Hey Chris, are these the fins you are talking about?
http://www.leisurepro.com/prod/APLFB...sku=APLFBPYLLR
And does OEX stock these? If so, got a price? I'd rather buy from a shop than online for every obvious reason.
I live in Murrieta and thus am taking the classes local. I like to support the local shops as much as possible. But I consider OEX local and have had nothing but great experiences with them and would be more than happy to buy some gear from them!
I checked out the ocean enterprises store and that place looks insanely huge. Their class offerings are unreal. As stated previously, I'd like to buy from OEX and/or my local shop as much as possible. But if they don't have what I need, I know where to look!
I've read glass with silicon gaskets on the masks is the 2 biggies to look for and then it all comes down to fit and personal preference. I don't like the idea of a purge valve as it just seems like it would make equalizing a pain in the ass. It also seems like a great place for the mask to implode! The 2 areas I feel strongly about putting money into right now are my mask and fins. Does that seem about right? I'll get decent gloves and boots and may just bring a bendy straw from mc donalds for my snorkel (j/k), but I've snorkeled a bunch and having crap fins and goggles drove me nuts.
Thanks yet again, this info is great and its awesome to be able to come on here and get all kinds of help with somewhat random things!