

So, with all of that said.....Your thoughts?

[Amphibious]

Not a fan of Atomic Regs, very epensive, and not value priced. Servicing is expensive and parts difficult to source if you dive around the world. Aqualung/Apeks is my choice in regs. remember with the "test results" you can only breath so hard. if you can only drive 100kph, what;s the point of having a car that can do 300? also, these super high flow ist stages are all find and dandy untill you have a freeflow.

Hard to go wrong with a Sunnto Computer, I have owned 3 (Cobra, D3, and Vyper). I don;t use air integration, so stuck with the Vyper. nice big console, easy to read, and user friendly interface.

Sherwood equipment is low end. great for rental or student gear, but If I was going to invest in my own gear it would never make the cut. if you really must have a "soft" back inflate system, I would take a long look at the Diverite Transpack. you can add on pockets, and it's built very tough. have about 150 dives in one. now I use a SS Backplate and wing from www.deepseasupply.com, and can;t think of anything else I'd rather dive.

[MKDVR]

Second the Apeks. Scubapro would be a good choice also. Lastly Atomics. IMO the 3 top regs out there.

Suunto is a good bet.

Second the backplate/wing. The transpac would be a good crossover. Had my eye on a Transpac for awhile then saw my first backplate and wing. Knew right away that was what I was looking for. Simple, uncluttered, and versatile. Retired my BC among other gear 6 years ago.

[Amphibious]

Originally Posted by MKDVR

Simple, uncluttered, and versatile.

Exactly. why i'll never go back to a jacket BC.

http://gallery.deeperblue.net/showgallery.php/cat/9084

some pics in that gallery of a Diver (me) with a BP/W setup. gives you an idea of how minimalistic the system is. very steamlined. less drags = diver working less = less air consumed = longer dives.

[Hootie]

sboada,

I have recently updated my gear,

Regs: I chose the scubapro MK17/X650 combo, these work really well together and i find the second stage alot more comfortable as the diaphragm is below the mouth. I also use a 7ft LP hose between the 1st and 2nd stage (DIR Style) although im not really into the DIR stuff it makes good sense in the reasoning and it is actually really cumfy.

Computer: I went for the Uwatec smart tec computer, air integrated, Nitrox, underwater switchable between 3 mixes (3 seperate transmitters) and easy to use and read underwater. Heaps of wanky features i will never use.

BC: For a BC i got a Zeagle Ranger LTD (Hottest looking BC i coulld find)
I use the webbed backplate that it comes standard with, weight integrated pockets, large storage pockets, loads of D-rings and heaps of other fruit for my general diving, and i can steal the wing off it to go straight onto my S/S backplate when diving with twins.

I did heaps of hunting for months, got chatting to one of the Scubapro reps and he sold me on there gear- Told me the pro's and the con's of there stuff, even sat with me for 2 hours looking at other brands and pointed out the good feature of there stuff.

Have a look: http://www.scubapro.com/
The BC is unreal: http://www.zeagle.com/index.php?subm...link=RangerLTD

Hope this helps, may just be giving you more ideas and making your decision harder??

Regards Chris

[sboada]

Chris,

Reg
Thanks for the input. I was just looking at some Scubapro regs yesterday as a matter of fact. I was looking at the Mk25/S600 combo. So, I've narrowed it down to the Scubapro or the Atomic. I'd be curious to hear any input any of you might have on this. I know there are tons more that dive Scubapro, than Atomic, but why? Is it only because of cost? Do you guys think the extra $$ would be worth it? I can't find anything negative about the Atomics other than the fact that they are expensive. And maybe that the service centers are more limited. But all the tests say they are kick ass regs.

Computer
I think I've decided on the Suunto Vytec DS. I have heard nothing but good things about it. I'll wait on the air integration though, too much $$$ for now.

BC
As for the BC, I've been looking more and more into back inflated rigs. I only have about 15 dives under my belt, but have heard really good things about back inflate BC's. How does your Zeagle handle on the surface? Don't plan on spending too much time on the surface, but curious. What did you pay for your Zeagle, if you don't mind me asking. I like their rigs, but not sure I can justify spending $600 on a BC. Anyone have any of their other less expensive rigs?

Thanks again for the input

[MKDVR]

Originally Posted by sboada

Chris,

Reg
Thanks for the input. I was just looking at some Scubapro regs yesterday as a matter of fact. I was looking at the Mk25/S600 combo. So, I've narrowed it down to the Scubapro or the Atomic. I'd be curious to hear any input any of you might have on this. I know there are tons more that dive Scubapro, than Atomic, but why? Is it only because of cost? Do you guys think the extra $$ would be worth it? I can't find anything negative about the Atomics other than the fact that they are expensive. And maybe that the service centers are more limited. But all the tests say they are kick ass regs.

