Chicago area shop recommendations

[kawasakign]

So after moving back to Chicago from Hawaii I really haven't gotten to check out to many shops. I did get some dives in last year and my advanced cert with one shop located near my place, but lately it just seems as if they don't want my business.

I have a set of doubles that I bought used and they need vis performed on them. So I go in and ask how much to vis the doubles and because I'm completely new to doubles I'm not going to disassemble them before hand. I'm physically in the store and they can't give me a price to do it. You think it being winter in Chicago that maybe they would like some SCUBA related business.

So now I'm in search of a new shop to hang around at and purchase items, get fills and the like. Any suggestions? Has to be Chicagoland area, has to know what a BP&W is and I'd love it if they would offer tech related courses...say an intro to tech..or into to diving doubles or anything like that where I can get some experience with somebody qualified to provide knowledge in that area. I'd like to maybe do adv. nitrox and deco later this year, but need more dives before I even think about signing up for that.

Any shops?

 

[ppo2_diver]

Man, this winter must be a shock to your system. I'd give anything to be back in Hawaii. Do you have your heart set on a dive store only? Where in the Chicago area are you? I'm always looking for good dive buddies. I can do visuals, have a compressor, and can do Nitrox fills.

There aren't many dive stores in the area that focus on tech. Many have tech instructors and people who are very knowledgeable. But the stores mostly focus on the recreational diver and will accommodate tech divers, but that isn't their primary business model.

 

[Kingmob3]

Talk to Elmers Water Sports on Oakton in Evanston, they have a decent collection of tec gear( 2-4 sets of doubles for sale, loose and bagged harness parts, Dive Rite, OMS, green force,Whites, and a few more I can't remember retailer) and access to a full positive pressure clean room for rebuild & O2 cleaning. They bank EANx40 and can do Trimix.
Allen

 

[kawasakign]

No, not set on a store, actually probably would prefer finding buddies that have the knowledge and experience (certs wouldn't be bad either) that would be willing to get me more familiar with doubles and more "tech" setup....if their instructors even better. I'm on the north side near Wrigley, I grew up in Chicagoland, but yeah the winter sucks after being in Hawaii for awhile. Duane thanks for the info, PM me some details on getting vis done on the doubles

I will have to check out Elmers as well. Funny how I have prob passed that place up 100 times and never realized it was there. Thanks Allen

 

[Kingmob3]

No problem, if your looking for a way to find buddy's here is one group:
The Chicago Scuba Meetup Group (Chicago, IL) - Meetup.com
Allen