Cost... Purchase vs rental...

[kelly7552]

Part of the issue for me was safety. Being a new diver, i felt uncomfortable using all new gear every time I splashed. Where was the weights? Was it integrated? Air Pressure gauge? As I bought my fins and mask for my OW training; I realized that every where I went I was subject to people crappy rental stuff, some BC's leaked, etc. etc.

This made me decide that consistent equipment was a better approach than new rental equipment every time I dove. So I purchased my gear and gear for my kids: it wasn't cheap but we used a variety of sources, our LDS, Leisurepro, scubatoys, ebay and we put together a reasonable gear set for three of us. I've put about 100 dives on this gear and while it isn't perfect (don't buy velco weight dumps, make sure they have snaps) I am very comfortable with it.

If you want this feeling of comfort of your own gear and you can achieve the same objective with rent to won, then great! but use enough gear to make some basic decisions, like weight integrated bc versus not, air integrated computer versus not, etc.

 

[svnipp]

Well... I took people's advice and did a little checking on Craig's List. Here is what I found from one person.

Size: XL SeaQuest Infinity BCD (Color: Black and Blue)
Mares MR12 Octopus with Mares Akros Breather
Mares Nikos Buddy Breather
Suunto Compass, PSI Gauge, and Favor Computer
Size: Regular Mares Fins (Color: Black and Blue)
US Divers Leg Strap Knife
SeaQuest Side Draft Snorkel & Mares Larica Mask

All items come in a dive bag with the original paperwork.
Price = $300

So, would this be a good deal? Can anyone comment on this gear?

 

[Codiak]

If you dive 10 times in the first year you paid for your gear by buying it outright vs renting.
After that 1-2 dives a year covers the service vs rental.

Peace of mind knowing your gear form, fit, and service record? Priceless.

After the basics: Fins, Mask, wetsuit
I'd look for: BC, and finally focus on Regulators AND SPG/Computer

If your BC has an Air2 you can get by without an Octo, but you will need an SPG or Air Integrated Computer to matchup with the Regulators.

Finding used equipment can be a good cost saver, but check service costs and availablity locally first.

 

[TSandM]

I think you can get by with buying used gear, and buying gear that you perhaps won't want to keep lifelong -- BUT it doesn't save you anything to buy gear that isn't comfortable or doesn't fit. I've dived with novices who had bought what they could afford, even though it didn't fit or didn't work well, and they have a horrible time trying to get comfortable and stable in the water. I've had several experiences where I just couldn't stand it any longer, so I bring a setup for the diver that actually fits them, and the relief and gratitude at the end of the dive is pretty heartwarming.

My advice, always, is to start with exposure protection, because it doesn't work if it doesn't fit, and rental gear may or may not fit you. Wetsuits aren't terribly expensive, and I wouldn't buy one used. Neoprene has a lifespan, and old wetsuits don't insulate very well, which is why people replace them.

After that, depending on where you live and dive and what your shops are like, I'd get a BC that fits and is comfortable, and most importantly, that holds the tank stable on your back. Tanks slopping from side to side is the biggest fit issue I see, and it makes divers very uncomfortable.

Regulators in our local rental shops are pretty decent quality and fairly well maintained, so renting those is something you could do for a while until you decide what you would like to own. Again depending on where you are diving, you might consider buying a good dive light before your own regulator. In Puget Sound, you don't see a whole lot without a light of some kind -- in the tropics, that would be way further down the list.

So tell us what kind of diving you see yourself doing, and we can give better advice.

 

[fjpatrum]

Well... I took people's advice and did a little checking on Craig's List. Here is what I found from one person.

Size: XL SeaQuest Infinity BCD (Color: Black and Blue)
Mares MR12 Octopus with Mares Akros Breather
Mares Nikos Buddy Breather
Suunto Compass, PSI Gauge, and Favor Computer
Size: Regular Mares Fins (Color: Black and Blue)
US Divers Leg Strap Knife
SeaQuest Side Draft Snorkel & Mares Larica Mask

All items come in a dive bag with the original paperwork.
Price = $300

So, would this be a good deal? Can anyone comment on this gear?

