Any good places to buy gear in San Diego?

[stojakapimp]

Hi all.

So I'm new to scuba diving (just got my basic open water cert a few weeks ago) and I'm looking to buy new gear. I can't wait to get back out in the ocean, but I'd like to buy my own gear soon instead of renting a bunch of times.

Do any of you know of good places around San Diego to buy dive gear? My budget isn't extremely high, but I definately don't want my life to depend on something that's going to fail on me. I've looked at www.leisurepro.com and they have some cheap "get wet" packages for around $400, but are all those items junk? I've also looked around on craigslist for used gear, but would it be worth it for me to buy all new stuff?

Thanks for any help!
-Josiah

 

[LAJim]

Welcome to ScubaBoard:

I was where you were, more or less, last June when I started buying gear - and replacing new gear with even newer gear - as my diving evolved. I think most LDS operators will tell you that the cheapest regulator or BC they sell is perfectly safe for recreational diving. The real issue might be that you will develop a style of diving that is better suited to some types of gear and not others.

You might think about renting gear for a few months and apply your limited budget to a few boat dives where you don't have to worry about surf entries and can interact with more experienced divers.

The Marine Park at Avalon is also nice for beginning and intermediate cold water dives in kelp. You didn't say where you got certified. If it was in warm water you might consider a couple of dives real soon with a hired DM as "guide", as SoCal diving is different. Of course you probably were certified locally and know this.

Also consider setting up your ScubaBoad profile with info like where you've dived.

My $.02 worth.

Jim

 

[ShakaZulu]

welcome to the forum, refer to my post in this thread......buy right the first time and save money.

 

[jenazah]

Scuba.com is not that far from you. They're not in SD but I think it might worth the drive.

IMHO get a really good BC and Reg. If you only gonna do beach / shallower dive you can buy good computer later, just use the table. Other stuff like suit, gloves etc, as long as it fits you well don't worry about the price. The first time after I got certified I bought a cheap regulator, octo and cheap BC. Cost me about $400 total. They works fine, but less than a year later I ended up selling it on ebay and buy a better one.

I bought a lot of small stuff from Leisurepro, but I would never buy BC, Reg, or Computer from them. Get it from an authorized dealer.

 

[wetrat]

Hey Josiah, welcome to Scubaboard and the So Cal forum! I'm with LAJim - got certified last May with new gear and now I'm working to replace it with newer gear! No regrets though, cause buying gear is awesome!! Sometimes I have to sleep on the couch after a big purchase but that's another story.

That being said, maybe renting for a few months and saving for what you really need (OK... WANT) is a good idea. It's always good to sell toys you really aren't using to buy toys you will use... anybody wanna buy a nice road bike, lol! And don't let the hassle of renting keep you from diving. The main thing is, KEEP ON DIVING!!! The more you dive, the more you'll enjoy it!

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Mark Vlahos]

There are a number of board members who are doing a group dive at the Avalon underwater park at Casino Point on Catalina Island this Saturday. You are welcome to join us for a fun day of diving. There will be participants of all skill levels. There are also many of us who would be willing to answer equipment questions in person. I know that from San Diego Catalina is not the easiest place to get to, but it is not impossible. Look in THIS thread for information. You will be welcomed to the dive with open arms.

Mark Vlahos

 

[LAJim]

Another thought. Buy thermal protection, mask, snorkel, and fins now - this will simplify gear rental and give you a start. Thermal is very important in SoCal - especially around now. You want a 7 mm wetsuit. A lot of people go with Henderson - its more expensive for a reason. Fit is very important - should be snug but not so as to cut off circulation. I saw someone nearly pass out at the Marine Park because her wet suit impaired breathing. Also you will need a hood and probably a 5/3 hooded vest this time of the year (layers). Booties - if beach diving consider the ones with tennis shoe soles. Select booties then fins to match - many new divers like split fins. Gloves - $20 special at Sport Chalet. Unfortunately the list here is over $400 already. But this gets you a base of the most personal gear items and you can add the rest in increments.

Jim

 

[TeqP]

Like you when I got certified in July 2004, I rented my gear and that got expensive quick, so I started to purchase items as my budget allowed. As I have been diving on a regular basis, my diving needs have changed which means upgrading equipment.

I am getting ready to sell my Mares BCD (size Large) and Mares regulator set. If you are interested in buying a gently used BCD and regulator set, let me know. But if you are looking for new gear, I purchased items from scubatoys.com, divers-supply.com and some used gear on eBay. Good luck with your decision and like someone else said...get out there and dive. It's too fun not to!

Phil

 

[stojakapimp]

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. I will probably end up renting a few times and then decide to splurge on some good items for myself once I know which ones I prefer. But if I can find some used items that are in good condition for a reasonable price then I'll take that route too. I appreciate the help

 

[scubanimal]

Stojakapimp,
Ocean Enterprises runs a tent sale every June & Sept there are usually some good deals there. Also, each year OE sells their rental gear, the high end stuff is ok for starting. San Diego Divers Supply is under new ownership and may have some good deals. Talk with the shops, usually once a year, many of them do a consignment day for used gear.

My suggestion is go talk to each of the shops and try to pin them down on real differences between the makes and models. Talk with some instructors who do not have vested interests in what you get, also talk to the repair guys, find out what they like and don't (be sure to ask why) and combine that with the type of diving you're planning on doing now and in the future. Oh, many of the instructors are encouraged to use current product lines which means they are frequently selling 1-2 year old gear.

I read somewhere that divers who do 30+ dives a year avg about $2000 a year in dive gear purchases, that means there's a lot of used gear out there as well.