Getting close to opening my wallet

[Sparky750]

Ok i spent yesterday mooching around on tinternet and at a couple of local shops. At the shops i was up front and said i was new to diving and i was trying to get a feel for different kit. (secondhand deal fell through) One dive shop imperticular spent a good hour with me showing me different brands explaining pro's and cons of everything from BCD's to regs and everything in between. Anyway reading reviews in mags listening to advice from shops etc the list i've decided on is
Regs XTX 200 read recent test and seem mutts nuts (expensive but i dont expect to buying anymore for years) With XTX octo and 3 gauge console £439 from DW.
BCD SeaQuest Pro QD LDS said he uses one personally and they are pretty good and felt comfortable when i tried one on £320 from LDS using buddy at the mo in pool training but i dislike the suicide bottle.
Dry suit i'm completely open about really The cordura oceanic one i looked at yesterday felt bomb proof (i'm not exactly gentle) and i want a drysuit that will last me for ever with no problems (ok very few problems) that was about £700 i think in LDS. Is Neoprene as tough? i know it's warmer
Thats what i've found so far just by reading reviews etc. I would appreciate any advice from you more experienced folk (lay on bottom of bath meets that criteria) On the kit and the prices where possible i'd definitely give the Lds that was so helpfull the chance to match or come close to prices. Also i doubt i'd still be still classed as male if i came home with that lot in one go when my girlfriend got hold of me So whats best to buy first. Is it ok to name the LDS on here that was so helpful?

Finally sorry for the long post and babbling on but it's exciting to buy new shiny stuff but i don't want to end up with crap that will only last a year or so.

[Woz]

Divers Warehouse membrane about £600 for a cracking suit.
Would not bother with the XTX200- the 50 will do everything you want to do and more.

[aquayle]

I own similar, the Only problem with the Seaquest is the size - I have a medium so it fits my wet suit, but it won't fit over the dry suit. You can get a cumberband extender, but its still tight round the shoulders. If you get a bigger one - it probably won't fit either wet or dry.
Otherwise its brilliant for warm water diving with a wet suit & quite light for luggage allowance.

3 guage Cosole - they are heavy buggers even in the water!
Regs - go with what you feel is right. I have 2 lots of the ATX200s - brill. I know the 50s or 100s will do the same, but ... shiny

HTH - ANdy

[Simon A]

Originally Posted by Woz

Divers Warehouse membrane about £600 for a cracking suit.
Would not bother with the XTX200- the 50 will do everything you want to do and more.

I'd second that opinion, I cant tell the difference between the Apeks 50 and 200.
The shop will tell you that it's a replaceable valve seat on the 200 1st stage. Where as on the 1st stage of the 50 you need to replace the body if the valve seat wears out. what they dont tell you is the body is only £26! (+ servicing costs, but you'd have to pay them to get a valve seat replaced as well)
In fact I bought a 50/40 combo when I started diving and with hindsight I could have quite hapily just bought a 40/40 combo.

The other top tip is to actualy go up to DW and talk to them, they may have a suit on the rack (either second hand or a cancelled order, or one that someone else miss measured) that fits you perfectly and you'll save a load on it.
HTH
Simon A

[KeyLimePie]

There's no difference between the 50 and 200 second stages. The 200 first stage may give you slightly better hose routing than than the first stage for the xtx50, but whether it's worth the additional dosh is open to question.

Buddy jackets are solid and will last you a long long time (their customer service is pretty legendary too), and you don't have to use the suicide bottle. But I would suggest you go with what feels most comfortable.

The other thing is to keep an open mind as you may find yourself changing some of this gear 12 months on from now.

Dave

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by KeyLimePie

....
The other thing is to keep an open mind as you may find yourself changing some of this gear 12 months on from now.
..

A tenner says that this is an accurate prediction. 90% of new divers replace their first kit purchases before its worn out.

BCs are somewhat personal preference, so what suits your LDS owner might not suit you. Start with a basic (cheap) one IMO.

Apeks DS4/40 is a good start, the XTX is nice but why? Get a DIN one though whatever.

Chris

[EdHornby]

The XTX doesn't have 1/2in LP ports for the primary 2nd stage and also you can left hand rig the 2nd stages if you desire
the XTX 40 rigs I think still used the DS4 first stage (could be wrong on this), I'd second the XTX40 with a DIN fitting

have a look on the ads here for second hand BC's, there's no point lashing out huge amounts on one as they are only a glorified tank holder

[Sparky750]

Cheers guys the only thing that drew me to the XTX 200 was it's shiny and a good review i read about it in diver i think. The LDS recommended the 50 too saying it wasn't worth the extra but its the 200 is so shiny and pretty The thing is i don't want to change my kit in a year and want to buy it once then just enjoy my diving for a couple of years the seaquest BCD seemed really comfy when i tried it in the shop but the guy said i could try his when i organise the PADI course my friends and i are doing so i'll know better then. The shop was Wirral sports and leisure by the way really helpful and no pressure in fact quite the opposite telling me to try kit that members of my club use before buying

[Debs]

Originally Posted by chrisch

A tenner says that this is an accurate prediction. 90% of new divers replace their first kit purchases before its worn out.

BCs are somewhat personal preference, so what suits your LDS owner might not suit you. Start with a basic (cheap) one IMO.

How true - I started diving in 2002 and got my kit from the Birmingham dive show after doing just 3 sea dives. So now I'm looking to replace my Buddy Ranger for a new BCD which I don't have to dislocate my shoulder with to get it on when I dive in my drysuit and I'm also thinking about getting a gas switchable computer.

Also get used to partners sarcastic comments when the credit card bill comes in

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by Debs

.. got my kit from the Birmingham dive show after doing just 3 sea dives. ..

Half the income for the dive industry comes in this way. A friend of mine always wanted to take up diving but "it was too expensive". When the vocational qualifications scam thing was running I suggested it would never be cheaper to learn.

Within a week of getting his OW he had bought Zeagle wings and a Shogun to cart them round in... tosser... The 100 quid saved on the course didn't last long.

Chris