Newbie needs help please!!!

[Crieagle]

Hi all first post so be gentle.

Qualified as open water in May in Cyprus. Plan to do Advanced in Nov in Goa. Plus 5 days diving.

Have a Oceanic semi dry 5m 3 piece and mask with vyper comp. Can someone have a look at my wish list to complete my gear and advise. I intend to dive the uk but only in summer at the mo. When happy with my expierence will hopefully advance to drysuit and winter. So I am looking at being able to use my gear home and abroad. So weight is an issue.

Seacsub pro 2000 BC new style with integrated weights
Apeks XTX 50 XTX 40 Oct with 3 console
Fins Mares Plana Avanti Quattro
Boots Oceanic
Beaver IMPERIAL RUCKSACK

I would welcome any advice. None of the above are set in stone. I have being using the Diver website to compile the list. I can afford the above but always happy to save money. Also do aI buy on line or in a shop as will need to try on the BC etc.

Thanks in advance

Ian

[Conor]

with BCs the best advice is to try differnt types before you buy. On here lots of people will advise you to dive a wing and most of them will reccomend a backplate. Try the different options and make your mind up.

Regs, don't spend too much early on, as long as they are cold water rated and from a decent make you won't go too far wrong...even if you want the best regs in a couple of years time the ones you buy now will still find a use....I still like my ATX40s

Fins are fins to me, if they feel right in the water for you then they are right for you......if possible try before you buy.

Buy the cheapest boots you can find...beaver normally or aqualung...they are all the same as long as they fit.

Rucksack....I wouldn't bother, all it does is advertise the bag contains thievable dive gear, get a decent strong bag. (I use a North face expedition bag)

Online prices can be better, but if you want to be active in a local club this needs to be balanced against the brownie points of buying from the lds, they may price match.

Consider other purchases, knife, SMB, reel, computer, gloves etc etc etc and then think about renting your kit for a little while or getting it from a club.

In short there is no right answer but the more questions you ask and the more gear you try and the more you learn about your diving preferences the less money you will waste....so take your time.

Enjoy the board

Conor

[Crieagle]

Cheers Conor for the quick Reply. Will Head to my local shop and seek some advice. Plan to become a member but wanted to get a little more experience before hand. Have gloves boots duly noted Bag sounds like quality advice.

When you travel abroad how much does your bag weigh. I am going to Goa for two weeks and I am worried about exceeding weight limits etc.

[Simon TW]

your list seems ok the regs and fins are great and will last a long time and can be used for home and abroad, maybe consider a twin console though and a wrist compass.

So far as a BC goes just get one thats comfortable and not too expensive.

Remember that when trying on fins they need to accomodate your boots so get them together and remember to get them big enough for your drysuit boots that you will eventually purchase.

I'm with Conor on the bags, get a plain one that say's "nothing worth nicking"

[Crieagle]

Thanks Simon. I think I will stick with the regs and go with your idea on wrist compass. I think i can buy a compass addition for my vytec. Well met re the dry suit boots would never have thought of that.

I am still concerned about weight restrictions any advice

A good weekend to you both.

Ian

[KeyLimePie]

Ian,

Lots of people put regs/comp in their hand luggage. I know this is now smaler than previously allowed, but still big enough to accommodate regs.

HTH

Dave

[smcmullan]

Depending on the water temperature and your tolerance to cold then you may be able to leave one or other of the semi-dry pieces at home. I'd very much doubt that you'd need both 5mm suits in those waters. Do bear in mind that you will be doing a 30m dive and there may be thermoclines however.

Get a good rugged holdall. Don't mind the branded stuff. I managed to get a non-brand bag for less than twenty quid down a local high street bag shop which had single piece webbing for straps that ran all the way under the bag and carry/haul loops at each end also with single piece webbing that ran the length of the bag. Bulletproof and its reasonably waterproof with some sort of PVC lining. Just the job.

Never mind the knife, SMB, reel, computer, gloves etc until you get back home and get set up for diving for next season.

Get a torch for your Goa trip. Do a night dive and even with the sun high in the sky and perfect viz its always fun to shine a beam into hidey-holes and see whats lurking and to bring out the colours of the critters at depth.

Have fun.

Stephen

P.S. Cut down on clothes - buy T-shirts and shorts out there and at least you can worry about excess weight on the return leg only

[smcmullan]

Oh and just get a contents guage. You don't need a console at all. Your computer will take care of depth and time and a wrist compass will do the job.

Have you actually bought the Vyper? - at this stage of your diving something as simple as a Uwatec dive timer would be perfect in conjunction with tables. Even when you go onto a full decompression computer later for more value from multilevel diving you'll always find the dive timer useful as a backup.

[Crieagle]

Thanks guys all good advice. Torch sounds like a good idea. Only intended to bring 5 mm and leave shortie. I can handle the cold on a 30m the way I drink air I won't be at 30 for long

Buying t-shirts sounds good goa is supposed to be very cheap.

Yes Stephen already have the vytec and gloves 3mm. Treated myself in Cyprus, got a good deal I think 185.00 GBP.

Ian

[Simon TW]

if your diving blue water you won't need a torch, save your money. If you do need one then hire one. if you feel that you have to buy one then get a simple small one that will do as a backup when yo start UK diving (thats when you need a torch)

With regard to luggage if you check with the airline and tell them that you ra certified diver you normally get extra luggage allowance. On top of that a waterproof coat with lots of pockets. I had 18kilo in one the last time I flew.