Do NOT rent regulators

[Jupiter31]

So what you are saying is that a majority of the new divers lack the ability to read and research products properly to make an informed decision.

I can buy into that..

I only used rental gear for about 1 day of my "training" Then I was on my own gear. I went with the XS RG200 TriMetal as it had excellent reviews and for the price point was not too cheap and not too expensive. It definately breathes easier than my wifes Tusa which we purchased at the same time. I was also urged to get a Cochran computer. I said no and stated that after my research, I would like the TUSA IQ700. To this day I am very happy I made my decision and did my research because I now own 5 IQ700s and only need 1 PC hookup for the lot (the whole family dives the same computer).

Now after I have done 60+ dives and seen everything from full face setups to rebreathers, would I change? No. I may look at a Posideon later on in life but for now that is definately overkill.

Now back on Topic.. Rental gear. Perhaps its the fact that I have seen the gear across the counter that brings me to my belief that its just not good stuff. Its upper lower end products and more times than not, they have leaks around the primaries. Its kinda funny to see the DM and the rental group with their little trail of bubbles oozing out while the wife and kids and I only have our exhaust bubbles..

I dont think I could use rental gear and have peace of mind. I would rather just get new gear and enjoy. To each their own, but I think the OP was just stating that he was surprised that people do use rental gear and was stating that he opposes it..

I agree.. I oppose it.. I know poeple that only dive a couple times a year. thats their thing.. We do about 30-40 per year.. Renting would not be cost effective for us.

No; I think you miss my point -

Anyone who can read and has the internet has the ability to do basic research - the fact is that many new divers end up replacing some of their equipment as they advance in the sport.

Maybe what they originally purchased is not "bad" - but for instance, maybe they later find out they want a different reg, one that is easier breathing, more high performance - whatever - maybe they bought a computer that is only for air and does not have nitrox capabilities - perhaps a more low profile BC; on and on.

My only point is perhaps it would have been better to rent for a while, take some time, and make a more informed buying decision.

I don't care how much research you do; nothing takes the place of experience when buying expensive life support equipment.

Even if you end up purchasing what you had originally planned, at least with some dives and experience under your belt, you feel better about the purchase.

I don't see problems w/ rental gear. And while I have had my own equipment since 1977, 2 years ago I purchased from an LDS an Atomic regulator that had seen previous use (less than a year) in their rental pool - no problems and I could not be more pleased; plus I saved a ton of money vs new.

 

[ReefHound]

Again I don't get it. For a casual diver you are recommending spending half a day or an evening preparing for the dive portion of a vacation. The dive portion might only be half a day for a couple of dives and just not that important in the scheme of things. Just doesn't make sense to spend that kind of time preparing for what is essentially a casual adventure. I don't have that kind of time in my life - particularly just before a vacation. In the days of vacation diving I wasn't travelling to a dive location I was travelling to a vacation destination and if there was diving available I might go diving. Spending money to purchase regs and spending time making sure that they work (in the casual vacation dive situation) just does not make sense to me.

You'll have plenty of time when you're dead. A few hours checkout in the pool beforehand is most important for the occasional diver who only does a couple of dives on vacations. Not just for checking the equipment but also refreshing their skills in a relatively safe and controlled environment.

 

[ReefHound]

No; I think you miss my point -

Anyone who can read and has the internet has the ability to do basic research - the fact is that many new divers end up replacing some of their equipment as they advance in the sport.

Maybe what they originally purchased is not "bad" - but for instance, maybe they later find out they want a different reg, one that is easier breathing, more high performance - whatever - maybe they bought a computer that is only for air and does not have nitrox capabilities - perhaps a more low profile BC; on and on.

As if...

In my experience, it's the divers who are most experienced and knowledgeable that go through equipment turnover the fastest. The occasional diver is most likely to buy a reg and just stick with it, for better or for worse. It's the active diver who's most likely to be chasing the latest and greatest reg that is .2 ounces lighter and 2psi lower cracking pressure.

 

[AndyDragon]

On the issue of the higiene of mouthpieces. Most complaints revolve around this aspect or torn mouthpieces that are difficult to hold in the mouth. Quite frankly, it's not a major investment to carry a mouthpiece and a couple of zip ties. Practically all regs on the market take one of two standard sizes. I don't believe any operator will complain about you doing a temporary swap. Especially if you justify it with a nicer mouthpiece like a comfi-bite or molded one.

