Dive Equipment
This is a list of some of the equipment we use. I have no specific recommendations for you and I am not affiliated with any of the manufacturers.
Buoyancy Control Device (BCD)
We both have 2 BCDs, I have a Mares HUB for recreational diving and a ScubaPro Glide 1000 for teaching. Amanda uses a SeaQuest Diva for fun and a ScubaPro Glide 500 for teaching. We chose the ScubaPro gear to be consistent with the type of BC students usually have so no integrated weights and standard LPI controls.
I love the HUB but on our rescue course it became evident that it would have made things easier for my buddy and the other students had I used more standard gear. What finally pushed me into buying the ScubaPro was when we did the Divemaster course. They made me demonstrate a lot of the skills twice, once as I would normally perform the skill and again acting as if I had a conventional BC (I think they were trying to tell me something).
Regulator
The HUB uses a Mares MR12 derivative first stage, Mares Orbiter 2nd stage & Mares Nikos alternate. For the pool sessions I use ScubaPro MKII first stage R290 2nd stage and R390 alternate. Again this represents about the most standard set of regs you're likely to come across. ScubaPro used to have some great technical posters which are detailed drawings of their range of regulators but since they upgraded (or IMHO, downgraded ) their website I can't find them any more.
Having now taken the ScubaPro regs on holiday I've discovered a difference between them and the Mares. The ScubaPro seems to work on two levels, If breathing normally everything is fine but if you're breathing hard, you have to work hard to get an initial half lungful then all of a sudden you get a rush of air. This doesn't happen with the Mares. The other thing is I like to dive upside-down sometimes (actually quite a lot) and again the Mares regs seem to deliver a more consistent airflow.
Mask
I use Mares single window, Amanda uses Tusa double window design. We've both replaced standard straps with neoprene headbands.
Fins
We both use Scubapro full foot for the pool, I use TechniSub Idea open heel & Amanda has some snazzy new Tusa Xpert Zooms with Typhoon boots for open water. My Typhoons wore out so I now have some from O'Neill.
Weight System
Amanda's Diva has integrated weight pockets, The HUB doesn't so I use a pocketed belt from Bowstone; this system provides extra protection against damage to the pool tiles. Amanda uses a traditional webbing belt for demonstration purposes. We both use a Bowstone harness when diving with drysuits.
Cylinder
We bought 12ltr steel Faber tanks with MDE valves which, until the Isle of Wight trip, have only seen use in the pool.
Environment Suit
For packing you can't beat the Aeroskin but it's only equivalent to 3mm of neoprene - great for warm water (>25°C) or as a lining for another suit. 3mm Scubapro shorties and Oceanic Flexia trilaminate drysuits.
Computer
Suunto Cobra - air integrated with Suunto SK-7 Compass and bayonet disconnect.
Accessories
Film camera: Sea & Sea MotorMarine II with YS60 strobe
Digital camera: Fuji F11 with housing and UW120 strobe
Reel: Started with a 'Buddy' reel from A P Valves which I found a bit fiddly so at the next
dive show I bought a lovely, no-nonsense stainless 50Mtr Jump reel
from Kent Tooling & Components Ltd. Amanda has a
Lumb Brothers MGE ratchet reel.
Torch: Ikelite & a C4 from UK
International
Wristwatch: My Casio Edifice flooded after a year, I lost my Citizen Promaster, I can't justify a
Breitling, so I now have a St Moritz Momentum.
Amanda's Apeks ladies is still going strong. I toyed with the idea of a Suunto D6 as a backup
but it doesn't have a sweep second hand (I need it for timing skills).
DSSMB: It's a sausage for pete's sake. I forget where this came from. Amanda has
a new 'crack'n'go' SMB.
Books: The reef guides of Helmut Debelius seem to be the most widely used. There are dog-eared copies in almost every dive resort we've been. We own
2, one for the Red Sea and one for the Indian Ocean.
Eyesight
follow the Eyesight link for more details on Glasses, Contact lenses and Prescription Masks.