Advice on Regs and BCs for UK diving

[JonR400]

Originally Posted by WannabeMermaid

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')
(

The whole question of whether to buy online or use your local shops is one that goes for many purchases, not just dive gear, and I think it comes down to personal choice.

My take is, if I decided from some online research what sort of regulators I wanted to buy, I'd just buy them online from someone who has a decent reputation. My thoughts are, for most recreational divers many (most) of today's regulators will do the job for dives much deeper than you need, so buy the one you want based on looks/image/service costs and whatever else is important to you.

If I was to buy a BC, which I'd need to try on for sizing, general fit, whether it's suitable for my drysuit etc. then I wouldn't take up lots of the dive shop's time and go and buy it online afterwards. Just my take on it.

I'd say, be fair with your local dive shop. Be honest that you won't buy all of your kit from them, they need to earn your custom. But give them every opportunity to do so. And if they aren't prepared to earn your business, then find a dive shop who will.

Buying the right kit first time is a log cheaper than buying 'cheap' kit twice, so weigh it up. Just my thoughts, as a new diver who's bought loads of kit recently.

[Rookie]

Don't pay any attention to wings being too 'techie'. The missus and I both just qualified, both tried wings, and both then bought em (Buddy Tekwing, £155 online!). I'd say give a wing a go, if you can borrow 1, then give it a go in a pool, of sheltered water. I find they make life easier, more comfortable, and make diving more enjoyable. If you are not a 'standard' shape (my wife is short, but broad shouldered), then they are generally more adaptable, so will fit better. Not everyone likes them, but you wont know unless you try.

Rookie

[Simon Payne]

Where ever you decide to buy your regs from i can definately recommend the Aqualung Legend Supreme LX.

I have had a set for around 12months now... they are a really light breathe.. i used the Apex ATX40s before that and the aqualungs are much nicer.

[Neill]

go and look here

http://www.scubastore.com/shop.asp?mode=4&id=381&id_modelo=463&desde=1&id_fa milia=11&id_subfamilia=381&fromhbx=categoria

£150 bargain

[CatB]

Well I talked to my second local dive shop today who were incredibly helpful and not at all pushy. He didn't even laugh when I said I didn't want Apeks because it looked the same as the club kit!

I am going to borrow a friends wing to try in the pool I think before I make a decision but if I do go for a wing this dive shop can custom build one for me (for less than the price of most BCs). If not I think I will be looking for a second hand BC, that way if I decide I do want to upgrade I won't lose much when selling it on.

I am also now even further confused about regs though - I had decided to go for the Aqualung and was deciding whether to buy it online or not but this dive shop stocks Scubapro (which I hadn't really considered) and Sherwood as well as the obligatory Apeks. I was very taken with the tiny second stage on the Sherwood and it seems to have decent reviews - any comments on it folks?

The Sherwood is more unusual because there is only one importer to the UK so it doesn't matter where I get it, it will be fairly expensive but at least that eliminates the problem of shop vs online prices!

Ah well, at least I'm having fun spending hours trying to sort this tangle out! Thanks so much for all the help folks - you are being very patient with me

[CatB]

Well, I thought I'd let you know the outcome so far.

I bought a second hand BCD (Seaquest Diva LX, fits beautifully and should have plenty of lift for what I'm doing at the moment) and will wait to get a wing when I really need one (i.e. when I've spent enough time on YD, sorry I mean done enough diving, to decide I need twins or at least a pony on my cylinder and therefore a bit more lift).

I went for the aqualung regs in the end. I had just fallen in love with them and they are highly recommended by a friend in my club who has them. I bought them online in the end (Kent diving - v. good price and helpful as long as you phone rather than e-mailing). I am feeling rather guilty at not buying either item from my local dive shop but to be fair they don't stock either.

I am going to go into my LDS next week (bite the bullet and confess to having bought the aqualung regs if I have to) and get myself a new reel (my current one is ridiculous, I should never have bought it - anyone want a very small reel prone to tangling as you reel it in??).

I am going to put all my regs together now (assuming I finally have the right size spanner - why oh why is it the one missing from most standard sets?) then test them out in the pool on Monday during my Sports Diver training. If all goes well then the first dive of the season will be with my new kit from Plymouth next weekend

Thanks so much for all your help. I'm sorry for ignoring all the reccomendations of Apeks regs - personal predjudice on my part I guess! I'll let you know how it goes.

[Woz]

If you are looking for a reel then I would look at the Lumb Bros one- like a mini-mcmahon but cheap as chips. Not as nice as an NAS reel but still pretty good. There are alot af appalling reels out there.

[CatB]

Thanks, I think I spotted that in one of the dive magazine reviews but I haven't seen it anywhere to buy, I'll have a look around.

The reel I have at the moment is a Beaver one, the reel doesn't seem to be quite big enough for the amount of line on it and there is a gap down the side of the reel just large enough for the line to slide into and tangle round the spindle! I have to unwind it and re-wind it on the boat between each dive so it doesn't jam - I guess it might live on as a back-up in my BC pocket as it's pretty small.

[onthetrain]

Originally Posted by WannabeMermaid

Thanks, I think I spotted that in one of the dive magazine reviews but I haven't seen it anywhere to buy, I'll have a look around.

The reel I have at the moment is a Beaver one, the reel doesn't seem to be quite big enough for the amount of line on it and there is a gap down the side of the reel just large enough for the line to slide into and tangle round the spindle! I have to unwind it and re-wind it on the boat between each dive so it doesn't jam - I guess it might live on as a back-up in my BC pocket as it's pretty small.

Denny diving have a special offer on the lumb brothers reel at the mo. £29.95 including an SMB. Bargain

[Woz]

Originally Posted by WannabeMermaid

Thanks, I think I spotted that in one of the dive magazine reviews but I haven't seen it anywhere to buy, I'll have a look around.

The reel I have at the moment is a Beaver one, the reel doesn't seem to be quite big enough for the amount of line on it and there is a gap down the side of the reel just large enough for the line to slide into and tangle round the spindle! I have to unwind it and re-wind it on the boat between each dive so it doesn't jam - I guess it might live on as a back-up in my BC pocket as it's pretty small.

Put the Beaver one on eBay and buy a spool. Small, can't jam and is ridiculously easy to deploy. PITA to wind in, though. I hope you like slow ascents. But as a backup- spot on.

If I was getting a new reel and backup, I'd buy an NAS to fire the blob, a spool as a backup and as for SMB's you cant go wrong with an AP Auto blob. They are dead easy to use and worth every penny. My backup is an Advanced Diving Products '33 which rolls up much smaller than an AP or LB one, ideal for stowage. In fact, if you have a Buddy stab with one of those fabric tunnel things on the back for the Suicide Bottle, it fits perfectly in there.

Oh and a quick hint- when you get the spool or reel, cut off the first 5m as they always over pack them.