As a service to our students, we offer them a choice for the regulators they use during their course...they can buy a mouthpiece and a handfull of zip-ties for $15 or pick one out of the 'spit-bucket'. No rentals have mouthpieces on them. Most rental customers now have their own mouthpiece as well. Those that choose the spit-bucket mouthpieces often ask about cleaning and we show them the method of sanatization. I would say 90-95% of the students pay the $15 for their own. People seem to like the idea that they don't have to share something which is about as personal as a toothbrush...

 

[Crush (Virginia USA)]

I resort dive only and I've always rented and I've never had a problem. I've talked to dive shop owners about this and from my experience they are pretty OCD about servicing the regs (independent shops and not the big sports outlets with a small corner devoted to the sport). My guess is the last thing they want is to have a death on their hands due to inadequate service of the equipment.

On the other hand, I've had a friend or two that have owned and not been quite enthusiastic about keeping up the service on their equipment.

Not that I'd be any worse or any better, but I think that having a professional look after the equipment is a better option for me.

 

[Darnold9999]

Half a day, Darnold? I would think an hour in the pool would be plenty to make sure everything is working right.

For someone who is going to dive maybe once or twice on a week-long vacation, I definitely see your point. There's more than a few divers, though, who schedule trips specifically around diving, with the plan of getting in a couple of dives every day of the vacation. We're flying to Fiji next year, and you can bet with investing that kind of money and travel time into a dive vacation, we're going to spend a little time before we leave making sure everything is ready.

Even making a weekend trip to Mexico, I'd invest the time to checking things out before we go.

In your situation, renting makes sense. For those that do own their gear and are preparing for a dive vacation, I still think it makes sense to check things out before leaving, especially if they, like us, aren't that far from someplace like a dive shop where they can do a pool dive to make sure everything still works fine.

Rather like checking the oil, antifreeze, tire pressure, etc. on the car before a long road trip.

No possibility I am going to get to a pool, test the gear and get back in anything less than two hours - more likely three. In fact none of the LDS have a pool so it is much more difficult up here. You need to schedule your "test" when they are doing a class. Tried it once to test my camera - took the better part of an evening just to get in the water and take a few pictures of the bottom.

To be clear, I own 4 regs and now that I am diving more seriously and doing dive vacations I take at least two of them with me, but when I didn't dive seriously there is no chance I would take regs on a three week vacation half way around the world to dive one or twice.

You'll have plenty of time when you're dead. A few hours checkout in the pool beforehand is most important for the occasional diver who only does a couple of dives on vacations. Not just for checking the equipment but also refreshing their skills in a relatively safe and controlled environment.

Love this one - this is the "dangerous sport" attitude I just love about some divers. While it is possible and pretty simple to kill yourself diving it is also pretty easy to go diving on vacation and have a great time and come nowhere near killing yourself. Particularly if you are comfortable in the water.

Yes it is a good idea to get an easy brush up dive in before you do anything - but not doing so is extremely unlikely to kill you and neither is having a rental reg. Again - particulalry if you are very comfortable in the water.

 

[fnfalman]

I prefer to dive with my own gears because I'm more in tune with it. But I don't have a problem with renting gears from a reputable dive shop or resort.

 

[Jupiter31]

As if...

In my experience, it's the divers who are most experienced and knowledgeable that go through equipment turnover the fastest. The occasional diver is most likely to buy a reg and just stick with it, for better or for worse. It's the active diver who's most likely to be chasing the latest and greatest reg that is .2 ounces lighter and 2psi lower cracking pressure.

Guilty!!!

But I still maintain that the time to invest $500 - 2000 in dive gear is NOT during or soon after the basic certification class

 

[AZ Jim Diver]

Personal choice. I bought a Scubapro MK 5 over 30 years ago and still use it without problem. I have clips on my BC for my reg and computor and know exactly where everything is at all times, in the dark / eyes closed...

 

[Belce]

I am planning to buy a regulator set for the first time and before reading this sanitation was not a concern.

It still isn't...