Haha. Jom go diving laaa. Pool dive shoot rubbish at the bottom of PADE ah. lol.

Hm, for macro lens, I was looking at Subsee and Aquako. How much did you get your subsee +10 for?

You're using strobe for photos right? Currently I'm using china torch for my photos but looking to get a video light since I do some videos as well.

Your arm tray all bought it from HK right?

There are many dive centers in Tioman.
As already mentioned, Abect (NAUI courses) is awesome, he is building his new dive center right now and will be moving to the new place shortly when come opening season.
Tioman Dive Center (TDC) is also great for PADI courses, it's just next to Swiss Cottage chalet which is a great value-for-money place to stay too. These two are in Kampung Tekek.

You can also try Kampung Salang which is nearer to the dive sites. There's Marine Monkees and B&J there. Both are also good and reputable 5 star PADI dive centers.

Haha. Moving somewhere. In Tekek also. I'm also not sure. But you check his FB he posted some photos of the current renovation.
Will definitely visit this year when I'm free. Maybe mid of the year.

As above. We have already given some names of the dive center. You'll have to contact the dive center yourself to see which instructor/s you are more comfortable with. Some prefer mandarin speaking instructors, some prefer english speaking, some prefer locals, some prefer foreigners. Some like the instructor to be jovial, some like them strict. Generally those dive centers have pretty good and reputable instructors.

Both has their pros and cons. I prefer Tioman for diving and chillaxing. Perhentian more for partying and also chillaxing depending which beach you are on.

As ji3moon has brought up, perhentian you will be taking the speedboat, timing is quite flexible depending on the boat captain also. It's around 45 min or so to the island.
However, Tioman has ferry schedules which is quite a pain in the ass when it comes to Tioman ferry timing. Schedules are usually release the month before and most of the time the ferry isn't on time. It's about a 2 hours ferry ride to Tioman from the jetty.

I find Tioman is generally cheaper though.

Regarding public car park, you can refer to the Tioman thread: https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/749335/+200#bottom

We pretty much don't use the snorkel at all. So just rent all the necessary equipments for the course from the dive center. Only buy what you will use and need in the future.

Most of us usually get our mask first, some before (generally due to short sightedness hence needing power mask) and some after our course (different face/nose shape requires better fitting mask for easier equalization). Then move on to booties & fins, wetsuit, then either the camera first or reg and BCD.

Prices for masks range from rm100 to rm500 or so. What's important is that it fits your face. Last time can get rm50 mask (before currency went down the drain) and it was one of my favourite mask. If you're looking for a mask, check out Scubatex shop, they have some of the cheapest mask around. If you have a very Asian face, check out Tusa brand. Details of shops and brands all on first page of thread.

As for camera, not advisable during your course. Your buoyancy will most of the time be terrible in the beginning. However, if you have it, then just bring along. If you're good and your instructor allows you to bring it for diving, then you can bring it for like the last few leisure dives before the end of your trip.

Some do it together with their OW certification. Some do it shortly after. Some do it after a year. Some never get it at all lol (not recommended though).

I think a good number of dives so that you are more comfortable and familiar with diving, then go for your AOW. It can be anywhere between 10 dives to 30-50 dives, depending on individuals. Some are naturally good uw, while some are still very panicky and blur even after 10-20 dives.

But nevertheless, taking up AOW and other specialty course as much as possible is good for you as it does gives you more knowledge on diving and you'll also learn from there, other than your own experiences.

Redang diving is quite meh if you ask me. It's very commercialized but some DC if they know you, might bring you to more untouched dive sites.

What's your budget like? You can check the respective resort websites for their package price. Redang resorts are all sold in packages (which includes ferry transfer, rooms, food, and sometimes snorkeling trips). Some resorts provide diving packages for their customers too.

Yes all still in operation. Check the first page for list of dive shops in klang valley.

If you want affordable one, you can check out Scubatex or scuba station (both abang adik shops). They got new branch in subang parade somewhere.

Scuba Warehouse have quite a range of products. Their prices are quite alright. But the brands they carry are also on the higher priced side. You can pay them a visit and see if they have any prescription mask to your liking.

I'm not sure about the pricing now, but I used to have a prescription mask made at about RM350 >8 years ago.

Yes. Scuba Station had moved to their new place in Subang Parade.

I found Scuba Warehouse to be pretty good with their pricing for the brands they carry. And they do have a wide range of the popular brands as well.

How did you find the sola lights compared to big blue?
Was at prestige the other day and checked out this fisheye fix neo light from Japan. It was pretty good and can change heads and stuffs. Good size too. But mahal like sola

Now looking at fantasea new lights

Yup. Got new light now. Even better than their previous model. It's a bit big compared to fix neo though but it has various modes, red light and uv light as well. Can't remember the model name but you can check fantasea website for it.

Waiting for money. Hahaha.

Dunno yet. Haven't look into it since no money.

drbarbarian

Cause got leng lui kua.

I don't know about comparing the exact models but generally you shouldn't worry too much if you go with Mares regulators.

If you want to ask more about Mares, you can try speaking to people from Siput Scuba or Rainbow Runners.

You either buddy with another diver or the DM and make new friends by the end of the trip.

I prefer Tioman to Perhentian anytime.

UW I definitely prefer Tioman. Accommodation, there's a range from budget to average to Berjaya.
It's duty free. And there are diff beaches for you to go to for diff atmosphere.

As for Perhentian, there's big and small island. Partying is probably much more better over there.
But I find they do not have much good dive sites other than the few popular ones.

I don't know why your friend said Tioman is expensive but I don't find it expensive at all. The only drawback is the ferry services.