Divers are always asking me what I like to dive with so here it is.
Open water single tank diving.
Open Water and Cave/Overhead Envirement Doubles diving.
Computers
I have gotten in the habit of wear two computers, about the only time that I don't would be in the pool. Over the years dive computers just like the rest of the computers in our lives have changed a lot. I prefer wrist mounted dive computer for two reasons: (#1) I've had a watch since I was a teenager so looking and my wrist for info is just muscle memory, (#2) Wrist computers are attached to your arm so it can move to any gear set up I use. I wear a Aqualung i450 dive watch/dive computer as part of my everyday wear and for diving. My second comupter is a Shearwater Perdix. Both of these computer are air intergrated and work with the Aqualung transmitter.
Wetsuits/Drysuit
LavaCore hooded vest almost always. If you need a hood, get a hooded vest. The problem with hoods is that they become untucked then that cold water starts pouring in. Also if you need a hood an extra layer on your chest and back, especially your back to slow down the water coming through the zipper. Don't need a hood just pull it down then you just have a nice turtle neck to keep you warm.
Boots: Hey I have really soft feet, so I wear hard soled wetsuit boots (5mm Manta). If you get hard soled boots you will most likley change the size fins that you need to a size bigger. The larger size fins works out great for me because I can wear the same fins for both my wetsuit and drysuit.
I love the AquaLung 5mm AquaFlex jumpsuit. If you are trying to get one wetsuit for NC diving the 5mm is a great place to start. Add a hooded vest to add months to your dive season.
In Bonaire we usually do 4 to 5 hours of diving per day in 82 deg. so I usually wear a 2mm shortie (HydroFlex 2mm)and that trusted hooded vest. If I'm only doing a couple of dives a day in warm water then my swimsuit and a rash guard works great. If your getting a rash guard make sure you get one that keep you from getting sun burnt.
Colder Water or really long dives:
I have a 8mm semidry (8mm SolAfx)that is amazing when my 5mm and hooded vest isn't going to cut it. The 8mm semidry has a hood attached. The small amount of water that does get in heats up and collects on your back the hot/warm rolls around in you suit, man it's great.
Super Cold Water:
When I must dive in super cold water I go to my drysuit. I have had a my Fusion Bullet for a number of years it has served me well.
Boots: Hey I have really soft feet, so I wear hard soled wetsuit boots (5mm Manta). If you get hard soled boots you will most likley change the size fins that you need to a size bigger. The larger size fins works out great for me because I can wear the same fins for both my wetsuit and drysuit.
I love the AquaLung 5mm AquaFlex jumpsuit. If you are trying to get one wetsuit for NC diving the 5mm is a great place to start. Add a hooded vest to add months to your dive season.
In Bonaire we usually do 4 to 5 hours of diving per day in 82 deg. so I usually wear a 2mm shortie (HydroFlex 2mm)and that trusted hooded vest. If I'm only doing a couple of dives a day in warm water then my swimsuit and a rash guard works great. If your getting a rash guard make sure you get one that keep you from getting sun burnt.
Colder Water or really long dives:
I have a 8mm semidry (8mm SolAfx)that is amazing when my 5mm and hooded vest isn't going to cut it. The 8mm semidry has a hood attached. The small amount of water that does get in heats up and collects on your back the hot/warm rolls around in you suit, man it's great.
Super Cold Water:
When I must dive in super cold water I go to my drysuit. I have had a my Fusion Bullet for a number of years it has served me well.