NATER

Ok guys, I am somewhat stuck in what I should do for my next big buy. I have everything except a BC and a set of regs....I know they are the 2 most important things other than air, I just haven't been able to spend the money until now. Which is where the advice comes in. I figured with the money I am able to spend I have a few options:

1) I can buy a cheap BC to have for short notice dives or possibly go the craigslist route, and hope my size comes up eventually

3) Ican get a cheapset of regs...or again go the craigslist way

4) or hold off on things for a while and buy a nice backplate wing and harness and eventuallya nice set ofregs

.......Need as much input as possible.

lobsterman

Both are life support, so don't skimp. Find the BC you want and buy it and then find the Regs you want and buy them. You can often times find good gear used but you need to make sure they are in good working order and serviceable. If you buy junk it could cost you more than you are willing to pay. Like your life.

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FelixH

When I got started, i bought a bunch of used gear for cheap. It was old gear, but in good shape. It cost me $350 for a BC, set of regs, a tank, and assorted other stuff like fins, masks, etc.

The BC lasted a couple seasons before I upgraded to a Hollis BP/W from MBT. If the regs ever crap out, I'll see what I can get to replace them...maybe anAtomic, but more likelyMares just because they're a bit easier on the wallet.

Have you tried a BP/W? If not, I'd suggest you try one before buying. Most people love them, but some people absolutely hate them. That's a lot of money to blow only to find out later that you don't like the gear.

BADBOY69

Ditto what Felix said! Alot of us started w/ a jacket BC 'cause they were cheap and then bought a "nicer" jacket when we could afford it only to find out that a rear inflate or B/W/H was the best route all along! :banghead Try a hog harness w/ a SS backplate or check out the TransPlate from Dive Rite. If you really want to stay with a BC style set-up, check out the Hollis ATS. MBTDive and Surf is a good source and will let you try on various systems! Hope this helps!

SCUBA Junkie

A BC is a very personal choice. All depends on what you like and are comfortable with. For me, I like a back inflate and simply love my SCUBA Pro Knighthawk. I had a jacket style previsously and did not like it. I'll go ahead and date myself and add that when I started diving, I wore a horse collar and used a "J" valve instead of a pressure gauge. Regardless of your choice, don't skimp on quality.

sealark

Get a BC that doesn't have a blatter and any used regulator will work just fine as long as it is functioning. Regulators 99.9% of the time if you turn them on and they don't freeflow they are operating That is a safety factor of regulators because of there downstream valve design. If the regulator starts to freeflow when turned on even so slightly have it serviced.

RaceCarGuy

Watch the shoppers, I found both sets of my gear through them. Seaquest BC, one set of Atomic B-2 regulators and one set of scuba pro MK25 and G600. I pratically stole both sets. Watch the classified and the shopper, be patient and something used will show up.

HITTINBOTTOM

I would put more emphasis on a set of quality regulators than a bc if you had to choose.Regulators really are vital, if your bouyancy is good a faulty bc wont keep you from reaching the surface, but faulty regulators could.

Sailor612

That you alex??

sealark

I don't dissagree with getting quality gear. But if someone is on a limited budget there isn't a thing wrong or unsafe about getting a used regulator. Regulators as a general rule. And I base my general rule on the fact that I have been diving since 1953 and never had or heard of a regulator freezing up and not supplying air. When a regulator fails it will Freezeup and freeflow. Just have a used regulator serviced buy a dive shop to be sure you have a regulator that doesn't cut your trip short because it freeflows when turned on.