Virgin needs advice

[Sparky750]

Hello all I've recently started dive training (read up and down pool with mask and snorkel) with my local SAA club and a member who cannot dive anymore due to wife rules is selling his kit this includes
Apeks TX50 reg with TX40 octo and northern diver console
Read a few things about these so they seem quite good
Buddy Commando STAB L Cyliner needs service
Now i have a 47" chest will large fit? He's on holiday at mo so can't try it.
Suutno Favor puter
Must be an old model? not read much about these better than a kick in the teeth though
Old northern diver drysuit
not up to much apparently but should get me through training
Transporter Dive bag
Wouldn't know one if i fell over it
Weight belt with 28lb of lead
That bit i do know
12L cylinder in test
Fins, Mask, Knife, Boat bags, Reel, SMB and gloves
OK so reel i'm guessing is like a fishing reel thingy? and SMB means some more beer i hope
all for £450 is that a good price seems so to me but as the title said i'm a virgin
Also any thoughts on the above kit and it's suitability for me would be greatly appreciated

[Lou]

Well, first things first.....

the Buddy Commando sizes can be found here

It looks like you would be right at the top end for a large - best to try before you buy - including a drysuit and undersuit on of course!

[Sparky750]

Cheers i spent a while looking for a size chart to no avail.

[triplefin]

Originally Posted by Sparky750

a member who cannot dive anymore due to wife rules

maybe he ought to think about getting rid of the wife rather than the kit!

As Lou said try it all on and see if it fits, dont get talked into anything if your not happy. Its a lot of money to shell out and people usually accumulate kit bit by bit, although a new dry suit on its own could set you back that amount.

[Fiona]

My thoughts

First you will need the regs serviced (I know I would) which will add at least £60 to the cost.

Transporter dive bag, probably a wheeled travel bag of some sort, not really needed but if was free then OK.

You have mask and fins and those probably won't fit anyway.

12 ltr, in test - Good

Buddy Commando, IF it fits then it will do the job and see you through your training and a bit beyound with no problems, ditch the emergency cylinder

Suunto favor, don't know about these is it just a basic deco computer.

Weights - good there is about £50 worth there.

SMB and reel - put away for a bit further down in your training but you will need one, depending on which one it is. Crappy scubapro one - bin it

Drysuit again IF it fits and doesn't leak then will be OK. BUT if the seals need replacing or the neck seal doesn't fit then don't bother.

Oh and try it on with your instructor or Dive supervisor present they will give you and impartial view.

[Simon TW]

Tip

I think that you would get a much better deal if you talked to his wife,

[gwilson]

From my limited experance i would definatley try dry suit on and dive with it before buying, I brought a 2nd hand trilaminte (cant spell) suit froma mate that seemed to fit, so went and booked a dry suit course (learnt to dive in hot water just tshirt and shorts when worked in middle east) did pool drills was ok, however when i got in the sea i spent most of my time inverted which was not ideal, however i now have no worries about recovering from an inverted ascent. I then got a northern diver dive master suit for just over 120 quid which fits like a dream and doesnt even feel like im wearing one, guess was just lucky.

But before parting with hard earnt cash just try it out a bargain aint always what it seems.

[RogerViking]

realy take it all if it dosent fit sell it on ebay or somebody else in the club later on thats for nothing....some stuff might need a service regs every year in my book or after 50 dives but get another member to check it out for u...Rog

[Scuttler]

Originally Posted by Fiona

Drysuit again IF it fits and doesn't leak then will be OK. BUT if the seals need replacing or the neck seal doesn't fit then don't bother.

Wouldn't totally agree with this. If both wrist and neck seals are shot you'll only end up forking out £40 for them to be replaced and provided you look after it the suit should last a fair while. I've had my second hand Hydrotech Evolution for 6 years now .....but if the zip is on it's way then you could be looking at £140 for a replacement.

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Scuttler

Wouldn't totally agree with this. If both wrist and neck seals are shot you'll only end up forking out £40 for them to be replaced and provided you look after it the suit should last a fair while.

Sorry but a new neck and wrists seals will be more like £60 - £80 not £40 and I was looking at the package as a whole not the individual item.

There is stuff there he doesn't need and I don't agree with Roger I wouldn't dive with a second hand reg without getting it serviced so there is possibly alot of additional expenditure here.