What first

John HP · 07-13-2007, 10:30 AM

Can soemone give me some advise on what is recommended to buy first after mask, snorkel & fins. With the prices of regulators, BC's computers this is going to have to be a gradual process for me, So I just wondered what you guys think I should spend my money on first and why.

Cheers

**MgicTwnger** · 07-13-2007, 11:28 AM

That's a tough one. A reg and BC are for your survival. A wetsuit or drysuit is best when it fits well, and a rental might not (besides other people have been peeing in it). A computer has to be learned.
If I was in your position, I would bite the bullet and look for a package deal including everything. Dealers, especially internet ones, run these all the time. It is always better to own than rent, and you can save a lot of dough that way.
Believe me, when I got back into this after a 20+ year layoff, the sticker shock floored me too. A lot of the gear I bought was used. No problem with that as long as you get it checked out by a tech.
And I loved the look on the dive shop owners face when I said the word "eBay".

**glynneco** · 07-13-2007, 11:35 AM

First thing I bought was a wet suit. Fit was the reason. Second thing was a Computer to dive my own profile. Then was BC and reg as a pkg.

**dalehall** · 07-14-2007, 04:43 PM

I did exactly what glynneco did.. Wetsuit then dive computer (wrist type) and then I got "the big stuff" (bc, reg, octo, console computer) as a package deal later on. I sold my original wrist computer on eBay after I got my console version. Now that I think about it, I even sold that first wetsuit on eBay. I love eBay!!!

jay956 · 07-14-2007, 09:45 PM

i work at The Dive Shop here in richmond, va. and just the other day i had someone come in and ask this same exact question. there are a million different reasons to buy one and not the other. for example, get a computer and u can have longer botom time, but you would also have to buy a reg. i think the best thing to do is save up and get your reg, computer, and bc in a package. we sell a good near-bottom of the line package for around $1500. not much considering they will last forever as long as u take care of it.

**Scuba Mama** · 07-16-2007, 09:15 PM

I agree buying a package is a cost savings. If you have to have something a wetsuit. Just so you know who and whats been in it.

poseidon · 07-24-2007, 04:18 PM

The cost of computers is going down gradually. Buy your reg and or bcd first and then worry about the rest...

**Resqdivemedic** · 07-26-2007, 03:36 PM

I would start off with a regulator package with analog gauges, BCD, and wetsuit. I personnally waited to buy a computer for many years. I became comfortable using the tables and the analog gauges. After 20 years of diving I finally bought a computer after alot a online research. Shop around for the equipment, alot of good deals out there.
Good luck and dive safe.

Huggyd · 08-18-2007, 09:57 PM

One point that no ones talked about yet. I think it also depends on how much diving you plan on doing / how much diving you have time for. Going out and spending $1500 + for all your own equipment is a lot of money if you only have to for a few dives a year. I live in Ontario, Canada so the dive season is sort compared to say Florida and I can’t afford to take dive trips every year to Florida or the cost line. So the bottom line to me is that its more cost effective to rent for apx. $60 for the weekend then spend $1500 to do maybe 5 or 7 dives a season. I still might go out and buy a dive computer just to have the extra bottom time.
As for the wet suit, the other factor is weight change if you lose weight and the suit does not fit right your going to get cold and same with weight gain your going to get cold that’s if you can still fit in it, so thats what $200 gone for a wetsuit.

Bottom line, How much diving do you plan on doing?

**glynneco** · 08-19-2007, 04:52 AM

Wgt change? That's what God invented hyperstretch for! Saved me several suits as I pogo up and down.