Ok so looking at buying my first set of kit

[ODDY105]

Ok so looking at buying my first set of kit for wifeee and me, we have already got goggles, fins, snorks and a gekko.
So we are looking at BCD, Regs, Dry suit and a 5mm wet.
I am looking for a list of thing to consider when buying, we are looking to dive once a month both UK and wormer climates. Mid budget stuff and more likely a membrane dry suit.

For instance:
Do you need integral weight systems in your BCD, as far as I can see they add weight to the BCD (I know you do not travel with them in) i.e. the fastenings and construction material. Weight belts are included in most packages when on hols so the integral weights systems just add weight to the BCD and cost when flying.

[Naomi S]

Can opened, worms everywhere!

First you'll want to swap them goggles (which are for swimming) for a mask (which has a nose bit and is for diving).

Ok I'm finished being a nob now. I would have a look at a Seaskin Nova for a good value membrane suit. I havent got mine yet but they look good.

There will be hundred different views as to what the 'best' kit to get is but it boils down to personal preference at the end of the day, which doesn't help much I know.

Best thing is try lots of things and see what you like. There are loads of people on here who will lend you stuff to try out I am sure.

Good luck with whatever you go for

[steveharriss]

I'd wait and see if you're wanting to do most of your diving here or abroad. Hire a dry suit and check that you are happy in it as spending that amount on something you intend to use at most 12 times a year is not making it an economic purchase. A wet suit heavy duty enough for UK diving in Summer/Winter will likely be too much for most trips abroad.

I'd stick with a weight harness myself which will do here and the UK and save the money you'd spend on weight integrated BCD's.

Your own mask, fins, weight harness, bcd, and regs would be the most important purchases for me, holding off on the dry suit or wet suit until you decide which way you're going with your diving.

[ODDY105]

Its not so much what make of kit to buy but what points to consider?

[Digger]

Its not so much what make of kit to buy but what points to consider?

Don't be the guinea pig for new gear that no-one has heard of or used, and don't trust a single word that anyone in a dive shop says. Sorry to say it, but it's easier to make this generalisation than to get stung by some of the cowboys out there.

What you need to do is decide what you need. If you are going to do a fair bit of diving in the UK, a drysuit is fairly mandatory, especially in the winter months or for longer dives.

You can rent most stuff, but if you want to buy, you need to think about whether you're going to splash out on everything, and if you are, we can then start making reccomendations based on what you are planning. Entire threads on the board will go on for 20 pages discussing whether one model of Apeks regulator is any better than another, so the more specific you can be, the better the advice you'll get.

In your position I would work on sorting a suit fairly soon, as the rest can be easily rented and doesn't need to be an exact fit. A badly fitting suit is a real pain. Look around at secondhand, a good secondhand suit can be had for £150-£200 fairly easily, and you won't lose much if anything if you decide (as many do) in 12-18 months that diving isn't for you, or you don't get as much time to get in the water as planned.

On the integrated weights question, I wouldn't bother. Go with a normal BCD or wing setup, and avoid lots of complex and heavy integrated systems, they're not much use when you can use a weightbelt or harness and move your weight around as you need to.

Digs.

[Pasty Man Stan]

As long as everything's got a big blue "H" on it, you'll be fine!!

On a more useful note, can you get anywhere that hires kit out? Dive as many diferent bits and pieces as you can and see what you like best. Be honest about where you see your diving going so that you don't get stuff that you'll be looking to replace in a years' time. You may find that the bug bites and you end up doing a lot more than you're planning on.

Stan.

[Hellenic Diver]

is now the place to mention ponys?.......

time for a sharp exit!

[Hellenic Diver]

As long as everything's got a big blue "H" on it, you'll be fine!!

On a more useful note, can you get anywhere that hires kit out? Dive as many diferent bits and pieces as you can and see what you like best. Be honest about where you see your diving going so that you don't get stuff that you'll be looking to replace in a years' time. You may find that the bug bites and you end up doing a lot more than you're planning on.

Stan.

what he said

[outlaw13]

Where practical buy the same kit as each other. That way you have kit to swap over if things break or get lost i.e. integrated weight pockets, 2nd stages etc. It also helps if you are diving as a regular buddy pair.

[Tilesey]

For instance:
Do you need integral weight systems in your BCD, as far as I can see they add weight to the BCD (I know you do not travel with them in) i.e. the fastenings and construction material. Weight belts are included in most packages when on hols so the integral weights systems just add weight to the BCD and cost when flying.

With integrated weights, the best thing you can do is not focus on them. As people have already said; try out different BCD's (which you will when renting kit) and find one that works for you. If that one comes with integrated, then fine. Personally I love integrated weights as I found a weight belt was too much faff, moved about and was uncomfortable - but each to their own.

The weight of two pouches for them is minimal, so wouldn't even bother giving cost when flying a second thought.

Good luck.