A Good Price for AUP Setup

[synewave]

Hi, I've read on some threads on the forums that a good deal on Hollis gear should involve a decent discount. Any idea what sort of price represents a good deal for the following kit?

Hollis HD200 BCD
Hollis 212 Reg with either DC1 or DC2
Hollis 321 Octopus
Hollis 4mm kevlar gloves
Hollis 100' finger spool reel
Hollis M1 Mask
Hollis Yellow F1 Bat Fins
Hollis Led 6 Main Torch
Hollis Led 3 backup torch
Oceanic Veo 3.0 dive computer
Oceanic Wrist compass
Oceanic Scuba Cargo bag
Oceanic Neo boots

Thanks.


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[Phil_C]

Hi Synewave - I am afraid I can't comment on what would be a good deal for that kit in your part of the world, but based on your profile would throw in a word of caution.

It seems you haven't dived yet, and so firstly don't know you will take to it, but also have no experience of what sort of kit you will actually like and get on with. I would be inclined to suggest you do your open water training and try out different kit, different BCD's, fins and so on, then decide what you like and want to buy. You can invest an awful lot of money in kit when you start to then either find out that it actually doesn't suit you or doesn't suit your style of diving.

Or even worse, heaven forbid, that diving doesn't suit you full stop.

I'm sure plenty of people will come along and say go for it - buy the kit, but trying a variety of kit whilst training if you can, and then renting for a couple of dives after training can give you a much better idea of what you want and like, and can save some costly mistakes or replacements early in your diving career.

Good luck with the training and enjoy your diving - Best - P

 

[Jim Lapenta]

$500 would be a good deal. $250 would be a great one! No idea what all that would be selling for in Japan. Check prices on Leisure Pro and go from there. And just who says you should get a decent, if any kind of discount? That's really up to the dealer.

 

[synewave]

Thanks for your advice Phil. The Instructor who I've found to teach my OW course has kit that I'm able to use. So I agree that I don't have to rush into a new kit purchase.

Jim, Thanks for sending me your book yesterday. I've learned a lot from the first three chapters

Regarding who says I deserve a discount, it's not that I think I'm more worthy than anyone else, it was from reading a thread on here (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/457664-hollis-dc1-2-212-vs-hog-d1-2-a.html#post6787021), which I think I kind of generalised in my head.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond to a noob's question.

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[Jim Lapenta]

Once you get to the chapter on choosing gear I think you'll see that matching brands is not always a deal, even with a discount that some shops offer. There are items in that package that will work with everyone. Just not at the same time. Fit is critical in many areas and while that all may be good stuff you could end up with items in that package that don't fit properly, cause discomfort and end up in fact costing you any discount when you have to replace them. I admit I am almost a walking billboard for HOG. At least dry. But mask, fins, hood, gloves, and some accessories are other brands because that is what works for me. Diving wet I'm a mutt. Especially sidemount. And depending on whether I'm having fun or teaching a course.

I'd also be careful of falling into the discount trap. People will say you can get serious discounts if you go for a same line package of dang near everything. Or the shops will have incentives from mfg's that allow them to do this or offer gimmicky extras like "free parts for life". And for a very small minority of divers these might be ok. But for most there is something in there they had or wanted to replace but did or could not. And so the settled for what they have. They manage to make it work most times but are not happy with it. The dealers are quite satisified.

I dive a variety of gear because that is what is optimal for me and I don't mind telling someone that what I sell is not always their best choice. Because it isn't. I'd rather be honest and lose a sale than have someone mad at me for pushing them into a piece of gear that benefits me more than them. So I realized last night after thinking it over that my first reply was short and kinda snarky sounding. Did not mean it that way. Just get tired of seeing new divers being pushed into things that they should not be. And talked into choices that are not the best for them. All to save them a few dollars, at least that is what you are told they are doing. In reality it may end up costing them far more down the road. It's what happened to me. I spent several thousand on gear when I got certed that I was told was the best. Even though it became apparent early on what my interests were and the shop was told of them. Out of all that I have a pair of fins and my back up back up prescription mask left. Everything else was sold in less than a year and a half or is gathering dust on a shelf. Had I been more informed or guided properly I'd have saved that several thousand dollars and not had to buy everything all over. I am fortunate in that I am able to get what I need when I need it and have multiples for most of it that I use for teaching and the different types of dives I do. Not everyone can do that. So better to take the time to find what works and not be swayed by brands and deals. They often end up costing you far more in the end.
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[synewave]

Thanks for the detailed reply Jim! I'll look forward to that chapter in your book

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[Searcaigh]

I have to ask, what does AUP represent, I am not familiar with that acronym?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

American Underwater Products, parent company of Hollis, Oceanic, Aeris.

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[Searcaigh]

Thanks Jim, too many acronyms to keep up with these days