Newbie advice....

[NotDeadYet]

For once I'm finding myself agreeing with And... scarey...

I take an aluminium backplate abroad, it shoves nicely into a rucksack and the harness takes up nothing. A small wing can be rolled up very small. My ally plate and wing weigh less than my stab jacket and is far more comfortable.

My own choice for regs is Apeks. I've been using them for over ten years now and wouldn't consider buying anything else. They are extremely good value and idiot proof. I use the TX40. Most of the big name regs are good though.

[Kate R]

a few people have recommended apeks regs, which are a great cold water reg, but in my experience they're not very well known in other parts of the world. this means that were something to go wrong you might have to hand it over to someone who hadn't seen many before. scubapro is a very well known brand worldwide. on the other hand, should you take the plunge in british waters, you won't regret buying an apeks.

haven't really got any views on fins (much of a muchness in my opinion, so get the lightest if you're travelling), and if you're buying a BC i wouldn't get a very expensive one as it's probably not worth it (although i wouldn't get a very cheap entry level one either). i've dived with seaquest and scubapro BCs and they both seem to be well made.

disclaimer: the above advice is assuming warm water diving only - it would be different if you were planning to dive in the UK!

edit: just looked at the cressi BC on denny diving, and it doesn't look bad for £200! http://www.divingdirectshop.co.uk/ac...Cressibcd.html

[Woz]

Decathlon are flogging off a load of Cressi BCD's as its the end of the season. 125 quid IIRC.

[Boyd D]

Sorry to hijack this tread but if you were buying regs to use abroad would you go for DIn or Yoke? Or does it depend on where your going?

thanks

Boyd

[And]

Hi

DIN, you can always get an adapter just in case, but DIN is a more secure fitting.

Andy

[beanie]

Originally Posted by scubachick1972

Another recommendation for the Apeks reg's...built to last and no problems with mine after just over 100 dives.

Scubachick

yep another vote for apeks
I reckon the TX40 has got to be excellent value for money and dead simple too

[NotDeadYet]

Originally Posted by Boyd D

Sorry to hijack this tread but if you were buying regs to use abroad would you go for DIn or Yoke? Or does it depend on where your going?

thanks

Boyd

It think it probably depends where you dive. I don't dive much outside of Europe but the places I have have all been American stylie equipment (gauges in feet/psi, ally bottles, etc) and these have generally been a-clamp fittings. DIN valves were few and far between.

I'd guess anywhere with a more European influence would have DIN more common. I know in French dive shops they are very common.

Cheers,

Stuart

[Conor]

In line with what the others have said, I started off a warmwater diver but am now dipping my toe in the cold stuff. I got great advice from here and places like it and luckily all my gear is still in use.

I would heartily reccomend ATX40's, can get a full set (with guage and bag). DIN would be my reccomendation....a more compact solution...everywhere I have dived have DIN convertable cylinders....althought they may have to remove an insert....worst case is you have to use an adapter which makes the regs the same size as an A clamp. I would go for cold water regs, as the very slight extra cost is justified by the possiblity that you may once dive in cold water.

As for BCD, I wouldn't buy one, I would try a few different types until you know your own preference. I eventually bought a TranspacII and Travel wing. Very comfortable, sturdy, streamlined and I wouldn't go back to a jacket for anything. Make you own choice

Hope this helps

Conor

[Pretty Flowers]

Surprised that no-one has come up with the twinset and wing option yet...