New Diver. Please Help!

[SmknStang01]

I am new to diving and i really dont know if it is something that i am going to maintain... i am on a tight budget so therefore im looking at the carribian package...
i am upgrading to the MR12 regulator and getting the Aeris computer upgrade as well.. My only question is the BCD.
It comes with the Aeris Caribe BCD and i was hoping somebody can tell me if this BCD is sufficiant for a new diver who is just looking for something cheap but also something that will work.

I live in so. cal so will be diving cold water (52-60 degrees)

[DarinMartell]

If you haven't cought the bug and are not sure if you will stay with it, why not rent for awhile? That way you will have a better idea of what you want if you do decide it isn't for you.

[Mtrewyn]

I would rent for a while, and than as you find bits of gear that you like buy them a little at a time, or call and have ScubaToys fix you up a custom package!!, they are great to deal with, they are my LDS, I live in SW Missouri my shops are just too expensive, I'm on a shoestring budget

[Zenagirl]

There's definitely NO hurry to buy gear right now. The only things you need are a mask, fins, and wetsuit. Other than that, renting everything else seems to make more sense given your uncertainty. There's plenty of time to buy gear later.

[TX1Chica]

I agree. I like the idea of having your own gear. But your first few dives, you really don't know what you like about the gear and what you want out of your gear. Rent for a while and pay attention to the negatives and postives of the gear you are using.
Look at the wt pockets and how they work. Do you want your BCD to have extra pockets, more D rings. What kinds of cut of the vest do you like...
these are just some of the things I noticed on my gear.
I think if you go with an Aeris or Oceanic computer you will really like them. I have an Oceanic, but the Aeris works about the same. Very user friendly. The only thing I would change about my gear is I would have got a better reg.

[cummings66]

Aeris Caribe BCD, where can I begin. Lets see, yes it's got enough lift for you diving so that's good. It's pretty simple, again IMO that's good. Doesn't have more than a bare bones amount of anything, and again IMO that's good.

Price, well, that's dirt cheap. Material seems to be by spec tough enough to last a while so I think it's got that covered.

IMO it's a basic BC that will work for it's intended purpose. I'd buy it if I wanted something inexpensive that works.

For the record I prefer bare bones no frills BC's so this one meets those requirements. I think pockets, integrated weights and stuff like that just messes up a BC.

For the price if you dove with it a dozen times or so it'd pay for the rentals you would be using otherwise, so it's a good BC to tide you over no matter how you add it up.

[CaptainRon]

The Caribe is a basic BCD with no weight integration. But is is really good quality and the price can't be beat. It might not have everything you want but it should have everything you need for rec diving. With it you should be able to dive any recreational dives you want. Later, if you decide to upgrade, you could relegate it to a back up role. My thought would be to get something affordable and get diving! I don't like wasting money renting when I can buy for the same price, even if I have to upgrade later. As you start diving, you will learn what you want and what you need. If you enjoy diving, you can always upgrade or sell later without too much of a loss.

[Damselfish]

Normally I would think if you're already saying you're not sure you will stick with it, best to rent for a bit. But if you have your own gear, you are more likely to stick with it, because it's much more convienient, and more enjoyable with your own gear. And at that price it should soon be cheaper than renting. If you stick with it there's a good chance you will decide to replace things later but you should already be ahead of the game.

It often makes sense to rent for a little bit to get a better idea what you want, but if your priority is inexpensive models, the gear you mention or pretty much anything from an established brand is going to work fine. As said it looks like the BC should have enough lift for you, and you're not talking water cold enough to worry about a reg freezing.