My advice is don’t get new stuff except mask and regulators. If possible get advice when inspecting S/H kit from and experienced diver. Or even ask on hear.
IF you get SH regulators allow for the cost of an IMEDIATE service before contemplating how cheep they are. You have no idea how well looked after they are or how well set up.
A couple of bits of solid advice I can offer that wont get too much argument.
Regulators:
Get DIN fittings and get an adaptor if travelling abroad
APEX: TX40 Second stage (the bit in your mouth) on DS4 1st stage (the bit on the tank) are cheep as chips and very very good. If you are offered Apex 40,50, 100,200 or the ATX range on DS4's or DST's they are all excellent. Also cheep to service. ATX is smaller than the TX range.
Remember when costing a regulator new to allow for the additional £50.00 for a pressure gauge (SPG) and inflation hoses (£40) if not included as a package.
Fins:
Mares Avanti Quatros
There are better fins but none of them are as cheep as these (£50-£60).
Gloves:
Scuberpro Kevlar mesh ones. I ripped apart loads of gloves before I invested in the 5mm version of these. After a seasons diving they still look like new, very impressed.
That’s the only solid advice I can offer every thing else is open to massive argument on he forum. So the following is a personal opinion only.
Do not go for consoles they are PITA dangly things
Defo go second hand for a jacket type BCD and my preference is for integrated weights. You don’t have to use them but if like me you hate weight belts you’re laughing. I say go second hand because your going to need to find out what YOU want from a BCD before you invest in a new one.
Single tank wings:
If I knew then what I know now I would have gone for a single tank wing. I just got one for my wife (60 dives) and I got a massive telling off for not getting her one earlier.
They are very nice to use in the water. My wife’s one (OMS) can also cope with twin 7s no problem.
Dry Suits:
If your going to dive in the UK get one now. They are a sod to use at first but easy after a few dodgy dives. Go second hand find out what you like / don’t like about it and then get a Maid to Measure new one tat suits your needs. I would strongly recommend 03 neoprene suits or the new Otter telescope membrane suit.
ATB
Mark Chase