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Hi MisterEd. I just had to upgrade my 1st and 2nd stage and my Octo. After looking at the pro’s/con’s etc. I went with the EDGE HOG D3 Zenith. HOG equipment is top quality stuff and while the HOG D3 is environmentally sealed/cold water rated it’s not nearly as pricey as some other top name brands. You can buy the whole package assembled including a 3 guage console for around $600.
I replaced my former reg. because it wasn’t sealed and I ended up with a frozen free flow at 100’ in water temps around 47 degrees. I never want to have to experience that again if I can help it so I replaced it with the HOG.
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Thanks for the info, HOG is one of my considerations
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I suggest looking up the "Top 10’s" of anything, including dive gear. Since you are the best judge of the kind of diving you prefer and are involved in, taking an online detailed look at the top-rated dive brands for any particular piece of equipment will answer most of your questions and steer you in the right direction. Reading reviews help, but be wary of negative ones propagated by a singe reviewer. Those often show personal bias instead of providing factual data. Good luck and safe diving!
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@Airworks: I agree completely! I’ve had to upgrade a few key components of my gear that had I researched it better and maybe rented the gear style first to try it out, I would have saved myself some money.
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One problem I ran into with streamlining and using a combo inflator. Once going thru TSA they broke my second by popping the purge button off my 2nd and not putting it back in the bag.
If you go that route make sure you have an inflator hose in your save-a-dive kit. Same if you go with a hoseless SPG, have a small SPG on a hose just in case.
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When the TSA agents stopped you to search the inside of your 2nd stage did they say, "We’re from the Government; we’re here to help."? That would be extremely frustrating to show up at your dive location and realize your purge button is gone.
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Non streamline is pretty much what you are getting from LDS at the end of your training( bulky BCD, extra long rubber hoses, pressure gauge/compass/computer with console,etc)
Streamline is less bulkier equipment (plate with wing, shorter but more flexible hoses, wrist compurer, etc)
The whole idea behind is to make your equpment more compact so nothing is hanging or sticking out.
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Most likely the Arris Jacket BCD by Aqualung is bulkier than i need, but at the moment of purchase I felt it to be the best choice for me. Features include hidden side pockets on both sides for Octopus and Oceanic dive computer.
After researching various 1st & 2nd stage regulators I went with Zeagle f8 based on cold water regulator reviews I added f8 octopus to complete the ensemble. I live in New York State where cold water diving is likely to occur.
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Very good choice on Zeagle. You’ll never have to pay for parts. Just labor.
Make sure your LDS doesn’t charge you for parts. Your bcd is very good as well especially in the beginning. Usually people don’t dive with plate and wing right away. Some people stay with bcd forever. After 50-100 dives you will see what you need and what you want.
Check out videos of this guy. You will find a lot of good info on diving equipment and a set up:
youtu.be/Qm_oZTAqE04
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