Best Beginner Package For Scuba Gear

[Stu S.]

Oceanic Price Buster Package

This package is plenty good, just not deluxe. I have a diving family, and nobody gets deluxe gear. I couldn't afford it. We use this brand, and get a lot of it from the supplier shown.

 

[AZdiver1279]

Hi Guys,

I am finally going to take the plunge and buy some gear for an upcoming trip for me and my wife. What do you think is the best gear package on the internet right now? I am hoping to find some gear that will keep my wife and I happy, so we won't upgrade in the future. I am also trying to keep everything under $1200 if possible, maybe closer to $1000 (would be great). For this price, can me and my wife get some decent gear in a bundled package? What do you recommend?

I've seen good package deals at times on Find Scuba Gear and Diving Gear at the World's Largest Scuba Equipment and Dive Equipment Retailer! and Buy scuba gear, scuba diving and snorkeling equipment, and everything underwater from LeisurePro.com

 

[Killer&Griller]

Oceanic Price Buster Package

This package is plenty good, just not deluxe. I have a diving family, and nobody gets deluxe gear. I couldn't afford it. We use this brand, and get a lot of it from the supplier shown.

That is the package I was thinking about from Oceanic also... just a little cheaper....

 

[sammyman]

Oceanic Price Buster Package

This package is plenty good, just not deluxe. I have a diving family, and nobody gets deluxe gear. I couldn't afford it. We use this brand, and get a lot of it from the supplier shown.

That looks really nice actually. I am thinking along those lines for quality and for price. In fact, the environmentally sealed is a bonus compared to other stuff I was looking at in the same price range.... Thanks!

 

[Stu S.]

Sam, you'll find packages that cost a little less. There is a price point where "store brand" or other little-known gear enters the package. That's safe and sanitary, but has low resale value.

For my daughter, I purchased gear we could sell if she lost interest. Her extra-small BC was not going to fit me! Fortunately, there has been no need to sell. She is an active diver four years later.

Good luck with it.

 

[Damselfish]

If you just want to get going cheap an package can work out, especially since you'll come out ahead over rentals soon enough. But if your goal is to not upgrade, a predefined packages might not be a good idea. It's unlikely to be what you would pick out individually with good research, and in a year you are likely to wind up disliking some piece of it. Lots of places do "packages" where you pick what you want and they discount the package, though the deals you can get are of course going to depend on the brands included.

 

[dsmclaughlin]

Don't forget to look into getting your gear serviced - where, how often and how much. For instance, do you have a local dive shop that is an authorized servicer and won't void the warranty, what will they charge, and how does that cost compare with shipping it back to the manufacturer. (I do know people who got an unpleasant surprise when it came time to find an authorized servicer for a much-loved regulator, as in, there is no local service available.) Just one more thing to put on the spreadsheet when you're comparing packages. :deal:

 

[shoturtle]

Shoturtle,

LP prices are usually still marked up pretty good, don't you think? Take an example of what Rstofer listed above for gear from Oceanic......



LP on the Delta 4 / FDX10 for $439
Oceanic Delta 4 FDX10 Diaphragm Regulator with Environmental seal, Black with Swivel

Oceanic Alpha 8 Octopus, Yellow for $115
Oceanic Alpha 8 Octopus, Yellow

Same prices from ST....... $439 and $115

You should be able to package that together for quite a bit less from an Oceanic dealer like myself and I am sure other shops price accordingly, no? I package those two myself for around $410, together. I get the online purchasing but an LDS will still work with you most of the time. Then again, maybe I just see it a bit different having both a store and internet sales. Either that or I have excepted I will never retire from what I make selling dive gear....

My point is it still pays to shop around, there are better prices on the net then LP or ST most of the time....... Just find a retailer that isn't worried about building his 200 1/2. (used to be 401 before our present downturn)

That is the list, but they do packages, and you will most likely get a better price. compare apples to apples, not apples to oranges. Package price to package price, list price to list price.

I do agree to shop around. I would look at all the big dealers to find the best deal.

 

[GrandpaScuba]

Aeris is currently sponsoring a package that comes in right around $750.

 

[shoturtle]

That oceanic package is pretty good, it does the job, like others have said, not deluxe, but they can put a deluxe package together if you want.