New gear -- need your opinions!

[pjoh]

Hello,

I am a new diver - in the midst of my certification. In the past I have done six discover scuba dives but never paid any attention to equipment like I am doing now. I am happy with the stuff I bought but haven't tested it in the water yet and would therefore like to know the opinions of more experienced divers for two reasons: a) Make sure my local dive shop is not just offloading stuff on me, and b) my local dive shop does not allow returns of used stuff so if people have encountered issues with things that I just bought, I still have time to return it.

Mask - I have a small and narrow face so Mares X-Vision MID
Snorkel - Mares Hydrex Flex snorkel
Fins (need your comments most importantly here!) - Tusa Tri-Ex Open Heel

I tried the Aqualung Flex fins as well as Apollo Bio-Fins and Atomic Aquatic Split fins. The Apollo and Atomic did not fit me as well as the Tusa or the Aqualung. I have size 6 feet. Plus I was torn between split fins and non split. At present I have the Tusa Expert Zoom full foot fins which I use for snorkeling and had to buy new fins for diving as my instructor said they won't do. I read some threads on this forum and wasn't sure what will be good for a new diver. The salesperson at the dive shop said as a new diver I wouldn't even notice the difference between split and non-split. But I don't know. So I bought the Tusa Tri-ex and figured I will try it out for my open water dives. I got a great deal on them. Not sure if I will like em or hate them. Just wanted to hear from other folks what they think of the Tusa reputation and whether I will basically be ok with the stuff I bought.

Thanks.

[skdvr]

First let me say Welcome to the board!

OK, now that we have the formal stuff out of the way, to you questions.

I have no personal experience with any of the gear that you have purchased. The only comment that I have is about picking the gear that fits you best (not just what the dive shop wants to sell you). Do you have other dive shops around? If so they probably have different lines of equipment that you can try on for fit. The hard part about fins is that they are going to feel one way out of the water and another when you are diving with them. Your profile does not have any info about where you are so I am just guessing the reason the full foot fins will not work is because you are living somewhere that the water is cold enough to need booties. As far as split vs paddle fins. I have only used paddle fins. I did not want to spend the money on splits when I first got certified. I have been very happy with my Genesis Response fins and my XS Scuba Turtle Fins (For my drysuit). I have a friend that uses Scuba Pro Twin Jets (Split Fins) and loves them. She is a small lady and says that it is easier to keep up with the guys with them.

Good luck wth everything...

Phil

[fireflock]

The Mares mask is fine, as long as it fits your face well. Fit is more important than brand or price. Put the mask up to your face (no strap) and inhale slightly though your nose. If it sticks, you're in business.

The snorkel isn't really that important, so I wouldn't go top of the line. Most divers don't use one when they dive.

The only thing I would be curious about is why your instructor said that the full foot Expert Zoom fins are no good for scuba. The only acceptable answers that I can think of is that he/she knows you will need to wear booties for either warmth or in order to walk into the water at some of the sites where you will be diving. Plenty of people use those fins for scuba. If you get some other kind of shuck and jive answer, I would wonder.

At the same time, my personal opinion is that paddle fins are a better place to start.

Good luck with your class.

[skdvr]

Originally Posted by fireflock

The snorkel isn't really that important, so I wouldn't go top of the line. Most divers don't use one when they dive.

I was going to mention that too and I forgot. I purcharsed a dry snorkle and it has never left the bag. Well I take that back I did snorkle around my boat one day just to use it. So I would just stick with the cheapest snorkle you can find. Do not buy into the trap like I did and spend the extra on a dry snorkle. Unless you plan on using it all the time and want something with the little deflector...

Phil

[thor]

Although a lot of shops won't let you return used equipment, there are plenty of shops that will, especially if it is for equipment that doesn't fit. Perhaps if you list what city you live in, somebody may let you know of shop with a better return policy.

The mask is probably the hardest thing to buy without testing it in the water, especially if you have a small or odd shaped face. I've used the X-vision mid and the X-vision mid liquid skin and it is a good mask especially for a small face, but fit is really the only crucial factor. Leaky masks means you are fooling with your mask for a good percentage of your dive, instead of paying attention to other things. If you can find an LDS that excepts returns, I would buy a couple of masks, and use each for one whole dive, and keep the one that fits best. Its a bummer to do multiple dives with a mask that doesn't fit. The other thing you can do is borrow other people's mask, or swap for a dive.

If the X-vision Mid doesn't fit properly, look at the Atomic frameless Mid.

