What i think i want - suggestions?

davetheshoeman · May 4th, 2007, 03:28 AM

G'day All!

Here is a list of what i have been thinking of 'investing' in. I have been diving on singles for some time and am going to be doing my Deco course this winter in Melbourne Australia. I would love some advise from you all. My long term goal is to be able to dive deep wrecks, sites like Truk and Andrea Doria to name a few.

Halcyon Explorer Mc System (thinking of the Evolve instead)
Halcyon Twin Hose Kit
2x Faber 12L tanks
300 Bar Manifold
2x Apex ATX200 din Regulators
Stainless twin bands
Suunto D9 with wireless

Pony Bottle Setup
Luxfer 40cf stage tank
Halcyon stage rigging kit
Apex ATX50 Din

Thanks Guys!
Dave

sasdasdaf · May 4th, 2007, 04:05 AM

depending on what you are trying to achieve, you could save some money. no need for a pony bottle setup (or did you mean deco setup?) yet. it will take some time to get comfortable with the doubles before you need a deco bottle.

as for backgas, i prefer the TX/ATX 100 combo over the 200. it is cheaper too. you could also get DS4s, which are even cheaper.

i don't know what the suunto D9 does but i like to stick to simple and cheap gauges like the uwatec bottom timer.

sasdasdaf · May 4th, 2007, 04:08 AM

damnit, eric beat me to it. i agree with what he said.

Vie · May 4th, 2007, 04:55 AM

If you end up getting ATX50s for backgas and deco, specify DS4 first stages - DSTs are definitely pointless for backgas; some people like them but I also hate using DSTs as deco/stage regs. With Evolve wing, imho, I think FST (TX/ATX/XTX100) first stages offers the best hose routing.

Note: you may need a 24" LP hose for your backup second stage (instead of the usual 22") if you use DS4s for backgas.

For bottom timer, I'd recommend a UWATEC Aladin TEC2G (nice gauge mode with stopwatch and resettable average depth indicator) - the UWATEC BT is nice (and much more reliable) but I hate the fact that you cannot download dive data. I agree with the others - forget about air integration/transmitter; use a reliable, stand alone SPG.

For the deco reg SPG, I really like Scubapro's capsule SPG (the small Suunto ones are ok too).

wilbo · May 4th, 2007, 05:06 AM

I agree with what the others say.. also:
Make sure your manifold is of the double oring barrel type (scubapro/DIRzone/Agir Brok etc) - not facing orings - like the MDE type manifold.
Buy the best bands for your twins that you can afford - v4tec, agir brok, highland mills etc - don't skimp on this bit.
Pony bottle - I assume you mean deco/stage cylinder - you don't really need the halcyon mounting kit - you can make up you own rigging kit simple enough (DIR-diver.com - US Navy Diving Manual pdf.

hth

davetheshoeman · May 4th, 2007, 06:50 AM

Thanks to all you guys for your advise, i'm keen to get more, especially on the issue of the computer.

D9 vs SmartTec vs Aladin Tec2G,

your thoughts are appreciated
Thanks
Dave

Vie · May 4th, 2007, 08:11 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by davetheshoeman)

Thanks to all you guys for your advise, i'm keen to get more, especially on the issue of the computer.

D9 vs SmartTec vs Aladin Tec2G,

your thoughts are appreciated
Thanks
Dave

If you are thinking of pursuing technical diving, all you really need is a bottom timer or a computer with a good gauge mode.

If you really must have a small Suunto, a D6 is probably a better choice than a D9 (i.e. all the functions you need without the pointless transmitter). The basic D3 also makes a fine bottom timer. The Vytec DS and Vyper2 also have nice gauge mode and have bigger displays than the D6/D9.

I'd pick a TEC2G (or the UWATEC BT) over a Smart TEC any day... The TEC2G has the best gauge mode out there, imho (apart from the rather insanely priced UWATEC Galileo Sol). I had some reliability issues with the original Aladin TEC but my TEC2G has been flawless so far (and it's compatible with my Mac).

Side note: I saw a new version of the UWATEC Bottom Timer at ADEX in Bangkok recently - it now has an average depth indicator that alternates with the temperature display - average depth cannot be reset though, unlike on the TEC2G.

