new Diver looking at buying kit

[Forrest]

Can't decide on kit

Any one give me their view on the following

UWATEC 2+1 Console
Cressi Aqualight BCD
Apeks XTX 200 Reg
Typhoon Pro S drysuit

I intend on doing a fair bit of research before I buy any of my own kit so any advice would be appreciated

[scubaclogger]

I started diving with a cressi aqualight and find it to be a good bcd and was great for taking on holiday. Had to change it when i got my own drysuit as it didn't fit so would recommond taking in to account your drysuit when sizing.

Can't comment on the XTX 200 but a have been using an ATX 50 for 5 years and never had a problem with them, saying that i am a apeks fan.

Below are links to Divelife and the gear you have listed.


Typhoon Pro Sports Dry Suit for £399 (http://www.divelife.co.uk/typhoon-sport-drysuit-p-1425.html?manufacturers_id=63)

Apeks XTX 200 + XTX 40 Oct + Free triple Console for £439 (http://www.divelife.co.uk/apeks-octo-free-triple-console-£673-p-611.html?manufacturers_id=32)

Cressi Aqualight BCD for £199 (http://www.divelife.co.uk/cressi-aqualight-£249-p-388.html?manufacturers_id=21)

[Rick]

just get the XTX50 rather than the XTX200

the internals of the second stage are exactly the same and the rest is bling

Use the cash saved to spend on other stuff

[PeteM]

just get the XTX50 rather than the XTX200

I would say go even further and just get the XTX40. All you loose is external adjustment for cracking pressure which is in my opinion a waste of time. Set it right, or get it set right and then ignore it

[Forrest]

Thanks for the advice, especially on the reg, think I'll see if I can try some in the pool first, got till September before I really need to buy, off to Barbados.

Anyone been? Where's good to dive?

[Alan Ewart]

Just as a matter of interest, do you have a dive computer? If so consider buying a depth timer as a backup and just go for a single pressure guage instead of a cricket bat size triple console.

Much neater and more streamlined. Cheaper too :)

[Tarun Rajan]

In the same context, i am looking at purchasing an Apeks ATX200 first and second stage, a Scubapro r395 Occy and a Cressi mini 3 console. Any +ve or -ve experiences with these?

[Forrest]

No, don't have a dive computer just yet but considering the Suunto Gecko to start with, probbly be end of summer before I have this though. Might take your advice and hold off till then before buying my guages. Will have to use friends till then.

Cheers

[Gerbil]

In the same context, i am looking at purchasing an Apeks ATX200 first and second stage, a Scubapro r395 Occy and a Cressi mini 3 console. Any +ve or -ve experiences with these?

I would echo comments made above, go for a 50 (or even a 40). Ask your self what are you really paying for by going for a 200?

Thats what i did and i cant see the difference (apart from extra money in my pocket)

[TerryH]

In the same context, i am looking at purchasing an Apeks ATX200 first and second stage, a Scubapro r395 Occy and a Cressi mini 3 console. Any +ve or -ve experiences with these?

Well save your dosh and go for a 40, 50 if you have to, but the very obvious
is why have a different occi to your main?

Even if we play the selfish card and say that the occi is for someone else,
that's a freaked out diver hangng on looking to use your primary if your occi
isnt ok.

So get the same occi as your primary, plus you have the added bonus of
being able to swap or play around if your diving progresses.

[PeteM]

Well save your dosh and go for a 40, 50 if you have to, but the very obvious
is why have a different occi to your main?

Even if we play the selfish card and say that the occi is for someone else,
that's a freaked out diver hangng on looking to use your primary if your occi
isnt ok.

So get the same occi as your primary, plus you have the added bonus of
being able to swap or play around if your diving progresses.

Also some shops get a bit funny when you get them to service regs with different makes for the backup to the primary as they say they were CE approved seperately which therefore breaks the approval by putting them together, not a huge problem but an easily avoidable one

[Matt Smith]

Can't decide on kit.......

I intend on doing a fair bit of research before I buy any of my own kit so any advice would be appreciated

Depends on your attitude to spending money. I bought a lot of stuff new when I started and over time wish I had'nt bought some of the gear I did at the time

I feel with time and experience you chop and change dive kit

I have now settled to a "Standardised" set of gear after 5 years of diving and trying different kit (because it works for me)

I only occasionally buy new now and some of my kit is h/m (because it does the job better than some commercially manufactured kit I used to own)

Basic Kit I use:

Regs - Cyklons
BCD - OLD Buddy Commando
Fins - SP Jetfins
Drysuit - Otter Extreme
Cylinders - Fabers (all sizes)
Reels - From B&Q & builders skip in road
Computer - Suunto Vytec (I got for £250 but rarely use)

Only the cylinders were new when I bought them

APEKS regs and valves are good btw but I currently prefer my cyklons. see if you can get hold of some decent APEKS regs on the cheap

There's plenty of s/h dive kit of all makes easily sourcable but ensure it is all serviceable before diving with it!

[leon]

hi Fella

the things that you have to consider when you buy equipment are:

what are you going to do when you dive? Deep, Shallow, Drift, Photography etc

this will help you decide what kit you want.....

in my opinion, the most important kit you have to buy are your MASK AND FINS, sounds stupid but i had to try 12 different masks before i got a correct one for me, i chose the BIG EYE as it has changable lenses for my glasses and my face is a odd shape and water always leaks through my temples....
the fins, if you don't get the correct ones they will induce cramp, you do not want that, they can also rub your feet and this will make your dive very uncomfortable.



for the reg, if you plan to do a lot of diving then buy a good Reg, at the end of the day if you buy a cheap reg then you decide to do a lot of deep diving then you will have to spend the money twice on buying a new reg later.

the drysuit.... get one that fits, it is the MOST important, which drysuit? Neo or tri?

the computer, the prices of computers are not cheap so get a good one, i would say buy one with NITROX on.

hope this information helps you.

if you ever go to Ibiza for diving then contact me,
i have a website just for divers and diving information

Safe diving