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Scuba Forum / Scuba Locations / December 2004Equipment advice
Hello all, I have a few questions hopefully you can help me with. My fiance' and I heading down to the Yucatan this August for our Honeymoon. Haven't picked a resort yet, or a dive shop for that matter, but that's another issue.. Anyway, For x-mas I'd like to get her a BC, regulator and octopus... basically everything but the tank. I know she'll need to size the BC and such, but do you all have any recommendations for online vendors or brands? Any I should stay away from? And how much I should spend for the whole thing. I'm currently looking at the MARES DRAGONFLY ARIA BC, fitted for women. We only dive once or twice a year, so top-of-the-line equipment doesn't seem necessary. TIA for the help. And if you have a resort in Playa Del Carmen that you like (esp one that includes diving) please let me know! Thanks, Tom >Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] >We only dive once or twice a year, so top-of-the-line equipment doesn't >seem necessary. Don't buy, rent. For the number of days you'll dive, it will take a long time to pay for the purchase. And, if you pick the right place, you can get some pretty good gear. Which will always be "new". >TIA for the help. And if you have a resort in Playa Del Carmen that >you like (esp one that includes diving) please let me know! Yeah, most of Cozumel (except Iberostar, ask me off line what my bitch is with them). >Thanks, >Tom  Signaturedillon "When the French are against it, you know we can't be far wrong." - Adm. Bobbie Ray Inman > I have a few questions hopefully you can help me with. My fiance' and > I heading down to the Yucatan this August for our Honeymoon. Haven't [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > We only dive once or twice a year, so top-of-the-line equipment doesn't > seem necessary. It's not a bad idea to rent until you know what you like, but it sounds like you're killing more than one bird with the same stone. You need a present and a BCD will do. Personally, I like a plate, wing and harness. I like my stainless Halcyon plate and recommend the Halcyon 27 lb wing (or whatever has replaced it) instead of my 18 lb lift wing (which I understand is no longer marketed).. There are other, equally good plates and, perhaps, equally good wings. For travel, I'd probably pick something else, the Dive Rite Trans Pack, for instance. The problem with most plates is that they are heavy and don't fold. Both are a problem for the traveling diver. The rear inflation BCDs have an advantage for you. They're pretty much one size fits all. Lee If you only dive once or twice a year then I'd recommend renting your gear. The only piece of equipment I would recommend that you consider purchasing, after buying your mask, fins & wet-suit, would be your dive computer, as not all places rent DC's and even more importantly, it's essential that you fully get used to setting up and understanding your computer, as you will then be able to glance at it during the dive and know exactly what it is saying. It is also a sensible move for both of you to have the same DC's so that if one of your computers fails or needs to look at the other divers computer then they will also understand the display and how to use it. The computer is also the easiest thing to pack and takes up a negligible space & weight compared to BC & regulator. If you rent gear then my advice is to always be the first at the dive centre so that you can choose the newer, better looked after kit rather than be left with what all the other divers passed over, and, if you are to dive with the same centre for several days or weeks then, once you are both happy with the rental gear, keep the same equipment for the entire period of diving. As far as BC's go, often the simpler designed ones are the easier to use and have less to go wrong. Always check a BC before using it, check the inflator to ensure it works and does not have any 'hissing' noise when the buttons not pressed and that when its fully inflated there are no leaks and that the stitching, material and all the buckles and clips are in good condition. Check the regulator for an 'easy breathe' at the surface and the SPG (pressure gauge) reads zero before turning the cylinder valve on and the correct pressure when pressurised. Ensure that the cylinder O ring is in good condition. If it looks worn, take it out and throw it away and ask for a new replacement. Don't let the DSM simply take it out, spit on it and turn it around. Also ensure there are no leaks from the regulator when in the water (a buddy check on each other just below surface before continuing is essential and the descent should only continue once both of you have given an OK). > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Thanks, > Tom It also depends on what you mean about once or twice a year. I dive like that, but it is a week at a time so it is worth it to me to have my own equipment. > It also depends on what you mean about once or twice a year. I dive > like that, but it is a week at a time so it is worth it to me to have my > own equipment. Eric, Even for one weeks diving a year I would hire most of the gear, although I would have my own dive computer and probably regulator. If you are considering diving more regularly, which could include the training and