Is It Too Cheesy To Get All One-Brand Gear?

[Phaedrus]

IF I was to buy my entire set-up in one go (lotto win, bank loan - whatever), would it be unacceptably cheesy and ridicule-inviting to buy it all or most of it from one brand?

There are brands out there that seem to have recommendedations for all types of products.

I stress first that I fully realise that the importance of the aesthetics of the gear is less than that of its functionality & reliability. I'd sooner dive in mis-matched, rainbow-coloured, functional & reliable gear than perfectly coordinated useless or dangerous gear.

Personally, I like black, grey and blue, so looking through mags & websites, if a product gets a good review/recommendation, and is available in black/blue/grey, then waheyy for me!

I currently have Tusa fins and mask - both fluoro yellow, which I don't like. I guess I did in 1994 when I bought them. I have a 5mm Alder wetsuit (black/blue ), which I actually got for windsurfing, but rarely do that now, so it's for all my water-based fun.

So for example, I found Cressi's site yesterday and am attracted to their Lontra wetsuit, Reaction fins, Penta mask, Delta II snorkel, and either Aero Pro or Aero Light BC.

Not really pushed on the regs coming from Cressi - from reviews I've read, the Oceanic Alpha 8 SP5 is one of the best value regs out there.

If I was to arrive on a dive trip and whipped out this gear, would I deserve to be ridiculed, or is it accepted that some people like coordinated gear?

Or are you considered to be a more authentic diver if you have un-coordinated gear from different brands? Kind of like giving off an air of "I care more about the actual diving than how I look when I dive".

Sorry if this is a gimpy question, and I mean no offence to anyone - either coordinated folk or mix & match guys.

Mark

[MATTBIN]

Go for the colour co-ordinated outfit, blokes only know 4 colours anyway. If you seek true enlightenment ask Howard (Diving Dude) he colour matches all of his gear.

Matt
(Oceanic regs are very good, I have used them for 7 years - no problems so far)

[Tim Ingmire]

Well, yes it is chessy and highly ridicule-inviting.

But then, given the kind of atmosphere on most dive boats I've been on - almost anything is ridicule-inviting!

Go for it - people may not notice the other aspects of your diving if you are so attired! Course, you'll look like the only Italian on the boat which you'll have to get used to.

[SoggyFox]

Originally Posted by MATTBIN

If you seek true enlightenment ask Howard (Diving Dude) he colour matches all of his gear.

yes i believe he matches it with childrens wrapping paper.

[nickb]

I think it's highly unlikely that one company's products would be the ideal solution for ALL of your diving needs. For instance a mask is something that you need to arrive at by trying many different brands first.

But, more importantly, YES it would be very cheesy; you'd embarrass yourself every time you went diving

[Adrian Kelland]

I prefer kit that does a good job rather than who it is made by. While regs made by one company may be great, it does not mean they make a great drysuit. It may not make finacial sense either. For me it is not about authenticity of any kind. Most of this kit is for life support in one way or another - which is more important for you?

Next you'll be asking if it all has to be black?

Adrian

[Sixsquid]

Yes !

and what Nickb and Ardhill said

[Rob Dobson]

As others have said go for the kit that serves your needs best. In the real world no one company makes the best of everything so if anyone (i.e your LDS) is pushing one brand then they have their own agenda and are probably doing you no favours.

Try different kit and talk to lots of people before you drop your pants at your local dive shop or get carried away with the credit card online.

[David D]

Originally Posted by Phaedrus

IF I was to buy my entire set-up in one go (lotto win, bank loan - whatever), would it be unacceptably cheesy and ridicule-inviting to buy it all or most of it from one brand?

'Fraid so.

All my kit has been chosen by careful research and expert advice, and no two items (other than regs) come from the same manufacturer. This is because, as already mentioned, no manufacturer has gotten it right in every thing they make.

Yet I look awesome, both above and below the water. At least I think I do.

[Tim Ingmire]

You know I have to disagree with a number of posts above.

Now, this maybe an assumption but the way I read the question, this isn't stuff for deeper technical diving - this day to day single tank stuff which millions of people do everyday around the world.

I think you could get everything from one brand and I'm going to name one - Mares. I'm happy for somebody to prove me wrong but I'd like somebody to tell what gear they make that would not be fit for purpose (HUB excluded). In my view they make perfectly good BCD's, Regs, Wet suits etc.

Tim