I would also definitely recommend the Deep Sea Supply Elastomeric Mount - there are two models that will fit the Suunto Vyper/Vytec or UWATEC BT/Aladin TEC2G

http://www.deepseasupply.com/page18.html

vid · May 4th, 2007, 08:49 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by davetheshoeman)

Halcyon Explorer Mc System (thinking of the Evolve instead)
2x Faber 12L tanks

Thanks Guys!
Dave

There's a few threads on the evolve/cylinder combination

the evolve is better suited to other makes of cylinders, because of the longer length (if you use evolve with fabers, you run the risk of pinching the wing on the bottom of the cylinders when putting them down as the wing is a good 1-2 inches longer).

I'd suggest either

Fabers - explorer
Heiser - evolve

otherwise agree with all of the comments above

HTH

vid

PS see the dir essays /articles in the library regarding the use of computers for deco planning. written tables and a depth gauge/timer are a good combination

vid · May 4th, 2007, 08:51 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Vie)

Side note: I saw a new version of the UWATEC Bottom Timer at ADEX in Bangkok recently - it now has an average depth indicator that alternates with the temperature display - average depth cannot be reset though, unlike on the TEC2G.

did they mention price and/or a release date?

ta

vid

MonkSeal · May 4th, 2007, 08:58 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by vid)

There's a few threads on the evolve/cylinder combination the evolve is better suited to other makes of cylinders, because of the longer length (if you use evolve with fabers, you run the risk of pinching the wing on the bottom of the cylinders when putting them down as the wing is a good 1-2 inches longer).

I'd suggest either

Fabers - explorer
Heiser - evolve

Well, it depends on particular Faber model. There are several lenghts of 12's with same diameter. My Faber 12's are longer then Evolve (little but enough) and there's no chance to get wing pinched. The advice is when you buy be sure that you know all measures.

May 4th, 2007, 03:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
davetheshoeman(Offline) New Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Port Philip Bay Australia Posts: 91	What i think i want - suggestions? G'day All! Here is a list of what i have been thinking of 'investing' in. I have been diving on singles for some time and am going to be doing my Deco course this winter in Melbourne Australia. I would love some advise from you all. My long term goal is to be able to dive deep wrecks, sites like Truk and Andrea Doria to name a few. Halcyon Explorer Mc System (thinking of the Evolve instead) Halcyon Twin Hose Kit 2x Faber 12L tanks 300 Bar Manifold 2x Apex ATX200 din Regulators Stainless twin bands Suunto D9 with wireless Pony Bottle Setup Luxfer 40cf stage tank Halcyon stage rigging kit Apex ATX50 Din Thanks Guys! Dave

May 4th, 2007, 04:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Vie(Offline) Loner at the ball... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Krung Thep, Siam, mostly Posts: 189	If you end up getting ATX50s for backgas and deco, specify DS4 first stages - DSTs are definitely pointless for backgas; some people like them but I also hate using DSTs as deco/stage regs. With Evolve wing, imho, I think FST (TX/ATX/XTX100) first stages offers the best hose routing. Note: you may need a 24" LP hose for your backup second stage (instead of the usual 22") if you use DS4s for backgas. For bottom timer, I'd recommend a UWATEC Aladin TEC2G (nice gauge mode with stopwatch and resettable average depth indicator) - the UWATEC BT is nice (and much more reliable) but I hate the fact that you cannot download dive data. I agree with the others - forget about air integration/transmitter; use a reliable, stand alone SPG. For the deco reg SPG, I really like Scubapro's capsule SPG (the small Suunto ones are ok too). Last edited by Vie; May 4th, 2007 at 05:32 AM.

May 4th, 2007, 05:06 AM	#5 (permalink)
wilbo (Online) Chimp 4 Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Swindon, UK Posts: 872	I agree with what the others say.. also: Make sure your manifold is of the double oring barrel type (scubapro/DIRzone/Agir Brok etc) - not facing orings - like the MDE type manifold. Buy the best bands for your twins that you can afford - v4tec, agir brok, highland mills etc - don't skimp on this bit. Pony bottle - I assume you mean deco/stage cylinder - you don't really need the halcyon mounting kit - you can make up you own rigging kit simple enough (DIR-diver.com - US Navy Diving Manual pdf. hth __________________ Cheers! Wilbo DIR explorers: DIR Yorkshire Divers: YorkshireDivers One of the Foxturd chimps

