What to buy

Question
I will be taking a beginners class in May and need advise on perchasing gear.  I know just about what I want but I am seeking outside advise.  It seems that the local dive shops are only giving me advise on what they sell and most are limited.  It would be great if you could give me points, good or bad, about my selections.  I'm not looking for top of the line but I want to be safe.  Then again I'm just starting out and I can see where this can get beyond my budget.  One thing at a time.  The dive shop I have chosen will let me use their equiptment all through to my certification but I will have at least the bisics to start with.  Let me mention that I live in Michigan.

Are on line stores good?  I did get these names and prices from Scuba.com.  Well, this is what I have so far... Boots - Oceanic 5mm, $35.  Mask - SX Scuba Fusion 3 window w/purge, $52.(3-4 window? purge or no purge?)  Fins - Split I think.  Undecided.  Snorkel - Dry? (will it hold air and pull on my mask?  Semi dry?  I like the bottom purge) Undecided.  Regulator - Oceanic Alpha 8 PX3, $240 - or - XS Scuba Seaair Tri-metal, $300.(I like the XS. Really like the Atomic B2 but is a bit pricey for me)  BC - Oceanic Isla $400.  Wet suit - Henderson Hyperstretch 7mm farmer, $230 and jacket, $230.

Please let me know what you think.  Any comments will be greatly appriciated!

Answer
Hello Tracy, a very good question and it is a question many dive shops face today.  The issue is do I buy my gear from the dive shop or from an online store that may be cheaper.

To address your initial question:  yes, the gear you have picked out looks fine and I personally know nothing to dissuade you from anything you have selected.  That's just my opinion though and I don't know everything there is to know about every piece of gear.

This is why dive shops tend to focus on a few product lines.  They know that gear very well, can help fit it on you, and ensure you get the right gear for the range of diving you will do.  They quite likely also service that same gear.  (By the way, I do not work in dive shop equipment sales, I'm an instructor).

By purchasing on line, you might not get the opportunity to try on different BC's, dive them in a pool, and ensure they fit and feel comfortable (two of the most critical issues when selecting dive gear).  Some manufacturers also do not honor warranties for equipment purchased at on line stores.

Think of it like buying a car on the Internet and only getting to see pictures but never test drive it.  Except with dive gear, it involves your safety underwater.

You made some good points in your question.  Purge mask, dry snorkel, split fins.  Many of these are quite personal to the user and you just don't know until you try them (fins and mask in particular).  Dry snorkels do not hold air; they prevent water from entering the intake tube while at the surface only.  Snorkel bottom purges make it easy to clear it but how much snorkeling are you planning on doing? Purges on masks are OK but it should not be leaking if it fits well and you should rarely need it.  They are handy if both your hands are full.  Split fins are great.  But some folks don't tolerate them well.  In areas of strong currents they are not as good as a well designed non-split fin.  The regs you named are all good brands and appear to be fine for initial regs.  I think you mean the Oceanic Islander BC?  I would be using a BC like that for Caribbean diving trips.  Its light weight and compact.  However, for Lake Michigan diving its 14 pound integrated weight capacity is probably not going to be enough for you.  I would be seeking a more sturdy BC model.  The 7 mm wetsuit is a good pick for your area.  Don't forget the hood and gloves.  It may not be in your price range, but for Lake Michigan diving I would be looking at a dry suit instead.

I hope this helps and I'd still encourage you to stick with a dive shop on your initial gear purchases since this is a critical purchase that may decide how much you continue to dive in the future.  Owning your own gear is one of the surest ways to ensure you become a life long diver.  Make the dive shop work for you.  Make them convince you why you should buy from them and not online.  Good luck!  Jesse.