What reg. package would you go with?

[Ryanh1801]

Hey guys im a newly certified OW diver looking to get my own gear. Im pretty sure im gonna go with the zeagle Brigade. But not sure yet on the reg. ST has this package. Kickin Aeris & Zeagle Package (Brigade - Ranger/Escape Hybrid), BCDS: Men, Zeagle, Kickin Aeris & Zeagle Package (Brigade - Ranger/Escape Hybrid)

and then they have this Mares Regulator Package, Packages: Regulator, Mares, Mares Regulator Package


Both come out to 999. I do like the fact that the Mares is metal and not plastic. i also like the fact I can get a wrist computer with that package. But just wondering what reg. package would you go with?


Thanks for any advice.

[bubbletrubble]

Joe and Larry are going to shoot me for saying this, but...
You may want to rent gear for a little while before you make a substantial scuba gear purchase...or at the very least dive the stuff you want to buy before actually purchasing it. All of the gear that you mentioned is solid, name brand stuff, but you may find yourself gravitating toward techie diving or DIR diving, which would necessitate going in a different direction with your gear purchases. After OW certification, I bought some affordable, used gear that served me well for many dives...then I upgraded to stuff that I never thought I would like (BP/W, higher-end regs, lights, etc.). If you have the patience to do this, I would highly recommend it. I think I saved a bunch of money doing this. That being said, I'm sure you could still recover a good bit of your initial investment by reselling the stuff you're talking about buying now. Good luck and dive safe.

[bubbletrubble]

I forgot to say that a wrist computer is a good choice. I actually prefer a wrist computer over a console since, in my opinion, it's more convenient to monitor descent/ascent rates on a right wrist computer with the left hand free to dump air via your LP hose. With a computer worn on your left wrist, you can accidentally trigger ascent alarms by moving your hand too quickly to dump air via the LP hose.

One more piece of advice is to get a wrist computer that is nitrox-capable. ScubaToys has at least one nitrox wrist computer on sale for under $200. That's really a steal in my opinion. Happy diving.

[Ryanh1801]

Originally Posted by bubbletrubble

Joe and Larry are going to shoot me for saying this, but...
You may want to rent gear for a little while before you make a substantial scuba gear purchase...or at the very least dive the stuff you want to buy before actually purchasing it. All of the gear that you mentioned is solid, name brand stuff, but you may find yourself gravitating toward techie diving or DIR diving, which would necessitate going in a different direction with your gear purchases. After OW certification, I bought some affordable, used gear that served me well for many dives...then I upgraded to stuff that I never thought I would like (BP/W, higher-end regs, lights, etc.). If you have the patience to do this, I would highly recommend it. I think I saved a bunch of money doing this. That being said, I'm sure you could still recover a good bit of your initial investment by reselling the stuff you're talking about buying now. Good luck and dive safe.

Thanks for the advice. That is one thing I have considered. I am pretty sure I am gonna want to enter the world of Tech diving, but for right now 1500 is my limit for equipment. But for right now Im just looking for gear to get me in the water as much as possible. I really have no interest in renting gear.

Thanks again.

[Ryanh1801]

Originally Posted by bubbletrubble

I forgot to say that a wrist computer is a good choice. I actually prefer a wrist computer over a console since, in my opinion, it's more convenient to monitor descent/ascent rates on a right wrist computer with the left hand free to dump air via your LP hose. With a computer worn on your left wrist, you can accidentally trigger ascent alarms by moving your hand too quickly to dump air via the LP hose.

One more piece of advice is to get a wrist computer that is nitrox-capable. ScubaToys has at least one nitrox wrist computer on sale for under $200. That's really a steal in my opinion. Happy diving.

Yeah Im defiantly gonna go with a nitrox computer. Planning on getting nitrox certified this next year. The second package I listed is the nitrox computer for 199.

[Znaught]

I am pretty sure I am gonna want to enter the world of Tech diving, but for right now 1500 is my limit for equipment.

If you're interested in learning advanced diving skills and doing some challenging dives (a simplified definition of "tech diving" I suppose), I would strongly recommend that you purchase a backplate/wing (BP/Wing) rig now and save yourself the money and disappointment over buying a jacket-style BC. Some people think that a BP/wing is only for "tech diving". Not so. A BP/wing is, in my opinion, simply the best kind of BC you can buy, for all types of diving, be it recreational, technical, commercial, or even rebreather diving. Also, a BP/wing rig can be quite affordable, equal in price to a high end jacket-type BC, e.g. $400~$500. You can also save allot of money if you buy a used rig ($200~$300). The many virtues of a BP/wing will directly benefit your diving, even if you're just a beginner. It will grow with you, as it's modular and very customizable. Do some research and some price comparisons. I think it likely that you'll find that a BP/wing within your budget. Agir-Brokk, Hollis, Golem Gear, Deep Sea Supply, as well many companies offer BP/wing systems. Check them out.

[CODMAN]

If I may add my 2 cents worth... I agree with the above posters. That's definetly not a TECH setup... And if you go TECH, you're going to have to change a lot of it (if not all of it). This said, that's great gear you've got there. Personally, I'm a Mares fan. I love their regs (simple and very easy breathing). I also like the M2 computer (have one). Definetly go for wrist mount. It does all it's supposed to do. Only thing I'd swap out (if you can) is the Octo, for a Proton octo. I've never liked the viper regs. Then again, it's only the OCTO. All it needs to do is give air till you reach the surface! It doesn't need to be a champion breather... Just a reliable breather.

If you went for the Mares package, another option would be to ask them to swap out the AbyssMR12 for an ABYSS MR22, which is used by a lot of TECH divers. It's known to be a bullet proof reg and has served many a record setting diver in the past. This would probably not cost you much and the reg would be good IF you choose to go TECH.

As I (and others) said before, if you go TECH, you're going to be replacing a lot of stuff. But I also understand a budget! And also, you are not really SURE about the TECH thing, are you? Need you spend more now just in case? That's up to you to decide...

Good luck choosing and hope this helped a bit!

[comet24]

I am a big fan of the Mares Abyss reg. Never had a problem with mine in the five year or so I have had it. Mine is the older version and with the MR22 1st BTW. Very good reg. I also use the Viper octo, mines the old Dacor name on it, when I don't dive with my AIRII.

[Grin]

It depends where your diving. If you are in warm or cold water and some other stuff from that point. I would get a Zeagle octo to start with. A Zeagle Envoy Deluxe primary and the cheapest zeagle backup they make is the one they make as a backup. Then get a Zeagle BC with the smallest bladder you need for where you dive and what size wetsuit you will be using and how much weight you will need to carry max(personally I would get a Backplate and wing and really do the right thing from the start). If you do something similar to this you will be very happy for many years. Remember, you don't want to wish you spent a little more next year to have gotten really nice stuff. Although we all seem to do it that way! Get some ideas together, and call the ST guys. They should ask you a few questions about where and what style diving, and how big you are etc... From that point they should be able to recomend changes to your ideas from that point.

[Defman]

I kinda hate to be of little use but either one would be a great purchase. Again of little use, I would buy the Mares package & add the Brigade if I were buying only because I have the MR22 Abyss and love it, I'm sure the MR12 is just as nice.