Best online site to purchase dive accessories/gear?

[LeadTurn_SD]

Leisure Pro, DiveSports.com, ZeagleExpress, Scuba.com, and others I'm forgetting right now .... I've had very good experiences with equipment puchases from all of them. I've bought all my regulator sets (eight so far ) , all wetsuits ( 7 ), all masks and fins (5 sets), all BC's and BP/W's ( 7 ).... computer, dive watches..... dive camera.... you get the picture. Almost all of my family's gear was purchased online from various sources.

Best wishes.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

In no order of preference:
Scubatoys
Dive Right In Scuba
Dive Sports
Leisure Pro
Tech Diving Limited
Dive Rite Express

 

[tazrox]

In order of who has the most of my money:

leisurepro.com
scubatoys.com
diveseekers.com

In my experience, all have good prices and service. Only leisurepro has more of my business than my 2 LDS combined.

 

[darook]

I spread my money around pretty evenly between the several LDS's here in the frozen North and a few online. As others have mentioned, that for personal fit, the local touch is great. For stuff that really has no special fit find the best deal and get it done.

 

[herbdb]

I am a pretty new diver and have only recently begun diving locally. The art of maintaining a relationship with the LDS while trying to hold on to a buck is new to me. So far, I use the following as a guideline.

If I have to test an item for fit, or want to handle it before I purchase it, I buy locally. For example, I recently purchased a new mask and fins from my LDS. I wouldn't feel right testing masks and fins for fit and feel, then leaving and buying from someone else.

If the difference in purchase price is low, I also buy locally. I know they need to make a buck, but at the same time I try not to be frivolous.

I have made online purchases from LeasurePro and Divers-Supply. Both were good experiences.

 

[Abaco24]

Welcome to ScubaBoard.

There are a number of online providers of scuba gear. Some are small dive shops with an internet presence, others are heavily internet based.

Personally, there are a few items I will only buy from a local dive shop and other things I am willing to buy online. In the category of local dive shop: masks, computers and anything directly related to my immediate survival or need to be fitted. In the category of internet: dive flags, dive lights and fun t-shirts.

Having said that, the internet type things are things I would recommend holding off on until you know what you need/want. Well, get the t-shirts now.


tridacna, is that flameproof underwear or a flameproof wetsuit?

I 180 disagree.........

I would love to support my LDS and may if they can compete and lower their margins to somehow compete with the volume. I do everything I can to help out my LDS, but if I can get the same from an internet site I have to do that to save $$.

I personally offered my two local dive shops offers for packages on getting started and both said "we don't offer packages" so I ended up with 4 great deals on line, not LP. All packages fit and saved me $400 for 4 divers.

I spent $800 which I would have rather spent at my LDS.

I'm not going to apologize to an LDS for buying with other sources unless they break me a deal for being a local to compete with ST, I won't buy from LP - Damn Yankee's

It's the old adage , you help me I help you. I have $5K yet to spend .............for 4

 

[mike.everio]

me and my frineds Mike Everio , Alison Sharman ,Christopher Freville are found of diving and we are in practice from 22nd January 2004 , we want to know availability of all diving accessories , can we find all there ?

 

[Bonairetrip]

For me:
Scuba Toys
Leisure Pro
Cave Adventurers
Deep Sea SUpply

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

My 2 favorites are

Scubatoys and Leisurepro

You will find some who hate them, especially Leisurepro, but I have purchased and have had excellent experiences with both, especially Scubatoys.

Be careful w/ anything that needs fitting like a wet suit - its just a pain to send it back if it does not fit.

But the savings can be substancial - I just ordered a DAN Safety sausage; it was $80 at my LDS, and under $40 (w/shipping) from Scubatoys.

Yep, second that, scubatoys and Leisure Pro

 

[RonFrank]

I won't buy from LP - Damn Yankee's

Ummm, LP is owned by Jewish folk, but that is one ignorant statement!

I love LP, and credit them for starting the internet Dive gear movement, and putting competition into the retail scuba market.

I use Scuba Toys, TDL, and ebay to name a few. I am an equal opportunity shopper, you give me the best price, and I'll spend my money with you.... it's that simple.

Make sure you consider shipping costs and return policy's when shopping online. That's where it's hard to beat ScubaToys, but many online shops just keep getting better.

Also keep in mind that many accessories are not such a deal online. Try and give the LDS some business where you can even if it is difficult. In FL, it's not so hard, many shops there complete quite nicely with online shops, and many are in fact online.