Nooibe kit buying.

[Usurper]

After completing my open water and advanced, im now totally hooked and even though ive only done 12 dives, im thinking i should buy my own gear, i take it id reclaim the outlay compared to hiring pretty quick.
anyway i live on Anglesey north wales and have a 5mm wetsuit already, ill probably only dive in summer mths here and hopefully wherever i go on holiday.
i have tried to read through the forum but its pretty bewildering.

most people recommend scubapro and some packages look ok, and fairly cheap, but im worried about cheap being not reliable etc.

i did find the "Cressi Elipse Ti 116" package and it looked nice ( looks are the only thing i have to go on )

should i be looking at a package? or should i go for seperates, i dont want to risk safety by buying cheap goods, but again cant see me having much to spend over 500-600.should i keep saving or is that price range going to get me a reliable bit of kit?.

i am aware i should probably go try the bcd im looking at on for sizing.

thankyou for anyhelp you can push my way.

[Fiona]

Where abouts on Anglesey are you.

Martin and Caroline Sampson are in Holyhead, you could pop in there and see what they can do for you.

They might even have some ex "schools" kit for sale at a reasonable price.

[Usurper]

Thanks Fiona

We are about 13 miles from Holyhead. just unsure about buyin 2nd hand gear, dont want to put my wife or i in any peril.

still like opinions on packages or seperates if possible.

i did my last dive last sunday and have been home since tuesday, BUT i still havent stopped smiling hehe.my wife says i look stupid sitting here smiling to myself

[Ian@1904]

Originally Posted by Usurper

We are about 13 miles from Holyhead. just unsure about buyin 2nd hand gear, dont want to put my wife or i in any peril.

Second hand gear can be fine if serviced. Visit M&C's shop and ask to see the workshop at the rear. Martin services regs etc
They will also advise on courses and maybe a drysuit.

[chrisch]

Cheap is not nececcarily unreliable. Nor indeed secondhand. Modern scuba kit is pretty good stuff. However, buying secondhand is perhaps better left for when you have a little experience/confidence.

Scubapro is good stuff, as is Apeks. The cheaper range from either of them will give very good service.

I have just bought the new Scubapro Mk11 (€220) and its very good so far. The Mk2 is cheaper still and a very good reg and very very reliable as it hasn't much on it to go wrong. (Which is why its cheap of course)

DIN avoids O ring problems and would be my prefered choice over yoke fitting.

Most problems with regulator stem from poor servicing - save your worries for getting that right - there are plenty of people on here that will help you find a good shop.

Chris

[edit] looks like the recommendation from Fiona is the one to go for as Ian says their servicing is good too... [/edit]

[Usurper]

Thanks, ill try pop in when im next in work ( i work in Holyhead )

i take it i should not be looking at this then?

Diving Direct

just to get some idea of what im aiming at hehe.

[chrisch]

Titanium is a marketing ploy to add profitability to the manufacturer. It contributes nothing to the regulator's performance and is generally agreed to be unsuited to high oxygen environments - therefore it is not striclty compatible with nitrox.

Whether the deal is a good or a bad one I would avoid regulators made from this material. Likewise "lightweight" regs where the 1st stage is light alloy. Chrome brass has stood the test of time...

Also bear in mind if you want to sell the kit at some point that the brands that get recommended time and time again by everyone (like Apeks) are the ones that get the most money secondhand...

Chris

[salty_seadog]

I am using the Cressi Elipse Ti kit from Denny Diving (Ti reg, octopus, gauge and reg. bag) I really like this reg though I had to replace the mouth piece with a stronger one.

• Its low profile means it doesn't pull on your teeth whilst in the water.

• It is VERY easy to breath on, I hardly have to suck much at all.

• I have dived with it in cold water (Stoney Cove at 5degrees)and have not had a freeflow.

I would recommend this reg as it has provided me with many good dives, without fault or problem. I wouldn;t worry too much about selling for second hand, you'll wnt to keep them until they break.

[Usurper]

Thanks for both opinions of them, ill look at the APEKS stuff and see what deals i can find, then i can compare with scubapro/cressi/ and ldc and hopefully make a good decision.

anyone has any other ideas/kit please feel free to pm or post, more info the better imo.

[Scuttler]

EDIT: Deleted post cos I'm a knob and didn't read the advert properly. Aren't Fridays great!