experience to build up for dives that involve low visibility, decompression or overhead environments (wreck or cave penetration) then owning, looking after and completely comprehending your own equipment becomes essential. IMNSHO, and this is not a dig at you or the many thousands who only dive once a year, (whether its for one day, one week or two), I would consider you a returning novice rather than an experience diver, primarily as you will do less dives in ten years compared to one year of consistent diving. The one weeks diving you do each year is what I would expect an experienced diver to do as a 'warm-up' week before embarking on a season of dives. Tony, I agree, basically. I've got a regulator, dive computer and BC that I take on my trips. I've also got a 3 mmm shortie that I bring in warm water. For diving off Delaware I've got a 7 mm. The Delaware boats usually offer just a ride, so if you want to dive there you have to own (or rent from somewhere else). The other factor in owning your equipment is the cost of ownership (and maintenance) versus rental. There is the safety of knowing your own equipment and the convenience of not having to carry it to your dive destination. I know that I don't get enough experience in to do technical diving. I could learn all about trimix, but without a more practice, I would not be safe. Eric >>It also depends on what you mean about once or twice a year. I dive >>like that, but it is a week at a time so it is worth it to me to have my [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > The one weeks diving you do each year is what I would expect an experienced > diver to do as a 'warm-up' week before embarking on a season of dives. > Tony, > I agree, basically. I've got a regulator, dive computer and BC that I [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Eric Sensible choice. Given the alternatives I would always prefer to (and do) own all my own gear, but that's a major investment, especially when you double the gear as my wife is my dive buddy! Before contemplating any 'technical' course it is wise to evaluate your own level of competence and experience. For example, unless you can happily perform a solo, mid-water, zero visibility deployment of a DSMB without rising or dropping more than .5m / 18" and are completely relaxed whilst doing decompression horizontally and swapping regulator, then don't even think about doing complex decompression diving with accelerated decompression, let alone tri-mix! The number or frequency of dives performed is not the sole condition that will determine proficiency, as if all those dives were in warm, clear water with minimal kit, such as one often finds with dive instructors in the warm water vacation locations, and compare that with a variety of conditions, including zero or limited visibility in cold water dry-suit diving than they don't equate. There is nothing stopping you developing into whatever type of diver you wish to be, as long as you approach it sensibly. Tony > Before contemplating any 'technical' course it is wise to evaluate your > own > level of competence and experience. For example, unless you can happily > perform a solo, mid-water, zero visibility deployment of a DSMB without > rising or dropping more than .5m / 18" . . . There seems to be a common presumption that decompression requires a line to the surface. While that certainly can make decompression easier, thousands of dives have been done safely without one. > IMNSHO, and this is not a dig at you or the many thousands who only dive > once a year, (whether its for one day, one week or two), I would consider > you a returning novice I'll bite just for the halibut! :-) My pal Jeff (owner of the Scuba-SE LISTSERV List) did 27 dives with me, in 6 days, in 1994. (I did 29 :-) that week). http://tinyurl.com/5x4wl If you add to that another week of liveaboard (one can easily do 25 non-novice dives in a week), that would be over 50 dives for the year, in two weeks' diving. Jeff hasn't done much more than that since, but nobody I know considers him a "returning novice". YMMV. But don't stereotype anyone. -- Bob. > > It also depends on what you mean about once or twice a year. I dive > > like that, but it is a week at a time so it is worth it to me to have my [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Even for one weeks diving a year I would hire most of the gear, although I > would have my own dive computer and probably regulator. You're also going to want to have your own mask/fins/snorkel that fits nicely, so that stuff plus computer & regulator means that the only dive gear that you need that you don't already own is BC and wetsuit/skin. You can spend more, but a basic, no-frills Jacket BC that's the equal of rental gear is <$250. Similarly, a basic off-the-rack warmwater wetsuit or skin is half that. Neither requires annual diveshop servicing. -hh > You're also going to want to have your own mask/fins/snorkel that fits > nicely . . . Yes you are. I also suggest one of the bags designed to hold all three. They're very handy if you're just going snorkeling and go into the dive bag as is if you're planning on diving. > . . . so that stuff plus computer & regulator means that the only dive > gear that you need that you don't already own is BC and wetsuit/skin. > You can spend more, but a basic, no-frills Jacket BC that's the equal of > rental gear