Buying Regs-LDS vs, Internet, vs. "Gray Market"

[CODMAN]

Susan, for comparison purposes only, here is what I bought...

Mares V16 protonXL reg: 215$
Mares proton Octo: 80$
Mares console (depth, pressure and compass): 110$
Mares M2 computer: 280$
Total: 685$

And there are cheaper combinations out there if you want to save...

I think you also need to evaluate your REAL needs... Personally, being a relatively novice diver and planning on diving 25-50 times a year, max... I didn't need anything fancier than that! Do you really need the fancy gear your LDS is proposing? Or is he just trying to make a nice sale?

Just my 0.02$

 

[PerroneFord]

The greatest thing I think I got from all your posts is that for the type of diver I am, I can probably find better choices in gear to fit my budget. As I mentioned, I was shown the Scubapro S550 along with the Uwatech Aladin Prime 3-
I'm not sure what my budget is, but I do know that $1200 EACH is too much for our reg setups even with computer. (We're lightweights, after all!)

Lets see, I bought a BC, Reg, fins, wetsuit, and computer, all for less than $1200. It's probably not good you say?

Halcyon BC
Dive Rite reg
ScubaPro fins
Henderson Wetsuit
Suunto Vyper computer

All top quality gear.

 

[Hoosier]

Lets see, I bought a BC, Reg, fins, wetsuit, and computer, all for less than $1200. It's probably not good you say?

Halcyon BC
Dive Rite reg
ScubaPro fins
Henderson Wetsuit
Suunto Vyper computer

All top quality gear.

How could it be? New or used? More specific....?

Halcyon BC,
Dive Rite reg
ScubaPro fins
Henderson Wetsuit
Suunto Vyper computer

 

[RonFrank]

I would highly recommend ScubaToys (www.scubatoys.com). They will set you up.

For $1200 each here is an example of what they are offering and it ALL comes with a manufactures warranty, and ScubaToys has a great reputation.

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Package_BC_Reg.asp

Check out those deals, and most come with BC, reg, octo, and a computer.

Personally I like the computer on the wrist. When ascending, or just checking depth having to grab a console is a bit of a pain. I'm starting to subscribe to the DIR guage configuration in this aspect. Compass and puter on the wrist with just an SPG for the console. Simple, easy to use, and effective.

 

[PerroneFord]

How could it be? New or used? More specific....?

Halcyon BC,
Dive Rite reg
ScubaPro fins
Henderson Wetsuit
Suunto Vyper computer

All new, all warranty. Some on sale. Just a matter of timing, and shopping around.

 

[Hoosier]

All new, all warranty. Some on sale. Just a matter of timing, and shopping around.

Not just matter of timing...

Your location, connection, or your time on the net, too..

It doesn't apply to the regular (normal) divers. You know that already!

 

[PerroneFord]

Lets see, I bought the Halcyon from FifthD in Washington at retail. Dive Rite reg from an authorized seller here in FL on sale, Jet Fins at full price from my LDS, Henderson wetsuit at a different LDS on sale, and my Vyper from a brick and mortar / internet vendor who posts here regularly and who has posted in this thread.

This isn't rocket science.

 

[Hoosier]

Lets see, I bought the Halcyon from FifthD in Washington at retail. Dive Rite reg from an authorized seller here in FL on sale, Jet Fins at full price from my LDS, Henderson wetsuit at a different LDS on sale, and my Vyper from a brick and mortar / internet vendor who posts here regularly and who has posted in this thread.

This isn't rocket science.

See...

You got all good deals that most people lost. How many hours are you on the board

FifthD sale deal
Divesports Sale deal
DR sale deal
Henderson 5mm, Sale deal.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

Susan,
I bought a regulator from Phil Ellis and highly recommend his store! I had purchased the same regulator from a relatively local shop a few months before Phil advertised a sale on a similar regulator. I contacted him to see if he had "my" regulator (Dive Rite G2500Ice) on sale as well. He did and it was $300 less than the one I bought at the local shop so I ordered one--can't have too many regulators I'll be able to ship it back to him for its bi-annual service, this particular regulator can be serviced every other year rather than annually--see owners manual. Get ahold of Phil and see what he has in stock!
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[PerroneFord]

See...

You got all good deals that most people lost. How many hours are you on the board

FifthD sale deal
Divesports Sale deal
DR sale deal
Henderson 5mm, Sale deal.

FifthD was full retail cost. No deal

Divesports was advertised on SB. Phil wasn't exactly offering quiet specials. I was late to the party and nearly missed out.

DR deal could be had by anyone calling around. Or someone could get essentially the same reg setup at Salvo every day of the week, for less than I paid.

Henderson "deal" was walking into my local shop with a credit card.