DIR/GUE Kit Choice

**Brian of Aquanauts** · 03-07-08 10:06 PM

Originally Posted by londonsean69

It may well be the case that your instructor happens to be a dealer for a certain brand - in which case it is obvious they will sell the virtues of that brand.

I quite stongly disagree with this... especially the obvious bit.

I pride myself with taking a neutral stance on equipment, and recommend only what is good, whether that is what i sell or not.

And if I don't sell something that i recommend then i'll try to get an account but it doesn't stop me recommending it anyway. eg SANTI undersuits. I know that i've told quite a few of my customers buy one but I don't have an account and recommend people buy direct (although i can sell some other brands I still recommend SANTI).

If I find a piece of kit/manufacturer no longer comes up to standard, i'll stop recommending them and will stop selling it.

Maybe it's common for people to take a more biased stand hence the level of sceptism that seems to exist about Halcyon and GUE, or maybe some people just judge others based on what they'd do themselves.

**Graham Smith** · 03-07-08 10:19 PM

I am going to step in here and support Brian in his last post. I wont go and search for it now, but there is a thread on DIR-X discussing Dry Suits and I mentioned my experiences of meeting Brian in London and going through the options which included a great many brands that he did not or could not sell me. He gave me totally impartial and unbiased advice which, for me at least, sealed the deal for what I did eventually buy which was a Polar Bears!

Why? Because having discussed all the pros and cons of everything else I felt I had been given the information I needed to make an informed decision and in no way was pressured into buying only what was on offer. I could have walked away and bought something else that he had said was up to the job for my requirements but that he did not sell.

A lot of dealers could take a leaf from the Ocean Explorers book IMHO.

But could be a little quicker in calling me back yesterday eh Bri??

**JamieG** · 04-07-08 09:02 AM

Originally Posted by JamieG

A genuine question here and not one to start a debate about which is better etc.

From what I have read GUE/DIR divers use specific types and brands of kit and I was wondering why it is these particular models etc that are chosen.

For example Scubapro and Apeks regs - why not other tech type regs like Poseidon? Is it a servicing parts issue?

Here is my original post, it mentions nothing of politics but refers to issues like ease of servicing and parts.

Since posting I found some very useful info on another site which I later posted in this thread.

The only DIR/GUE person I have met is Clare who happens to be a dealer in some makes of kit. When I met Clare she had the oportunity to sell me all sorts of stuff and make a 'nice profit' had she wanted. However she only recommended stuff she actually used herself and gave a critique of some of the things she could obtain. For me this was a much better experience than I have often had when shopping in a LDS where they have tried to sell me nearly every item of kit they stock!

Anyway if the thread continues maybe its better to get back on the original track which was the 'practicalities' of kit rather than the alledged politics behind them.

Thanks.

**RichW** · 04-07-08 09:15 AM

OK, lets follow on with your question. It's been covered above, but probably lost in the noise.

Equipment needs to meet certain "specifications" if you like. So a wing has to:

1. Have appropriate lift (not too much, not too little)
2. Have single bladder construction
3. Have no restraining bungees

A regulator should be of downstream design.
Fins should be stiff, non-split.

Regarding the regs, poseidons are upstream (Jetsreams), so not liked. The cyclons I believe are downstream. However, the fittings are all brand specific so it's difficult to swap regulators around, if you have a mixed bag of regs. All other brands have standard threads, so makes life a bit easier.

However, on GUEF classes, I would not worry about a Jetstream or a Cyclon. I'd rather demonstrate the problems, educate the diver, and allow them to come to their own decision about whether to change brands.

Rich

**Kev** · 04-07-08 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by the_negligent_snail

I am going to step in here and support Brian in his last post.

Yeah me too. I am always making myself a nuisance by asking Brian for advice on kit purchases and he always takes the time to give good, impartial advice even when he will not benefit in any way and is obviously busy.