is <$250. If you buy one being retired from a reliable dive shop's training equipment, you can get a good one a lot cheaper than that. Ask about store warranty. > Similarly, a basic off-the-rack warmwater wetsuit > or skin is half that. Neither requires annual diveshop servicing. Divers Direct has skins a lot less than half of that. My last two have cost me about $30 each. My 3mm wetsuit, which is approaching it's useful age, cost about the same back when Hermann's Sporting Goods was going out of business. Lee >Anyway, For x-mas I'd like to get her a BC, regulator and octopus... > >We only dive once or twice a year, so top-of-the-line equipment doesn't >seem necessary. If you only dive once or twice a year, I suggest you rent. The cost or anual maintenance is not justified if you don't dive more often than that. Note that you can rent at home and take your rented gear with you, if you wish. This often allows you to have beter gear than what is rented at many resort areas. Renting will also give you the chance to try different equipment under actual dive conditions. This is the ONLY way _you_ can learn what equipment _you_ like. If at all possible, rent and try a backplate/wing BC. They can be harder to find for renting, but most people who learned using jacket style BCs and then tried a backplate/wing have ended up spending additional money to replace ther jacket BCs with backplate/wings. There is much debate about backplate/wings, but the reality remains: Nearly all who try them like them. Lee mentioned the Halcyon brand, which my wife and I have also. In my opinion Halcyon is overpriced. At the time we bought, Halcyon had a clearly better design, but more recently DiveRite is offering designs that are at least as good as Halcyon, and at consideratbly better prices. There are other backplate/wing brands too. You can see HALCYON gear and find dealers at: http://www.halcyon.net/ DiveRite gear can be seen and purchased at: http://www.diveriteexpress.com/ SignatureCharlie Hammond -- Hewlett-Packard Company -- Ft Lauderdale FL USA (hammond@not@peek.ssr.hp.com -- remove "@not" when replying) All opinions expressed are my own and not necessarily my employer's. Do you mean August 2005? Here is an amazing honeymoon itinerary I would recommend to anyone: go to Cozumel, stay at the Hacienda San Miguel (a lovely inn/hacienda, excellent staff, A*****) and dive with DEEP BLUE (imho, the best dive shop on the island, and there were indeed many to choose from.) The hacienda was so beautiful; people from nearby resorts would peek in the gates and admire the grounds, not realizing they were probably paying twice as much as the hacienda guests. http://www.haciendasanmiguel.com/ My wife and I did morning & afternoon dives every day for two weeks straight. The staff at Deep Blue were AWESOME, putting together amazing dives for us every day. http://www.deepbluecozumel.com/ Also on the same trip we went diving in the cenotes (freshwater caves) on the mainland. Even though it was through another company, Deep Blue set it all up and it was the highlight of our trip. Cozumel also has a great night life and a very tourist-friendly atmosphere. Most restaurants and shops have English-fluent staff, though it is polite to at least bring a phrase book and *try* to speak a little Spanish I hope you have a great time! Ian Ring from http://www.thescubaguide.com Hi - As a recipiant of this same gift from my husband last Christmas, I have to tell you that I am delighted with my low profile, light weight and (I hope) low cost scout zeagle bc. I wear a small bc and I think this is something you might want to consider for your wife. I don't know her size - I'm not really small but sort of average at 5'6" and a size 6. Frequently, when we rented it was difficult to find a bc that fit me comfortably. Dive shops seem to stock men's equipment in a greater range than women's equipment. So you really have to be aware of what is available to rent. If you do decide to rent, you might be better off renting from your local shop. But then you don't get to enjoy the benefits of renting because you have to lug your gear anyway. Even if you only dive a few times a year, I think its worth it to have your own stuff. Besides, do you really want to put on a wet suit that otehr people have used? Due to lost luggage on Air J., I've had blisters on my feet from rented fins, leaky masks, etc... Buy your honey some good equipment, happy wedding day and best of luck! Snowfish > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Thanks, > Tom Just returned from a week each in PDC and Cozumel. There are a number of dive operators in Playa, but most of them take folks to Cozumel (30 minute boat ride in a fast boat) or they dive in the cenotes (springs) close by. You can rent BCs, weights, tanks, and the like easily but they might not have comfortable dive skins/wet suits, mask, snorkle to fit you. You can take a dive computer, but it is not essential and they rent them for about $10. I used a 3 mil wetsuit (shorty with full length sleves) and was fine, but I am a big guy. We had others diving with everything from 1 mil skins to 5 mil full wet suits and nobody complained much. Water temp was 78 to 82 degrees depending on day and location. Have a great time. > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > Thanks, > Tom |
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