Black Friday BCD/REG package opinions

[JustinJRL]

Hey all!

I'm looking at packages on sale these next few weeks, mainly for price/convenience.

Perhaps not the most sexy of options and I think based on my reading many will argue to buy things a la carte instead of a package. I find that daunting but mainly when I add things up it seems like I'm saving a good chunk of money!

One package I'm looking at:

Oceanic Oceanpro Package | Vancouver Diving Locker

If you believe that you shouldn’t have to sacrifice performance for price, the Alpha 8 Sport is for you. The Alpha 8 Sport is the top-performing regulator in

www.divinglocker.ca

OceanPro BCD, Alpha 8+Sp5, Alpha 8 Octo, pressure gauge for 1209$CAD (subract about 40% for USD!)

Mares has a package with the Rover line, which is coming in around the price, if that matters.

I've got other hobbies, a wife and two kids who are non divers, and I do one big dive trip a year, either to Indonesia or Mexico generally. 20-25 dives a year if I'm lucky! One day I'll dive more, and can invest in better gear at that time. I've been quite happy with the basic rental gear I've been using.

Thoughts? Hate mail? Roast this idea? Let me hear it.

 

[Jake 10]

IMHO: You don't need to buy a package. You can start buying what you really want and rent the rest of the gear. My first item was a regulator and rented the wetsuit, BCD, and Computer. The second item I bought was a computer and only rent BCD and wetsuit. Eventually I purchased a BCD and after one year ended selling it to buy the one, I really wanted. The wetsuit I found on a thrift store.

 

[JustinJRL]

I should have mentioned I have wetsuit, fins/mask and a computer already , which i find essential.

If I start by individually adding BCD, reg etc , I do forfeit the financial benefit if I don't have the full set. Gear rental for a week liveaboard can easily be 300$+ without much discouny unless you have a full set.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

since you travel, get a bpw or the sp hydros pro. I would also recommend getting a high-end used regulator and have it serviced, or do it yourself. you'll get better quality for the same price as a mid-range new rig. expensive is not necessarily better.

it took me two marriages to figure that out.

 

[Bubblesong]

Look into Deep 6 first, i love my regs from them, and if you want to learn to service your gear they are super helpful. This could be key skill if taking on trips.