u/fctrad

​I read that Raja Ampat has pretty warm waters (maybe a little colder in some areas), and I was thinking of diving only with my 2.5 mm shorty, thin leggings, and a 1.5 mm neoprene jacket (which is almost like a full wetsuit, but in separate pieces). I usually wear that combination in warm waters like the Caribbean or the Philippines; in Bali, I did have to rent a full wetsuit, though. However, I notice that almost everyone wears a full suit in Raja Ampat. Will I be okay with my gear? Or should I buy or rent the wetsuit at the liveaboard?

For context: I've been diving for 7 years, and I've considered buying my own BCD several times. I usually dive only once a year (~20 dives per trip, and I usually travel long flights). I always rent the BCD, octopus, and sometimes the long/thick suit (I only own a 1.5 mm shorty).
In December I'm going to my first liveaboard in Raja Ampat and I thought this must be a good time to buy my own BCD.

To the point: which travel BDCs are good for women? (I'm 5'3" and I weigh 128 lbs). I'd prefer if it has integrated weight with a quick-release mechanism, since I tried that once or twice and it really made a difference. I always end up with the weight belt digging into me and I feel really uncomfortable. Also, sometimes the BCDs from the dive shops are not in the best shape or end up being too big or too small. I've also considered a BPW, but one of the reasons I want my own BCD is to have several pockets to carry my ever-growing gear.

Hi guys! I'm kind of worried because I'm travelling to Raja Ampat in December for my first liveaboard experience ever (yay!) and I couldn't be more excited, BUT I bought my Suunto D5 computer last year (my old Mares broke during the trip and there were not many options available where we were) and I'm not happy at all with the battery life. My boyfriend has the Shearwater Tern and it has WAY BETTER battery life. He can go days without charging it! I have to charge mine even between dives. If I did a 3rd dive, the battery wouldn't last.

On the liveaboard, we'll be doing about 4 dives a day. I know I can charge the computer in my cabin between dives, but I'm wondering if that will be a hassle, if I'll actually have enough time, or what if I forget. It also worries me that with so many devices to charge (two computers, camera batteries, torch batteries, etc.), we won't have enough sockets or time for everything.

I was considering buying a new computer (probably the Shearwater Tern, since I know how it works and it's pretty good), but I wanted to think it through first. I paid a high price for my Suunto D5 (more than it was actually worth, but I was in a remote Indonesian city and it was what it was) and I've only used it on one dive trip!

Any advice? Thanks a lot!