SCUBA gear help
- Thread starter P.Kelly
- Start date
Pete,
The first question for you is where are you getting certified? I would purchase the mask from the place where you are getting certified. Ask them if the mask doesn't fit properly during your pool dive, can you swap it out for a different mask. Stacy (my wife) went through three different masks before she found one that fit her face properly. Don't worry about brands when purchasing mask - just get one that fits well. Oh - also don't get a mask with a built in purge.
I bought my boots and fins from Dolphin Scuba. Their price were about comparable to online places. For my gloves, I purchased them online because Dolphin didn't have the kind I wanted. I ended up purchasing three pairs (different sizes) and return the two sizes that didn't fit me properly. I originally purchase 3mm gloves, but found them to be too thick and thus I lost a lot of dexterity. I ended up using 0.5/1mm warm water gloves - which makes my hand a little cold. However, with 1mm - I have much more dexterity. For boots, go with the thicker boots. Don't worry about brand for boots - you just want them to fit well.
As far as fins are concerned - I really like my ScubaPro TwinJet. However, if I had to purchase fins again, I would probably get the ScubaPro TwinJet Max (which weren't available when I purchased my gear). Other good fins include the Apollo Bio Fins (my second choice) and the Oceanic V-12. I know these fins are pricey - but well worth it!
Snorkel - just get a cheap snorkel. Don't worry about getting the "dry" snorkel.
Last - I believe that Dolphin will do a personal gear package discount.
Minh
The first question for you is where are you getting certified? I would purchase the mask from the place where you are getting certified. Ask them if the mask doesn't fit properly during your pool dive, can you swap it out for a different mask. Stacy (my wife) went through three different masks before she found one that fit her face properly. Don't worry about brands when purchasing mask - just get one that fits well. Oh - also don't get a mask with a built in purge.
I bought my boots and fins from Dolphin Scuba. Their price were about comparable to online places. For my gloves, I purchased them online because Dolphin didn't have the kind I wanted. I ended up purchasing three pairs (different sizes) and return the two sizes that didn't fit me properly. I originally purchase 3mm gloves, but found them to be too thick and thus I lost a lot of dexterity. I ended up using 0.5/1mm warm water gloves - which makes my hand a little cold. However, with 1mm - I have much more dexterity. For boots, go with the thicker boots. Don't worry about brand for boots - you just want them to fit well.
As far as fins are concerned - I really like my ScubaPro TwinJet. However, if I had to purchase fins again, I would probably get the ScubaPro TwinJet Max (which weren't available when I purchased my gear). Other good fins include the Apollo Bio Fins (my second choice) and the Oceanic V-12. I know these fins are pricey - but well worth it!
Snorkel - just get a cheap snorkel. Don't worry about getting the "dry" snorkel.
Last - I believe that Dolphin will do a personal gear package discount.
Minh
P.Kelly
New member
Cool, thanks for the info.
We're doing our pool dives at the local SportChalet this weekend and our open water in San Diego next weekend. We have skindiving masks, snorkels and slippers, but probably not sufficient for much more than that, plus my wetsuit is for surfing, its a 3/2, and not warm enough for diving.
We're doing our pool dives at the local SportChalet this weekend and our open water in San Diego next weekend. We have skindiving masks, snorkels and slippers, but probably not sufficient for much more than that, plus my wetsuit is for surfing, its a 3/2, and not warm enough for diving.
D&KSac
Premium Member
also depends how serious you want to dive. you can get your basic snorkelling package that you need to get certified for around 100 $ or go all out like i did and spend 220$ just for your fins. I have done many classes certs and electives @ dolfin on El Camino IMO the best rec dive store/ school in sacramento. Think of it kinda like your tank, spend what you can afford and most of all do your homework before you buy.
D&KSac
Premium Member
Read what you wrote about wetsuits. Unfortunatly with California waters being as cold as they are even in San Diego. Your best bet at minimum is a 6 mil but i would go with a 7 mil for your confort. Personally i dive a dry suit in california cuz i dont like being cold. I went to a commercial diver school in LA a few year back and worked professionally as a diver for a few years. Since my dives were on average 4-5 hours long i liked having the option of wearing thermals or sweats for extra protection from the cold. IMO what you choose for your suit is the most important piece of equipment you can buy so dont scrimp on it. Comfort is the key to enjoying a dive. Also with getting cold causes fatigue and that can increase your breathing which will definatly shorten your bottom time. If you have any questions feel free to send me a pm. Ive been diving a long time and feel i know a little something about it. lol
JJ4417
New member
What type of diving do you plan on doing? Warm water only, or locally? You only asked about basic goods, so I am assuming you mean soft goods. Mask, snorkel, fins, boots but...
I'm going to have to disagree slightly with D&K. A reg is your most important piece. I don't know if you are interested in buying hard goods yet, but don't get a regulator until you can buy a "class a". I would also recommend getting a sealed reg. That way over time none of the water gets in your internals. (Having a piece of sand get stuck in your diaphram sucks!)
The part I will agree with, if you don't get a decent suit, you aren't going to go locally. The cold will just keep you away. You might want to just take a drysuit class and rent one until you can save up for it. Warm in CA is 60's. If it is that warm, you'll have 2 foot vis from the plankton bloom. The best CA diving is 50ish degrees and that requires a drysuit for normal people.
I'm going to have to disagree slightly with D&K. A reg is your most important piece. I don't know if you are interested in buying hard goods yet, but don't get a regulator until you can buy a "class a". I would also recommend getting a sealed reg. That way over time none of the water gets in your internals. (Having a piece of sand get stuck in your diaphram sucks!)
The part I will agree with, if you don't get a decent suit, you aren't going to go locally. The cold will just keep you away. You might want to just take a drysuit class and rent one until you can save up for it. Warm in CA is 60's. If it is that warm, you'll have 2 foot vis from the plankton bloom. The best CA diving is 50ish degrees and that requires a drysuit for normal people.
