I’ve only used Palancar Diving once, I usually use smaller ops and have never had a problem with the guides in Coz (yes they are not DM’s as we know them) but then our group was evenly matched and usually surfaced together.
Can’t comment on rental gear other than I wouldn’t use it from a US based op and certainetly not from a foreign op. Some of the tanks I’ve used were questionable. Best advice, Buy your own gear so you know what to expect!
Next time try Blue XT sea or Chucko diving, both good ops.