Your thoughts

[nigelH]

The only one I'm not sure on is Apeks. They've been the staple of British diving since forever but they're going funny over the Nitrox threads issue and they may get to be more of a problem down the line.

I hope they'll sort it out but I wouldn't buy Apeks at the moment.

[Lou]

Yes, make sure you get G5/8 regs, not 'nitrox ready' M26 ones.

Again, don't know the BCD but the rest of it is good gear.

[alrhem]

The aquapro bcds if i remember are mainly for warm water....
only have something like 12kg buoyancy if i remember.

Regs are solid - but not my choice (im not an apex fan).

So it depends where you are diving.

As already saiid - suit and undersuit first... then the rest!!!

[Rod]

The aquapro bcds if i remember are mainly for warm water....
only have something like 12kg buoyancy if i remember.

I have the Aquapro 5R and that has 15Kg of lift and have never needed more lift than that with a 15L single cylinder and stage.

[alrhem]

I have the Aquapro 5R and that has 15Kg of lift and have never needed more lift than that with a 15L single cylinder and stage.

I stand corrected.
I only ever saw them in schools abroad.

Good luck with teh kit anyway!

[Swish_101]

Thanks for advice fellas, i'd be using most of the gear for UK diving and just taking regs and mask and fins abroad with me, there is another package
Buddy Commando BCD
Apeks XTX 40 Regulator
Apeks XTX40 Octopus
Twin Gauge
Apeks Regulator bag
this costing £600

only downside is the no computer but it has a buddy BCD so is it worth it for the extra £100?

Cheers

[frosty the snowman]

Thanks for advice fellas, i'd be using most of the gear for UK diving and just taking regs and mask and fins abroad with me, there is another package
Buddy Commando BCD
Apeks XTX 40 Regulator
Apeks XTX40 Octopus
Twin Gauge
Apeks Regulator bag
this costing £600

only downside is the no computer but it has a buddy BCD so is it worth it for the extra £100?

Cheers

Hmmm... well I think it's a much better BCD and you can pick up a really good computer like a suunto gecko for around £140 ish. If you can afford it I'd do it that way but that's down to my personal preference.

[yazzyfooty]

Personally I would stick to the first package. I stopped using a BCD and moved onto a wing very early and therefore didnt get the full use of a BCD and wasted lots of money on it. This may not be the case with you and you may stick with a BCD for all your diving then ignore my advise.

You need to check out prices of computers if you are to go the Buddy package which will then put you in total approximately £250 over your budget.

[Barbel]

Check out the deals at deepbluedive.com they have some excellent deals.

Doing your list but with XTX50's for £639. but lot better reputation.

Would also suggest a smb and reel and computer(gekko £157) are added the rest can wait.

[Big Kahuna]

Don't forget you'll need to allocate some cash to a good undersuit.
Fourth Element Xerotherm & Arctics are good. Seaskin also do MTM undersuite for about £100 IIRC.

Chris