Conflicted: Online v LDS

[Rob9]

Hello,

Doing my OW certification in a 2 weeks and I am using hire gear but if all goes well I would like to purchase my own scuba gear.

I have done plenty of research from both locals that dive in this area and online and I have come up with...

Mares Isotherm
Seaquest Balance
Apeks XTX200
Apeks XTX40/50? octo
Halcyon SPG
Suunto D6

This type of setup seems to be what a lot of people are using around here and my LDS services these products.

I am feeling a little guilty (not sure if I should) but I think I might purchase this gear from an online store. I have quoted this from my LDS (with discount) and from an online retailer and the difference in price is nearly a couple of grand and I don't think I can afford the extra money to support my local store. I will be using my local store to book/pay for dives, equipment service, air fills and other general items but not for this equipment.

Obviously you can try on gear in your LDS and when buying online you have to be more careful and it makes it harder to return items if there are size issues etc.

I have had a lot of advice from my LDS on sizing and my choice of gear but that just makes me feel worse now that I am potentially looking elsewhere for my gear purchase...

 

[paddler3d]

I've actually used a lot your top 4 items. Solid choice. It is gear you can build upon. It is gear you will not be replacing because it is 'crap'.

Save a couple of bones and go with the 40 octo.

Not to be ignorant, but where is Ballarat?

You're getting and Isotherm, so I'm assuming you're diving in colder water. Just make sure you can use your computer with gloves on and that is easy to put on with gloves on, so on so forth. Suunto makes a good product, but most of them don't have user replaceable batteries. Get a computer where you can replace the batteries.

I doubt Halcyon actually makes the SPG. So I wouldn't get too wrapped around the axle on that one. Just get a good, aka not cheap, SPG and you'll be fine.

I get gear from both my various LDS's and online, mostly online.

Ask your LDS if they will price match what you find online. Keep in mind that brick and mortar store may have more overhead, but it is worth the ask!

Good luck!

 

[Kern]

Not to be ignorant, but where is Ballarat?

Ballarat, Victoria - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[vladimir]

Hello,

Doing my OW certification in a 2 weeks and I am using hire gear but if all goes well I would like to purchase my own scuba gear.

I have done plenty of research from both locals that dive in this area and online and I have come up with...

Mares Isotherm
Seaquest Balance
Apeks XTX200
Apeks XTX40/50? octo
Halcyon SPG
Suunto D6

This type of setup seems to be what a lot of people are using around here and my LDS services these products.

I am feeling a little guilty (not sure if I should) but I think I might purchase this gear from an online store. I have quoted this from my LDS (with discount) and from an online retailer and the difference in price is nearly a couple of grand and I don't think I can afford the extra money to support my local store. I will be using my local store to book/pay for dives, equipment service, air fills and other general items but not for this equipment.

Obviously you can try on gear in your LDS and when buying online you have to be more careful and it makes it harder to return items if there are size issues etc.

I have had a lot of advice from my LDS on sizing and my choice of gear but that just makes me feel worse now that I am potentially looking elsewhere for my gear purchase...

You seem to have a grasp of the pros and cons already. I don't think getting advice that was freely offered obligates you to buy at your LDS, but it would be nice. And it will probably lubricate your future dealings. Why not show your LDS where the online price is and see if he can come (a lot) closer to it?

 

[Kern]

Mares Isotherm
Seaquest Balance
Apeks XTX200
Apeks XTX40/50? octo
Halcyon SPG
Suunto D6

Isotherm. good wet suit. depending on your cold tolerance may not be enough for winter down there.

Apeks XTX200. excellent reg. wouldn't pay the OZ price though. personally, in a double blind study, I couldn't tell the difference between a 50, 100 or 200.

Apeks XTX40/50? octo. either would be fine. I'd chose on price differential.

Halcyon SPG. probably comes from the same factory in Italy as most other brass & glass SPGs.

Suunto D6. as I age my eyes are dimming, so no small watch like computers for me

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Don't buy anything right now. You're not even certified yet.
You will almost certainly be throwing money away if you insist on buying that gear now.
Revisit this issue after you figure out what type of gear you like, i.e., after certification and after a few rentals (if possible).

 

[noreastDIVER84]

I personally buy most from my LDS, although I have bought a few items online. My big ticket items I usually buy from the LDS, the little things I buy online. I usually get better prices on the little things from online sources. The bigger ticket items my LDS usually can do better on the prices for me and they do so because of my loyalty. My drysuit which has to be my biggest purchase so far, was listed at $1895, they were going to sell it at a sale price of $1595 not including the undergarments, boots, etc. I paid $1295 with the undergarments, rock boots, ankle weights, and the drysuit class. Not only did I get a great price, I was given the opportunity to pay them over time.

I also just bought a new bcd, I got the Sherwood axis, and they took my SeaQuest ProQD that I bought from them 4 years ago and gave me a $100 credit for it. The original price on the New BCD was $399, and it is running for around $470 online. So my LDS was cheaper and took in my old bcd on trade.

I have bought a safety marker, strobes for my camera, gaiters for the drysuit, and a few other items online. The little things seem to be cheaper online in my case.

I am not opposed to buying online, but I have gotten better prices and the opportunity to pay things off through my dive shop. They also take things in on trade, and have worked out other arrangements for payment as well. So sometimes it is better to support your LDS. In your case it sounds like it is more expensive, but see if they can do any better on the prices, or do a package deal. My LDS does package setups that are actually setup nicely and not using "bottom of the barrel" gear. They have complete BC, reg, computer, etc. setups. They range in price from $1200-$2500, they also will make changes to their packages if you have requests for certain items.

 

[paddler3d]

Don't buy anything right now. You're not even certified yet.
You will almost certainly be throwing money away if you insist on buying that gear now.
Revisit this issue after you figure out what type of gear you like, i.e., after certification and after a few rentals (if possible).

I agree with you about getting stuff after certification, but he hasn't really selected crappy stuff there. I don't agree that he'll be throwing away money. That is a good BC. He may upgrade to a BP/W set up down the road. The regs are top of the line. That is a real good computer. Small, but good.

 

[KeysCD]

I agree with Bubbletrouble, don't buy anything until you know what you need. Also, if you buy Aqualung,Apeks, Suunto on line, you are buying gray market items and will not have support from the manufacturer. Just saying.

 

[RJP]

the difference in price is nearly a couple of grand

I call "BS" on that.