Getting Started

[fishchaser]

I was in the same boat as you about 8 months ago regarding buying all the equipment.  Thanks to the help of this board and scubaboard.com, I believe I made out pretty well.

Since I knew I was going to be diving the cold waters of Lake Michigan, plus I didn't want to limit my diving "season" to only a couple warm months, I went with a drysuit.  A quality wetsuit will run you about $600.  My Bare Trilam HD was $1200 including two sets of undies (see divetank.com for good Bare deals).  I thought for $600 more, it was worth it to extend my season, as well as increase the comfort factor.  Also, Bare makes quite a few standard sizes...looks like MLTall might do you (175-200#, 6'0"-6'2").

I also went with a BP/wing right from the start and am happy I did.  I was quite reluctant to do so, as I've never seen one and my LDS doesn't carry them (and of course then shuns them).  I went with a DiveRite Trek at 40# lift.  It seems quite adaquate and not as large as the Rec wing at 51# lift.  I will admit, it doesn't hold you out of the water like a jacket style does, but you get used to it.

I bought my regs/computer on ebay and they are great.  Maybe I was lucky, maybe buying from ebay is a crapshoot.  Overall, I bought the majority of my stuff online to save the money.  I saved over $1000 (>30%) by buying new and/or used online.  I did spend some money at the LDS, but it's difficult to pay $60 locally for something I got shipped to my door for $20 from LeisurePro.  That's $40 I got to spend on something else I needed.

Anyway, good luck and have fun!  This place is an excellent resource!

Chad