Computer
I think I've decided on the Suunto Vytec DS. I have heard nothing but good things about it. I'll wait on the air integration though, too much $$$ for now.

BC
As for the BC, I've been looking more and more into back inflated rigs. I only have about 15 dives under my belt, but have heard really good things about back inflate BC's. How does your Zeagle handle on the surface? Don't plan on spending too much time on the surface, but curious. What did you pay for your Zeagle, if you don't mind me asking. I like their rigs, but not sure I can justify spending $600 on a BC. Anyone have any of their other less expensive rigs?

Thanks again for the input

I dive the Mk25/S600. You can't go wrong there. Scubapro has a rep. of performance going back years and years. Atomic was started by a couple of former Scubapro engineers so you can't go wrong there either. Atomic just hasn't been around as long or have as large a network for servicing.

I guarantee you would be happy with the Mk25/S600. One of the top performing regs. on the market. Never heard a complaint or had one myself. You'll probably be happy with the Atomic but don't have much experience with them.

Tip: Don't get sucked into buying a Titanium version. Nothing much wrong with it but doesn't enhance performance or justify the extra cost. More of a sales gimmick IMO.

[Hootie]

Sboada,

The Mk25/s600 is an excellent combo, i went for the mk17 because i plan on diving in antartica in 2009 and the diaphragm 1st stages perform better in the cold water. i use the s600 as my backup, i do like the fact you can easily strip a x650 in the water. i haven't delt with atomic stuff so i cant comment on there service, but many dealings with scubapro and there service is excellent.

with computers its really each to there own and what you can afford, my only suggestion is always plan your dives using tables - the old school way - and dive to the plan, use the computer as a reference only, if the computer is less conservative than the tables, double check your plan.

As for the Zeagle, its a little bit hard to get used to on the surface, i used tank weights to begin with so i could sit with my head out, but this is common to all wing BC's. under water you feel like an eagle, they are so much more stable and hold you in a better position making you alot more areodynamic. all zeagle BCs are made really well, i have done 200+ dives with no fading or fraying like all my other bc's. i paid $2200 australian but i also had some mods done.

[sboada]

Thanks for all of your input.

I think I will go with the Scubapro reg. I like the peace of mind. Sounds like Atomic might be problematic for servicing/maintenance.

And any further input is welcomed, it will be a little while before the actual purchases, so if anyone has any other input/experiences I'd be glad to hear it.

[mps798]

dear sboada i know i might be a litle bit late but i can not resist to give an answer(sorry i was on vacations)
about regs i would suggest a diaphragm reg (the three best in my op are 1. atomic 2.poseidon 3.apeks-what i use-)scubapro is a piston reg maker
about com this is a really personal think depending the way you understand better the digits -sunto is a good option (what about vr 3 by delta p-a litle bit expensive-)
about backplate i would suggest oms


just for thinking-if you already bought your equipment then happy deco time

[sboada]

Thanks for all of the input. I went ahead and purchased the Scubapro MK25/S600 reg and have no complaints other than it's tendancy to free-flow on the surface occasionally. I also purchased the Vytec DS computer and love it. Very intuitive display and good owner's manual. Two dives on it so far and am very pleased.

No BC yet, though leaning toward a Halcyon Backplate when I have the $$.

[MKDVR]

Originally Posted by sboada

Thanks for all of the input. I went ahead and purchased the Scubapro MK25/S600 reg and have no complaints other than it's tendancy to free-flow on the surface occasionally. I also purchased the Vytec DS computer and love it. Very intuitive display and good owner's manual. Two dives on it so far and am very pleased.

No BC yet, though leaning toward a Halcyon Backplate when I have the $$.

Don't hesitate to buy a used one. They are pretty much bullet proof except for the rare need to replace the webbing.

[mci]

Originally Posted by mps798

dear sboada i know i might be a litle bit late but i can not resist to give an answer(sorry i was on vacations)
about regs i would suggest a diaphragm reg (the three best in my op are 1. atomic 2.poseidon 3.apeks-what i use-)scubapro is a piston reg maker

Great, we've got people recommending diaphragm regulators when in fact they're completely unaware that they're #1 choice is a piston. I guess Internet advice is worth what you pay for it.

[Amphibious]

wow, quite the first post! maybe you should try being a little more diplomatic when you're new?

oh, but that's just internet advice.... Hmmm.... so was your post?

welcome to Deeperblue.