Cheap regulators, scuba consumerism
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Hey SeaJay I see you're back 
I knew I'd find you somewhere in here.......
I just had to get in on this thread. Do you recall when I was doing my OW dives and hunting for gear not that long ago? I totally went the opposite direction of the mainstream LDS way of thinking (well not 100% totally), and guess what? I now have what I consider a SUPERIOR setup. Not superior to anyone else's setup, but superior in that it does what I want it to do and I feel I'm diving the most efficiently and safest way possible for my level of experience. Sure I can do more, bungeed octo, long hose etc., but I'm still ahead of the "follow the leader" pack. I felt like an alien in Jet fins on the OW dives. But you know what? So far I can keep up with anyone out there (not that I'm in a race) and I really like the feel of the fins, the control. And they're cheap!And the BP/W? I was told I would drown on the surface, no so. Even overweighted by 12# (yes twelve pounds) on my first boat dives my trim was still 90% better than the rental BC's I used. After I got my weight right at 3# (from 28# OW dives) my SAC went through the roof! No constriction etc. Now that the LDS sees how I'm diving they cater to me differently I pretty much only deal with one of the owners now and just bought 2 E-7 100's. I'll tell ya what, I've learned a ****load from some of the old timers on this board, and some not so old timers too. On my December dive trip in Cayman I met a bunch of old timers out on some dives with River's Sport Divers. One grey haired gent had a horse collar on. Being the newbie that I am it sort of blew my mind at first, I did a double take and smiled. This guy didn't "NEED" a BC I kept thinking. Anyway I got some good tips from these guys and they help me nail my neutral buoyancy etc. I really had an awesome time diving with these guys. The real deal.
I knew I'd find you somewhere in here.......I just had to get in on this thread. Do you recall when I was doing my OW dives and hunting for gear not that long ago? I totally went the opposite direction of the mainstream LDS way of thinking (well not 100% totally), and guess what? I now have what I consider a SUPERIOR setup. Not superior to anyone else's setup, but superior in that it does what I want it to do and I feel I'm diving the most efficiently and safest way possible for my level of experience. Sure I can do more, bungeed octo, long hose etc., but I'm still ahead of the "follow the leader" pack. I felt like an alien in Jet fins on the OW dives. But you know what? So far I can keep up with anyone out there (not that I'm in a race) and I really like the feel of the fins, the control. And they're cheap!And the BP/W? I was told I would drown on the surface, no so. Even overweighted by 12# (yes twelve pounds) on my first boat dives my trim was still 90% better than the rental BC's I used. After I got my weight right at 3# (from 28# OW dives) my SAC went through the roof! No constriction etc. Now that the LDS sees how I'm diving they cater to me differently
I pretty much only deal with one of the owners now and just bought 2 E-7 100's. I'll tell ya what, I've learned a ****load from some of the old timers on this board, and some not so old timers too. On my December dive trip in Cayman I met a bunch of old timers out on some dives with River's Sport Divers. One grey haired gent had a horse collar on. Being the newbie that I am it sort of blew my mind at first, I did a double take and smiled. This guy didn't "NEED" a BC I kept thinking. Anyway I got some good tips from these guys and they help me nail my neutral buoyancy etc. I really had an awesome time diving with these guys. The real deal.
SeaJay
Contributor
That's fantastic...
How did your LDS treat you originally? How have they changed? How's your relationship with the LDS owner?
How did your LDS treat you originally? How have they changed? How's your relationship with the LDS owner?
SeaJay:
Luckily I found scubaboard before I hit the local scene. Did a lot of research before I decided to start buying gear. The first dive shop that I got certified with (the one I use exclusively except for online stuff) had a salesman that just kept pushing me on an overpriced SP Classic Plus. When I inquired about a BP/W I got the usual BS that it would push my face in the water and I would need to dive double steels. He even went as far as to "show me" how heavy steels were etc. etc. If I were to dive in somewhat rough seas I'm in trouble bla...bla...bla.... Wasn't long after that I contacted FredT and the rest is history. Best move I've made so far. It's not that I don't like the guy, I just realize now that he's all about pushing a sale and really won't sell me what I need or want. Or maybe he's just one of these guys that feels a new diver is a total idiot and can't make any informed decisions on his own? In any event I bought a few things there while the owner was running the shop and this guy is completely different in his approach. He knows I dive a BP/W now helps me out with what I need, tanks, hoses, guages, training, whatever. No pressure, just trys to sell me what I may need. I have no problem with that. I now buy the reasonably priced stuff there, use them for training, go to monthly events etc.
Any serious purchases like the tanks I work with him and use the other guys for stupid stuff like mask straps etc. Strange twist with the salesman heh? Now I treat him like an idiot!
SeaJay
Contributor
Heh. :d
You're lucky to have been able to build a relationship like you did with the owner... At my LDS, the owner is worse than the salesman.
...So I purchase everything online... Or at a special shop about five hours away. When I'm making a big purchase there or need something fitted, I take the weekend off, hit the shop Saturday morning, and then dive the rest of the weekend (they're at a popular spring).
It's worked out great...
You're lucky to have been able to build a relationship like you did with the owner... At my LDS, the owner is worse than the salesman.
...So I purchase everything online... Or at a special shop about five hours away. When I'm making a big purchase there or need something fitted, I take the weekend off, hit the shop Saturday morning, and then dive the rest of the weekend (they're at a popular spring).
It's worked out great...
angelodoigha
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hi,
I read your piece,i would like you to please give me the contact on how and where i can get used diving kits complete.
i await your reply.
angelo doigha
I read your piece,i would like you to please give me the contact on how and where i can get used diving kits complete.
i await your reply.
angelo doigha
angelodoigha
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hi,
Please i would like you to give me information on where to buy new or used complete diving kits. I would be happy if my request is met.
Regards,
Angelo Doigha
Please i would like you to give me information on where to buy new or used complete diving kits. I would be happy if my request is met.
Regards,
Angelo Doigha
divinginn
Contributor
try e bay for used,scubatoys for new packages
Hoosier
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But, when you get the used one from eBay, you have to know what you are buying....
I don't mean, "it is a life supporting equipment," but you have to add some cost to get the reg. serviced right after getting it. Sometimes, it isn't worth getting the used one..
I don't mean, "it is a life supporting equipment," but you have to add some cost to get the reg. serviced right after getting it. Sometimes, it isn't worth getting the used one..
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