What is the best Scuba equipment you can buy?

Question

I am new to SCUBA, and I have come into contact with an experienced diver who has offered to buy me any epuipmnt I want. what should I tell him I want? what kind of: Regulator? BC? Mask, Snorkel, Fins? Wetsuit? Tank? Gauges? Anything else?

Answer 1

Think of that gear as you would tools. Buy what you need to do the job at hand. It would be insane of you to purchase say, a Viking commercial grade dry suit  to dive 70 F water, likewise buying an OMS rig for just cruising a reef would be overkill as well.

Define the type of diving you plan on doing and purchase appropriate gear both in cost and function.

1/ Mask- the rule is that it fit you. If it doesn't, then spending 150 bucks on a top end ocean master or even an Optrix is money down the toilet. Check the fit in store by holding it against your face and no strap. In hale once, through your nose, slightly. If it stays on for 30 seconds or more, it's an ok fit. Falls off? Move on to the next mask. When you're done this test with all the masks, take the ones that passed and check your field of view. The mask that offers good downward vis, decent side and is low volume is the winner. Don't buy a mask just because it has a purge valve. Just a bell and whistle and may be a source of a leak later.

2/ BC- Plan on tech diving later? You'll want lift and something that will go doubles. OMS or Dive Rite here. Cruise the reef, just about any BC made by a major manufacturer is fine so long as it fits and has the functionality you need. Gonna wreck dive eventually? You'll want pockets and D rings out your nose and something streamlined that's back inflation. Weight integrated would be a bonus but you'll pay for it.

3/ Regs- If you don't ever plan on diving a cold location, then don't spend the money on environmentals.  All major brands of reg manufacturer's have decent gear and they are always trying to out do one another.  Don't skimp on this part of your budget. Buy the best you can afford for the type of diving you plan on doing.Check up with www.scubadiving.com's reviews on the newest and their test results. Spend the money on a custom mouthpiece. It's worth it. Myself, I dive both  Apeks and old Sherwoods. I have had a freeze with the Apeks but not with my trusty old Woodies. If there's a possibility I might get a freeze, then I dive the 'woods, if not, then the Apeks for the breathing ease.

4/ snorkel- Something that clears easily and also can be stowed in a pocket. There are a number that can fold. Personal preference here.

5/Tank- Alum 80 is the standard. No point in going steel unless you're thinking of going tech.

6/ Gauges- Think streamlined. Other than that and whether you wish to have an integrated computer on the console, all are more or less the same. Some mounts offer a canted view for your compass, some don't.

7/ Fins- Try out as many as you can before buying. Everyone's kick style is different and not all fins do well in every situation. For example, I can't stand split fins. My kick style won't work with them and I silt out wrecks with the d**n things. I also dive in heavy current most of the time. I do better with Blades and oddly enough, I don't tire with them like I do with splits. Some of my pals are the opposite.

8/ Wet suit- Here's the fit thing again. Everyone's body is different. So is their tolerance of cold. If you can find one ( US Diver's makes one) get a semi dry. They're warmer but a little harder to get on or off because of the wrist , neck and ankle cuffs. Mind you, if you're diving 70F or warmer you won't be needing that. Get info on the temps in the area that you plan on diving most and what others are wearing. Manufacturers again, doesn't matter. All the major brands like Bare or Henderson, for example are good. Buy for the area you plan on diving. If You're a great lakes diver, then something with reinforced knees and elbows is a good idea. Zebra mussels will shred anything not reinforced. Same goes for gloves. Hood? Will you need one? Some suits have an integrated hood that you can choose to wear or not. Most don't so you'll need to purchase one if diving cold. Booties? Just like buying shoes, try them on and go for a walk about. Make sure there are no pinch points when you slip on your fins. It sux having great fitting , good rock climbing booties feel like they are driving a nail into you little toe when you get your fins on.

Answer 2

I will tell you what I like after years of diving and instructing students:  Zeigel (Rear in flat) BCDs, Legend LX Regs, Steel High Pressure tanks, Henderson Wetsuits, Suunto Computers (Cobra), Maries Fins, Mask and Snorkel do not matter if they fit well and have a LOW profile and my favorite exposure suite is a DUI Drysuit... Don't dive cold without it...