Ocean Diver Course [Archive] - BSAC Scuba Diving Forums

Phil_Harris

17-10-2009, 10:30

Nigel Hewitt

17-10-2009, 12:02

I'm thinking about getting the Buddy Commando BCD and some Apex Regs?
Classic UK diving kit...
..but both at the expensive end of the market.

The Buddy is probably overkill and I'm very dubious about Apeks as they seem to be totally committed to the M26 fiasco that nobody else wants.

northern_diver

17-10-2009, 13:39

Buddy commando and apex regs...Yeah, they are good gear, but why? The market is full of good gear and by using various groups/resources you may well be able to select gear that is A) fit for purpose B) fit for your likely future needs (at this stage the more all rounder the better) and C) 'correctly' prices (as in does the job but not 100 quid for expensive than something doing the same).

The latest buddy BC isnt getting great reviews, but dont let that deter you, check it your self, borrow and try in the pool/ sheltered open water and see what you like. Other BC's such as the seac sub 2000 pro/ aqua lung latitute etc etc or even more 'techy' regs like wings etc may be right up your street.

Read up on technical information such as 'balanced regs' (and unbalanced), cold water rating, DIN/A-clamp, ventri knobs etc etc and know what your paying for as its all has a price and its not always actually worth it.

I keep saying it but regs such as the aqualung titan, cheaper than the apex version but its over balanced so gives as much as i need, cold water rated and cheaper than i need, now serves as a octo as i have its big bro, the legend as my main....but i like them as i understand them and i know what im paying for. It fits my diving fine (>35 wrecks, uk waters).

Aqualung and apex are the same company too now.

But dont just get something cos the club has it, get it cos its what you want and need.

Helpful links-

Diver net, from diver mag, useful information on gear of all types and brands.
http://www.divernet.com/Diving_Gear/

Yorkshire divers forum, similar to BSAC's (even many of the same names) but has lots of useful information like this forum.
http://www.yorkshire-divers.com/

John

ChristianG

17-10-2009, 15:08

So now its time to get a few more diving gear, i already have my own Fins & mask.

I'm thinking about getting the Buddy Commando BCD and some Apex Regs?
My usual advice - don't! ... at this early stage of your diving career get much at all, trust me, you'll live to regret it.

Shiny new kit is, for a new diver, highly desirable. The likes of e-bay are full if it, when that "shiny" new diver realises, finally, that what they bought is a can of worms.

Are you in a BSAC club? Use it, ask the members (yes, they will have their own preferences) but more importantly use their gear, seems to me that they all have it to some extent or another. Then take notes of what you've used over time, otherwise it will become a mote in your minds eye, a jumble.

Eventually, even 2 months down the track, you will have a pretty good idea of what you actually want to buy, that will suit you.

Prepare to be disappointed by your then choices some two years, or less, down the track.

ChristianG

17-10-2009, 15:14

I'm very dubious about Apeks as they seem to be totally committed to the M26 fiasco that nobody else wants.
Isn't Apeks today part of Spirotechnique? I agree with you that the M26 thingie is a fiasco of extreme proportions.

PeteM

17-10-2009, 15:39

Isn't Apeks today part of Spirotechnique? I agree with you that the M26 thingie is a fiasco of extreme proportions.

They are owned by Aqualung, no idea if they have any connection to Spiro

Edward

17-10-2009, 18:52

They are owned by Aqualung, no idea if they have any connection to Spiro

No principle I won't buy Aqualung (Spiro, Technisub and now Apex) as it’s their policy to stop making the spares 3 years after the end of a production run. This is to encourage punters to buy new. As far as I know all other manufactures continue to support their products many yeas later, some 20 plus years.

Regards

Edward

Gareth

17-10-2009, 19:37

Steve in Sharm

18-10-2009, 14:46

My usual advice - don't! ... at this early stage of your diving career get much at all, trust me, you'll live to regret it.

Shiny new kit is, for a new diver, highly desirable. The likes of e-bay are full if it, when that "shiny" new diver realises, finally, that what they bought is a can of worms.

Are you in a BSAC club? Use it, ask the members (yes, they will have their own preferences) but more importantly use their gear, seems to me that they all have it to some extent or another. Then take notes of what you've used over time, otherwise it will become a mote in your minds eye, a jumble.

Eventually, even 2 months down the track, you will have a pretty good idea of what you actually want to buy, that will suit you.

Prepare to be disappointed by your then choices some two years, or less, down the track.

