Concerns about dive center and buying gear

[MaizeNBlue88]

Well obviously given the category this is in you're probably aware of the nature of this post. I recently started diving and only have a couple pool sessions under my belt. One of the dive trainers/co-owner was showing me all their gear and giving me the standard sales pitch about carrying only the best brands, etc., etc.. Well I've done a lot of research and educating myself about the different types and manufacturers of dive gear. My concern is that he doesn't 100% have my best interests in mind. The shop carries mainly AquaLung, Apeks, and Atomic dive gear. The also carry Suunto dive computers. Considering the price on the Apeks gear, and the fact that I'm just starting out, am I in good hands if I were to buy only AquaLung and Atomic? I know fit, comfort, etc., are more important than the brands, but I want to make sure I'm getting my money's worth. What also concerned me is that he somewhat bad mouthed other brands when I brought them up, like Mares and ScubaPro, probably to get me to buy their brands. Please give me some advice and opinions, I'm open to suggestions.

 

[decompression]

There are good and bad things about all brands, those are personal opinions. AquaLung/Apeks/Atomic are very good brands and generally have excellent products.


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[Lorenzoid]

. . . . What also concerned me is that he somewhat bad mouthed other brands when I brought them up, like Mares and ScubaPro, probably to get me to buy their brands. . . .

Yes, probably. Badmouthing another brand is poor salesmanship in my opinion. A good salesperson says something like "Those brands have their fans, but personally I prefer ...."

Any scuba gear from one of the major brands is going to work just fine. Manufacturers add their own twists in design, materials, etc., to differentiate their brands, but the basic principles of design and construction are pretty much the same.

 

[Redshift]

The brands they sell are good, as are the other ones. I was a bit puzzled by your statement that you find Apeks expensive. For their quality, they are one of the cheapest. A DS4 (or DST) with XTX50 will be all you need for any kind of diving.

 

[MaizeNBlue88]

I was a bit puzzled by your statement that you find Apeks expensive. For their quality, they are one of the cheapest.

I wasn't implying that they were overpriced, just a bit pricier than the other brands mentioned. They seem pricier than most brands. I have done my research and realize that they are of very good quality. Being that I'm new to diving, I'd rather not go and spend a large sum of money of my initial dive gear. Down the line, if I do decide that I really enjoy diving, I'll probably save up and spend a bit more on some of the higher quality gear.

 

[KevinNM]

Despite what your dive shop may tell you, you can actually do OK renting gear for a while. Eventually you should own your reg, BC and computer, but that doesn't mean you need to buy it now. You can, there is nothing wrong with buying it now, but you don't have to. However most people doing an OW course really don't understand all the options that actually exist, so the odds are they are not making the most informed decision.

There is a high dropout rate in scuba, and while I love me some "used once" gear on ebay, you don't want to be the person selling it because it turned out that diving wasn't for you. Dive shop owners tend to confuse correlation with causation when they talk about divers that own their own gear being more likely to keep diving - consider instead the possibility that divers that keep diving are more likely to own their own gear.

In addition, if you rent gear from various places you will get the chance to try various types and brands of gear first.

 

[Belzelbub]

I'd be looking for a different shop. If you are already far enough along through the training, stick with it, but go elsewhere to buy gear. Sounds like this shop is going to try to up-sell you on every piece of gear you plan to buy. That's not a shop that you want to do business with. Especially, since this guy is one of the owners.

Everyone has their favorite brands, and all of the major brands put out good gear. If they didn't, they wouldn't be in business very long. The market is fairly small, and word gets around.

 

[Doppler]

I wasn't implying that they were overpriced, just a bit pricier than the other brands mentioned. They seem pricier than most brands. I have done my research and realize that they are of very good quality. Being that I'm new to diving, I'd rather not go and spend a large sum of money of my initial dive gear. Down the line, if I do decide that I really enjoy diving, I'll probably save up and spend a bit more on some of the higher quality gear.

Here's some questions the answers to which might help people to give you the best possible advice...

Do you have a budget in mind?
Where do you plan to dive?
Do you have any specific dive-related goals?
How many dives do you actually have? (You said a couple of pool sessions... if you have not certified yet, don't buy anything. You might not like diving and it might not agree with you.)

 

[rivers]

The brands they sell are good, as are the other ones. I was a bit puzzled by your statement that you find Apeks expensive. For their quality, they are one of the cheapest. A DS4 (or DST) with XTX50 will be all you need for any kind of diving.

Apeks seem to be a lot more expensive in the US than they are in the UK and Europe

 

[diversteve]

Aqualung distributes both Suunto and Apeks in the U.S. I believe all U.S. sales go through them. So prices are pretty well fixed at any of their authorized dealers. Partially explains the higher prices you're seeing.

Your dealer is selling 3 of the mainstream "best" brands. The others being ScubaPro or Poseidon IMO. I don't consider Mares as good personally - a lot of their gear seems "gimmicky"

One consideration with Atomic is their $409 Z2 and their $1699 T3 breathe identically. The difference is one is standard chrome/brass the other all Titanium. All Atomic models have a factory recommended 2 year service interval so over time that saves you something vs. those requiring an annual service to stay within warranty compliance. If you were considering a T3 - the 3 means 3 years.

Apeks or Aqualung are likely better in really cold water since diaphragm regulators generally are. Atomics can be purchased with an enviro kit but they're filled with Christo-lube at service which may cost you an extra $40/50. Or if you never dive in really cold conditions, they work without it.

It also doesn't mean you shouldn't look at Oceanic, Zeagle, possibly Diverite or others. If cost is a factor, Subgear is the Scubapro low-end line. Their 1st stage designs are copies of older, proven ScubaPro models.