Getting Started

[Omicron]

Good start.  I use the DiveRite RecWing w/ a stainless steel plate.  I've used that setup diving AL80's in Cozumel w/ a 3MIL suit, to cave diving w/ double 104's, full drysuit and deco bottles.  VERY versatile.

A good, inexpensive bottom timer is the Uwatec "hockey puck".  It's a bottom timer/depth gauge...



Suunto & Uwatec both make nice entry level computers as well.

Shell drysuits are the norm around here.  Any brand will do to be honest - you'll find people that will argue brand name, but find something that fits you.  I was able to dive for quite awhile w/ a 7MM wetsuit, but I was able to enjoy my diving a lot more with a drysuit, as well as extend my diving season.  It's worth it in the long run.  A high quality 7MM wetsuit will run you $200-$300.  You can get a drysuit used for twice that.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask.  Most of us on the board have gone through this several times - we started diving, bought a ton of gear...then a few years down the road threw it all away and bought quality gear   We hate watching others make the same mistakes