Cost of new PADI No-Dive Nitrox

[Linthorn]

I'm curious. I have seen several posts on the no-dive PADI class that suggest that it is quite cheap. I had planned to take this course from my LDS and found that, with materials, it came to about $210. The materials are $78 consisting of a book, tables, and a DVD video. I ended up (after buying the materials) suddenly taking a trip to warmer waters and took the "old fashioned" course including a few hours' classroom work and two boat dives off Puerto Rico for $175 (including rental, nitrox fills but w/o materials, which I had). Turns out I would have saved even more had I just bought the book/table without the video (which we watched at the shop anyway).

People have quoted prices like $99. What gives? Is my LDS just outrageously overpriced? How can PADI drop the dives and not really lower the price?

 

[Damselfish]

How can PADI drop the dives and not really lower the price?

PADI doesn't set the price, the shop does.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I'm taking it in June here in Indianapolis. The price was $145 including materials and they dropped it to $125 with the dives removed.

 

[BarryNL]

Hmm, I did it for 110 euros with the dives plus tank rental and gas included.

 

[Linthorn]

PADI doesn't set the price, the shop does.

Interesting. Shows my sophistication. One of the LDSs I spoke to said that PADI set the cost. I figured they set a floor and the shops add on whatever they like.

 

[Zamfir]

I just got back from two weeks in Bonaire. Prior to leaving, I checked w/ my local (Connecticut) diveshop about getting a nitrox cert before I left. W/o the dive requirements, they offered a course fee somewhere around $100 plus materials for another $59. I chose not to do it due to time constraints.

At the Belmar on Bonaire, Buddy Dive was offering the PADI course for $99 including the book and tables (no DVD). I was very satisfied w/ the course and instructor (Martin). This may have been a May special.

 

[DiveTyme]

Pricing classes is like pricing other services. Some instructors require students to purchase videos so they will have them review, others don't. Also there are large discounts for volume buying from PADI. I would guess in Bonaire they do more Nitrox classes in on week than most LDS do in a year.

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Interesting. Shows my sophistication. One of the LDSs I spoke to said that PADI set the cost. I figured they set a floor and the shops add on whatever they like.

LOL, that's OK, one shop I worked for while DM'ing the owner told me straight up that PADI expected me to work for him for free.

The free wasn't the issue, the lie was a different story however.

 

[Swan1172]

I just took the PADI no-dive Nitrox course at my LDS. The cost for the class was $85.00 and the course materials (book, table, DVD) were extra. My LDS tends to be a little pricey on the course materials, so I bought them on eBay instead for $50.00 with shipping included.

 

[BarryNL]

I just took the PADI no-dive Nitrox course at my LDS. The cost for the class was $85.00 and the course materials (book, table, DVD) were extra. My LDS tends to be a little pricey on the course materials, so I bought them on eBay instead for $50.00 with shipping included.

That's expensive - I did the version with dives and book, tables, DVD, gas and tank hire included for €110; and that was back when a euro was about a dollar.

Edit: Oops, just noticed I already posted this - why isn't there a delete option...