I'll say up front that I know nothing about the specific gear listed. I will tell you I got a BCD, reg, octo, console with SPG, compass and an old computer, for $350. Looks to me like you are getting at least as good a deal as I did, probably better, if you buy the gear listed. Have the regs serviced, (check that you can breath off them before you buy) and make sure the BCD holds air and the overfill dump valve works. Make sure everything fits.

After that, dive as much as you can and sort out which pieces you want to replace. I'd be willing to bet money that you'll find at least a couple pieces you want to change but being able to dive with a consistent rig is going to be very valuable in actually finding gear you do like. Plus, I think people will tend to dive more often with their own gear than when they rent.

 

[Stu S.]

Well... I took people's advice and did a little checking on Craig's List. Here is what I found from one person.

Size: XL SeaQuest Infinity BCD (Color: Black and Blue)
Mares MR12 Octopus with Mares Akros Breather
Mares Nikos Buddy Breather
Suunto Compass, PSI Gauge, and Favor Computer
Size: Regular Mares Fins (Color: Black and Blue)
US Divers Leg Strap Knife
SeaQuest Side Draft Snorkel & Mares Larica Mask

All items come in a dive bag with the original paperwork.
Price = $300

So, would this be a good deal? Can anyone comment on this gear?

Looking at the models, this is probbly 10 year old gear. That means putting service money into it, perhaps exceeding $100. I would probably not buy it.

As was previously mentioned, getting a good wetsuit is the start. We can rent a suit here for $12 daily, or buys a Diver's Direct Suit for $80. So, that is a purchase with a quick payoff. Look at ScubaToys on line to get an idea what gear costs. They are in the Dallas area. You can do the math. If you are a warm water diver, than you won't need all the heavy-duty gear. After a year, and active diver could own a set of nice gear with money saved by not renting.

Welcome to diving.

 

[knowone]

Well... I took people's advice and did a little checking on Craig's List. Here is what I found from one person.

Size: XL SeaQuest Infinity BCD (Color: Black and Blue)
Mares MR12 Octopus with Mares Akros Breather
Mares Nikos Buddy Breather
Suunto Compass, PSI Gauge, and Favor Computer
Size: Regular Mares Fins (Color: Black and Blue)
US Divers Leg Strap Knife
SeaQuest Side Draft Snorkel & Mares Larica Mask

All items come in a dive bag with the original paperwork.
Price = $300

So, would this be a good deal? Can anyone comment on this gear?

Well there you go. Wash it. Leave it charged for a bit, then use it.
Nothing is going to explode or find a normal person to have look at it.
NO MORE RENTING for you. I have some of that stuff and I used to have some of that stuff. It is good stuff. The suunto console setup is my favorite. I have 3.
Suit and mask is your most important gear.
I just bought a lp Faber 85 for $110 mint. Took off the stickers and handle, threw out the mesh, cleaned off the scuffs, more mint. $40 hydro and air even more mint. Sold handle, bought cigarettes. Not so mint.
Patience in collecting gear is good practice for using it.

 

[k ellis]

I agree with the checking rent to own possibilities. One thing to be sure of though is when you rent gear take note of all your likes and dislikes. This can help avoid a potential future mistake. There is the reasoning of buying used gear on sites like ebay and craigslist and I have heard many success stories and the occasional bad luck stories.

As for the nitrox course it will be one of the most valuable courses of the available specialty courses due to you only being able to purchase nitrox with the cert card. Without it your S.O.L. if you try to get it.

In the mean time make the most of your rentals when you do rent and dive the day away

Oh and as for your question I have observed rentals from from 45 dollars to 75 dollars a day so it sounds ball park what you are paying.

 

[Dirty-Dog]

Our local dive shop charges about $50 for a rental gear package which includes two tanks of air, so our rental equipment cost is roughly $40 each per day excluding the cost of air fill, so our break even point is about 20-25 dives.

Unfortunately in our case, the rental cost for the same items individually is $64, so there is no real financial advantage to replacing the items piecemeal.

So buy the pieces, rent the whole kit and toss the pieces you don't need in the trunk.

 

[herbdb]

So buy the pieces, rent the whole kit and toss the pieces you don't need in the trunk.

Genius!!

I never thought of that, but it still doesn't save money. We went out and bought gear instead.