Advice on Regs and BCs for UK diving

[purple vonny]

Originally Posted by WannabeMermaid

Thanks for that. I have looked at the Diva LX but unfortunately I think it is just out of my price range I haven't seen it anywhere for much short of £400 - the Diva XLT then seems to lack lots of the features of the LX. I guess maybe this is one case where e-bay could come into it's own as I might be able to get an older one.
I have also heard people concerned that the crossover front can get in the way of a drysuit inflate - do you think this is likely to be a problem?
I am going to have to find a way of trying a couple of things on I think.

My inflate valve isn't covered by the front of the jacket but you would have to try one on with yours. They do come up in the classified in the back of dive magazines (Dive has free classifed avery month) and you can sometimes find them on places like divernet (eeek - shouldn't mention them should I?)
second hand.

[purple vonny]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ladies-BCD-Sea...QQcmdZViewItem

Blimey there's one exactly like mine on Ebay and only £25 quid bid on it.

It's a small which is about a size 12

(sounds like I'm selling it but I'm not honestly, just thought I'd take a peek.

[CatB]

Thanks. I had spotted that one - I am keeping an eye on it! I wasn't sure whether to go for it because it was the older model but if it is one that people are still using it and happy with I might go for it. I'm never sure what the best policy is with e-bay, whether to bid early on or wait until the last possible moment to avoid putting the price up.

Just need to find somewhere I can try one on now!

and I have my eye on a set of regs, aqualung rather than apeks I have to admit but hopefully not a bad deal, will have to check out the apeks regs on e-bay too.

Thanks for all your help

[recurve]

Bid in the last few seconds with the absolute maximum you are prepared to pay

[Buoyant Babe]

Good luck with your bidding, and as the man says wait right til the last minute (make sure you've sorted out any necessary ebay registrations first). If you don't get that one I have a DIVA LX SL I'll be selling soon. PM sent.
Hxx

[trimix taz]

Originally Posted by daz

The aqualung regs are very similar to Apeks from what I have seen. They even use the same service kits.

Apeks are actually owned by Aqualung now so the similarities should not really be that much of a surprise.

Daz

the second stage looks the same from the service manual but the 1st stage if different .
yes the are part of the same group

[CatB]

Well, after a venture into my LDS (well, one of them at least) I am further convinced that I prefer the Aqualung regs to Apex in terms of appearance, they really are smaller and lighter second stages. I am also happy that I really only need the lower end of the range unless I plan to do much diving below about 40m (which I have neither the desire nor the qualifications for at the moment).

However, although this shop stocks aqualung and thus seaquest products they don't keep the Diva in stock as it is too expensive and difficult to shift so if I want them to get one in to try on I have to pretty much promise to buy it which I am not keen on. They had a go at convincing me of the merits of the seaquest pro QD which I have to admit I like the look of - any comments are welcome, but again they would have to order one in my size for me to try although they are happier to do that because it will be easier to sell than the Diva. Are there any ladies out there who dive a standard unisex/mens BC and are happy with it?

I am going to have a chat to another local dive shop tommorrow who are the shop that works with my club but they don't stock Aqualung so unless they can talk me back into Apeks I doubt I will buy there although they are known to be knowledgeable and helpful. They are likely to be a lot more helpful about the idea of a wing though - the first shop dismissed it as being for techies.

On top of everything, I can get the exact deal I have just looked at in the LDS online for £100 cheaper even after they have taken 10% off for me, I realise that they have all the expenses of a shop to run but I also know that their prices are £45 to £100 higher than other local shops for the same PADI courses which makes me a bit hesitant (or of course it could be a case of 'you get what you pay for'). But, if I now buy Aqualung regs online they will probably have to go to this shop for servicing because they are my only nearby dealer and I am also likely to run into them at the quarry. I might show them the deal I can get online and ask them not to match it but to meet me halfway or similar because I do appreciate the benefits of a local dealer.

Arghh, this whole kit shopping business seems to be fraught with issues, whatever I do now I seem to risk treading on somebodies toes. All the local dive shops train in the same place so I am going to be seen out and about and offend someone in one shop or another or possibly both

[purple vonny]

I think if you are at Chepstow in full kit with wet hair and snot you will probably not be recognised!!!!!!

It is very difficult choosing your first set of kit, like choosing a car without test driving it. I have no words of wisdom. Can only speak from experience. If push comes to shove and you make a mistake and buy something you don't like, you can always flog it and change it for something better.

What a dilemma eh?

[CatB]

Originally Posted by purple vonny

I think if you are at Chepstow in full kit with wet hair and snot you will probably not be recognised!!!!!!

That maybe true - I think they will probably just remember me as being very pink as I had cycled quite hard up a big hill to reach them! Being overheated is rarely a problem at Chepstow!

Thanks for all the help and advice from people on here though, getting kit is tricky because there is no way you could try dive in everything available - I'm going to have to jump in and take a risk - if all else fails there's always e-bay

[ardhill]

Originally Posted by WannabeMermaid

...I might show them the deal I can get online and ask them not to match it but to meet me halfway or similar because I do appreciate the benefits of a local dealer.

Nah... Seriously, print out the deal you can get online - remember to add the price of carriage to be fair and hand it over to the shop to see what they will do. Don't play your hand i.e. let them know that you are willing pay a bit more than that, but see what they will come up with. They may not be able to match it, but if they may well try to come as close as they can to get the sale.

That way, you are forcing them to to the best deal they can without letting they get away with ripping you off. Remember, most Internet shops are actually brick and mortar shops too, they just sell on the net as well. So, don't feel so sorry for the LDS - that's business today, and yes I am in business myself.

In the end, if you are willing to pay half way between the two, you may just get an even better deal if you don't tell them that first. You can get the Regs you want, and have more money left over to pay for the other kit you have just discovered that you really need whilst you have been shopping about

...the idea of a wing though - the first shop dismissed it as being for techies

Not so many years ago, if you had a Nitrox Cert, you were considered a Techie, now it's common place for recreational divers to have a Nitrox ticket. It's just a matter of opinion - and it's YOUR opinion that counts - buy what you decide will suit you best, whether it be a Wing or a Stab jacket.

All the best
.