May 4th, 2007, 06:50 AM	#6 (permalink)
davetheshoeman(Offline) New Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Port Philip Bay Australia Posts: 91	Wow Thanks to all you guys for your advise, i'm keen to get more, especially on the issue of the computer. D9 vs SmartTec vs Aladin Tec2G, your thoughts are appreciated Thanks Dave

May 4th, 2007, 08:11 AM	#7 (permalink)
Vie(Offline) Loner at the ball... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Krung Thep, Siam, mostly Posts: 189	Quote: (Originally Posted by davetheshoeman) Thanks to all you guys for your advise, i'm keen to get more, especially on the issue of the computer. D9 vs SmartTec vs Aladin Tec2G, your thoughts are appreciated Thanks Dave If you are thinking of pursuing technical diving, all you really need is a bottom timer or a computer with a good gauge mode. If you really must have a small Suunto, a D6 is probably a better choice than a D9 (i.e. all the functions you need without the pointless transmitter). The basic D3 also makes a fine bottom timer. The Vytec DS and Vyper2 also have nice gauge mode and have bigger displays than the D6/D9. I'd pick a TEC2G (or the UWATEC BT) over a Smart TEC any day... The TEC2G has the best gauge mode out there, imho (apart from the rather insanely priced UWATEC Galileo Sol). I had some reliability issues with the original Aladin TEC but my TEC2G has been flawless so far (and it's compatible with my Mac). Side note: I saw a new version of the UWATEC Bottom Timer at ADEX in Bangkok recently - it now has an average depth indicator that alternates with the temperature display - average depth cannot be reset though, unlike on the TEC2G. I would also definitely recommend the Deep Sea Supply Elastomeric Mount - there are two models that will fit the Suunto Vyper/Vytec or UWATEC BT/Aladin TEC2G http://www.deepseasupply.com/page18.html Last edited by Vie; May 4th, 2007 at 08:48 AM.

May 4th, 2007, 04:05 AM	#2 (permalink)
sasdasdaf(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 375	depending on what you are trying to achieve, you could save some money. no need for a pony bottle setup (or did you mean deco setup?) yet. it will take some time to get comfortable with the doubles before you need a deco bottle. as for backgas, i prefer the TX/ATX 100 combo over the 200. it is cheaper too. you could also get DS4s, which are even cheaper. i don't know what the suunto D9 does but i like to stick to simple and cheap gauges like the uwatec bottom timer.

May 4th, 2007, 04:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
sasdasdaf(Offline) New Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 375	damnit, eric beat me to it. i agree with what he said.

May 4th, 2007, 08:49 AM	#8 (permalink)
vid(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: london/surrey border, UK Posts: 353	Quote: (Originally Posted by davetheshoeman) Halcyon Explorer Mc System (thinking of the Evolve instead) 2x Faber 12L tanks Thanks Guys! Dave There's a few threads on the evolve/cylinder combination the evolve is better suited to other makes of cylinders, because of the longer length (if you use evolve with fabers, you run the risk of pinching the wing on the bottom of the cylinders when putting them down as the wing is a good 1-2 inches longer). I'd suggest either Fabers - explorer Heiser - evolve otherwise agree with all of the comments above HTH vid PS see the dir essays /articles in the library regarding the use of computers for deco planning. written tables and a depth gauge/timer are a good combination

May 4th, 2007, 08:51 AM	#9 (permalink)
vid(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: london/surrey border, UK Posts: 353	Quote: (Originally Posted by Vie) Side note: I saw a new version of the UWATEC Bottom Timer at ADEX in Bangkok recently - it now has an average depth indicator that alternates with the temperature display - average depth cannot be reset though, unlike on the TEC2G. did they mention price and/or a release date? ta vid

May 4th, 2007, 08:58 AM	#10 (permalink)
MonkSeal(Offline) Old Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Zagreb, Croatia Posts: 474	Quote: (Originally Posted by vid) There's a few threads on the evolve/cylinder combination the evolve is better suited to other makes of cylinders, because of the longer length (if you use evolve with fabers, you run the risk of pinching the wing on the bottom of the cylinders when putting them down as the wing is a good 1-2 inches longer). I'd suggest either Fabers - explorer Heiser - evolve Well, it depends on particular Faber model. There are several lenghts of 12's with same diameter. My Faber 12's are longer then Evolve (little but enough) and there's no chance to get wing pinched. The advice is when you buy be sure that you know all measures.