| Hi Chris W
You could just rent kit whilst you start collecting your own bit by bit
However you need to be aware that certain stuff needs servicing, If you buy 2nd hd regs obviously as you know you would get them serviced before use!
Also be aware of things that have been worn personally next to the skin like suits, or anything that has been in a persons mouth
You don't know if a suit has been pissed in before or what lergys are crawling in a 2nd hand reg set also in the mouthpiece of a BCD power inflator too!
Cylinders are always a hit and miss if you buy 2nd hand when not in test also. Careful you don't throw away good money on a scrapper!
Kit is always a personal issue and it's utimatley great to have your own gear which over time you get to know how it performs and what gear works best for you
I personally have bought the best kit I can afford and most of it was new
For regs I use Poseidons Cyklons and Jetstreams for all my diving but that suits me - obviously you decide whats right for you
I would suggest that many others probably would agree the single piece of kit you need to chose wisely are your regs as they are your life support
Happy diving
Matt  |