I am a recreational diver. I dive 3-5 times a year, mostly either on travel trips to Caribbean or Mexico, or in the Gulf doing some rig dives and spearfishing. Up until now I have always rented equipment, but now I want to buy. I want something that is reliable and quality equipment...and of course at a low price. What are some recommendations? Can I get a legitimate setup for under $500? I have seen some packages at a couple of internet sites for this price, and have an offer to buy a H.U.B with a computer for $600. (I know, I have read all the threads about this one...but it still is intriguing to me). If you can offer a legitimate setup at a great price, please post on this board quick, as I would like to have it for a September dive. Thanks in advance for the help. Please note, I do not ever see myself going 250 feet deep or doing cave dives or any other technical type dives. I am just a recreational diver...and that is all I want to be. My son will soon be old enough to dive, and I look forward to taking him with me and enjoying the sport with him.
Buying Gear-questions???
- Thread starter JLarg
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waterwraith
Contributor
JLarg:
Check out www.divesports.com, www.scubatoys.com, www.scuba.com, or www.leisurepro.com all have good packages in the price range you are looking for.
Call divesports for package prices they can't put on-line due to dealer restrictions.
If you have read the reviews of the H.U.B's on this board, please take them to heart. I had a chance to see the HUB when it first came out the design is not something I would want to use for even recreational diving. The number of failure points on the HUB is truely astounding.
yknot
Guest
JLarg-you make it sound like if the board doesn't do some leg work for you by next month you're going to buy a HUB. If they still intrique you even after reading some of the opinions on this board then go ahead and buy one. No amount of info to the contrary will change your mind. If, on the other hand, you can rent just a little longer (if need be) use the extra time to put your gear together piece by piece and get equipment that suits your needs. I have never seen an experienced diver whose entire kit came from a single manufacturer. Chances are, most packages will offer a compromise choice based mostly on a price range. A decent regulator with octo and gauge set will probably run at least $350. That doesn't leave a lot of room in your $500 budget for much else. What do you consider a "complete" package to be?
I would consider a complete package to be a BC, reg, octo and gauges. I have other basic equipment. I wasn't asking the "board" to do any legwork at all. I thought that was what boards were for...to ask questions from those who have more experience than me. I thought someone may have seen a great package out there that they know is quality equipment and could give me some advice. That is all I was asking.
yknot:
Xanthro
Guest
You can get a BC from www.triple-l.biz for around $170 including shipping. Sports Chalet has a sale on the Mares Abyss right now, $249. You can get an Oct for $80. That puts you right at $500, then you'll need guages.
Trying to go as cheap as possible, and still get nice gear, I'd buy a a BCD from triple-l, Mares Abyss if you have a Sports Chalet near you, otherwise, go to www.Scubatoys.com and buy your reg, oct, and guages there. Great prices, and full warranty.
$500 would be pushing it, but might be doable. $600 is definitely possible.
Xanthro
Trying to go as cheap as possible, and still get nice gear, I'd buy a a BCD from triple-l, Mares Abyss if you have a Sports Chalet near you, otherwise, go to www.Scubatoys.com and buy your reg, oct, and guages there. Great prices, and full warranty.
$500 would be pushing it, but might be doable. $600 is definitely possible.
Xanthro
yknot
Guest
Sorry if this wasn't your intent but original post implied you were in a hurry and that you were still considering the HUB in spite of this boards general consenses. Quality and price are not mutually exclusive in regards to scuba gear. Even the more obscure stuff tends to be well made. Take a look at:JLarg:
http://www.divebooty.com/online_specials/3779.htm for a $400 package.
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In talking to several repair techs in my area, they universally consider the H.U.B. to be the most unreliable piece of scuba gear available on the market today.
That's pretty definitive, coming from folks who repair scuba gear for a living ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
That's pretty definitive, coming from folks who repair scuba gear for a living ...
... Bob (Grateful Diver)
Even though we sell the hub... I wouldn't suggest it... For the same money you can get some nicer gear. And I'd avoid the no name brands like IST, Prosub, etc. If you get a package put together of sherwood, aeris, zeagle, mares, etc that fits your needs - you'll be far better off in the long run.
After reading on these and other forums for 2 days, I ordered the Triple L Orion. Now I am looking for a reg, octo and gauges. I saw several regs at scubatoys that seemed to be good brands and in the 250 range. Also, what about the inline octo that attaches to your BC inflator? Any suggestions? Thanks again in advance.
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