Wot he said :D

My original kit (Buddy Exp and Apeks regs) are still in excellent nick but live under the bed as I upgraded as soon as my diving upgraded as well - TX 40's make a really good stage regs though so I haven't lost cash if you know what I mean.

Regards

MattS

18-10-2009, 18:30

Well i have just passed my Ocean Diver Course yesterday (16-10-09) :) Very well done.

So now its time to get a few more diving gear, i already have my own Fins & mask.As has been said, think carefully before committing your hard earned. Make a list of what you need. Put some ball park prices on it. Find out which items are and are not available to rent. Prioritise your shopping list accordingly.

I'm thinking about getting the Buddy Commando BCD and some Apex Regs?Despite what has been said, you can not really go far wrong with a Buddy jacket and Apex TX regulators. They are common for good reason, being flexible in application and extremely robust. 15 years on my original Buddy Slimline and TX50 are still getting regular use. I have other kit (OMS, Posiedon) which I bought specifically for deeper diving. The Buddy and Apex are better all rounders.

Stab jackets, regulators and cylinders are easy and inexpensive to rent. It is nice to have a BCD you are familiar with and regs you know where they have been, but there are other things you will need that can not be rented.

If you are intending to dive in UK waters for the next 6 months you might want to consider a dry suit. Decent environmental protection is one of the most important and expensive purchases a UK diver makes. Torches are also really important for UK diving. Like the dry suit, a good torch can make the difference between a great dive and a poor one. Like the dry suit, a torch can be another big expensive purchase.

Now you have finished the lessons, you are likely to start running into the restrictions of diving within decompression tables. You may want to budget for a dive computer. For diving in the sea you will soon need a reel and DSMB. You will want a mesh goody bag to keep all this kit together. When you start adding up what all these peripheral bits and bobs cost, it can make sense to buy them before the stuff you can rent.

Do your homework. Try to buy right and buy once, even if it is going to cost more. Some dive centres offer try before you buy facilties (but not enough of em). Keep in mind that what one person loves, another may hate. If you intend to dive regularly in the UK, pay particular attention to the build quality. Although most kit on the market performs adequately when new, a lot of it will not stand up to a couple years of UK diving. Personally I don't look for pretty, feature rich or particularly comfortable, I look for functional, bullet proof. Also remember to ask what the servicing will cost. I love my Poseidon regs but servicing them is eye wateringly expensive.

When you have a clear idea of something you want, do not compromise by buying something cheaper. You will end up buying what you wanted anyway, and resigning the earlier purchase to the divers equivalent of the cupboard under the sink.

BTW BJ has it wrong. Every regular diver has makes bad purchases and is well aware of it. We just don't talk about it :o

bakerstreet

19-10-2009, 10:41

No principle I won't buy Aqualung (Spiro, Technisub and now Apex) as it’s their policy to stop making the spares 3 years after the end of a production run. This is to encourage punters to buy new. As far as I know all other manufactures continue to support their products many yeas later, some 20 plus years.

Do they? I didn't know that. May have to investigate that. My ATX200 set is two years old in March. Not too worried about the first stage as that looks identical to my XTX200s. Dunno about the the second stages though :(. I will still continue to recommend them, as I like the product and mine have never let me down.

I've become very bias about advising new divers on gear. Used to write pages and pages. Now I just give two sets of regs (One ScubaPro and one Apeks)

Used to recommend the Buddy jackets but like thers on this thread, I've had some reports from people saying they are not made to the same quality they used to be.

Not sure what other jackets to recommend. I dive with a Zeagle wing, but don't want to give that to new starters as they aren't to everyone's taste.

NickBCotswold

19-10-2009, 10:50

Hey All

Well i have just passed my Ocean Diver Course yesterday (16-10-09) :)

So now its time to get a few more diving gear, i already have my own Fins & mask.

I'm thinking about getting the Buddy Commando BCD and some Apex Regs?

All advise on this is very welcome

Cheers in advance :-)

congrats Phil!!!!

re buying the gear - as others have said, dont restrict yourself and "dive" straight in and buy them.... if not done already, join a club and try others divers gear.... make your choices based on what diving you want to do, what you need for the future but really most of all budget! Also look at different manfs! for example I love my mares regs - - very reliable, good breathe, but the downside is slightly more expensive servicing and lead time for spares kits!! I dont mind that tho as i love my regs!

just dont rush into anything!

Nick

northern_diver

19-10-2009, 11:53

Haggle and scheme to get the best deals and buy the best you can afford at the time.

But try before you buy somehow if you can, saves a world of 'oh s**t why'd i get that crap' later

John