Don't worry. Everyone obsesses about their snorkel purchase when they first learn to dive. Is it the right color, is it the right size, should I get one with a splash guard, does it have the best clip. Most people's first snorkel purchase is also their last snorkel purchase. A snorkel is a snorkel. I have a Tusa Hyperdry II, which is so flexible, that you can bend it in half and stick it in your pocket, when you don't want to wear it, but still want it in a pinch.

If you feel comfortable in the water with all your purchases, then they are right for you. That's all that really matters.

[MSilvia]

If your mask fits, and you can breathe through your snorkle, they're fine for now. Fins are pretty subjective... I haven't used the ones you have, so I can't really offer an opinion on them, other than to say that if you've tried a few different ones and like those, they're fine too.

[pjoh]

Sorry -- I should have mentioned where I am. I am based in Brooklyn, NY and am going to finish my open water dives in Key Largo, Florida next week. I agree that fins feel different when in water than out of water. How can you tell the difference in the store then?

I have read great reviews of the Scuba Pro Jets on this forum so I am thinking of returning my Tusa's for them. But again, I won't know until I use them. If you know of any dive shops in NYC that will let you try out equipment before you buy it, please let me know. I just need it by Sunday!

I used to have a Tusa mask that never fit me well. The Mares mask feels really comfortable. The snorkel as you say, is just a snorkel!

I am not sure why the instructor said my full foot Tusa X-Pert Zoom fins won't work for diving. They (the instructor and dive shop where the instructor works) were quite adamant and in fact told us we (my husband and I) couldn't go through the pool session unless we got new fins (actually unless we got all new gear). I am a fan of full-foot fins and they also told me that OPEN HEEL was the only way to go. And that soon they will stop making full foot fins altogether. In fact their sales pitch was so pushy it bordered on offensive that I wanted to lodge a complaint against PADI.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by pjoh

Sorry -- I should have mentioned where I am. I am based in Brooklyn, NY and am going to finish my open water dives in Key Largo, Florida next week. I agree that fins feel different when in water than out of water. How can you tell the difference in the store then?

I have read great reviews of the Scuba Pro Jets on this forum so I am thinking of returning my Tusa's for them. But again, I won't know until I use them. If you know of any dive shops in NYC that will let you try out equipment before you buy it, please let me know. I just need it by Sunday!

I used to have a Tusa mask that never fit me well. The Mares mask feels really comfortable. The snorkel as you say, is just a snorkel!

I am not sure why the instructor said my full foot Tusa X-Pert Zoom fins won't work for diving. They (the instructor and dive shop where the instructor works) were quite adamant and in fact told us we (my husband and I) couldn't go through the pool session unless we got new fins (actually unless we got all new gear). I am a fan of full-foot fins and they also told me that OPEN HEEL was the only way to go. And that soon they will stop making full foot fins altogether. In fact their sales pitch was so pushy it bordered on offensive that I wanted to lodge a complaint against PADI.

is that why a lot of divemasters and instructors in the tropics use full foot fins?

I have both, full foot paddles and tusa zoom open heels... the only difference between the different styles is exposure protection - against cold feet and / or rocky shore entries...

I would go find a different shop, sounds like they are being wayyyy too pushy...

as far as the basics, sounds like you've pretty much got it covered though...

[cmburch]

If the masks fits comfortably out of water, it should work fine in water. Mares has excellent masks. I test by gently pushing the mask against my face if there is a small suction it fits me.

That is a better snorkel. I wanted to try out. Tell me how you like it. I went Tusa Platina because I have experience with Tusa. Some people do not use a snorkel; it depends on your circumstances. I use my snorkel each week in the Pacific Ocean, but I have plenty to see from the surface when spear fishing and I am unable to swim on my back due to kelp, rocks, sea grass etc. And I am not interested in spearing gulls , pelicans, and cormorants. If it is comfortable (doesn't irritate my mouth or gums), is easy to clear, and prevents me from swallowing salt water then I am happy.

I got my sister the Tusa X-Pert Zooms. She is happy with them. I recently purchased similar style Mares Raptors. They are excellent under the water, but I really dislike them for standing and surface swimming due to the angle. I only use full foot for lighter duty such as snorkeling and freediving, but if it works for you? Good Luck and have Fun!!!

Everyone can tell the difference between paddle fins and split fins for their specific type of diving. Even a new person that is just starting.

[pjoh]

I meant to say a complaint against THEM with PADI and not a complaint against PADI!

I have no idea why they said full foot don't work. It is hard to know which dive shop really has your interests at heart and which one it out to just sell their stuff, especially in NYC. I don't blame them because rents are high and they have to make a living. But you would think they got into this business because they love what they do.

After my certification I am going to post a negative review against them. But until then ... grin and bear it.