Costco Scuba Gear

[viper]

I read the review's from Rodales, checked it out and bought it. I was very excited when I first used it , it was everything I wanted in a BC. As I moved forward with my training I found that I needed something different. Read everything you can about the different style BC's that most divers use. This forum is an incredible mix of the best knowledge out there. What kind of diving do you want to do ? Eventually if it's Technical, then buy the right BC for that type of diving.

 

[Hawk]

Pete, Costco used to have a small amount of gear online, but not anymore. I am not sure if they still have the shows at the stores or not.

UP, since it is a pair that you have, is it one thing that you take or is it two? After all, "a" pair means only one.




Later, Hawk.

 

[schwa99x]

I'm not sure what BC CCDeep's buddy has but if it is a Nekton 2000 it is anything but cheap.

I repectfully disagree with the statement that "Most BC's use 2" webbing." I pondered this statement and visted my local LDS around the corner that carries, Mares, Dacor, Oceanic, Tusa, and ScubaPro, etc. Some of the BC's had 2" webbing and some 1 1/2" webbing. All were quality BCs.

IDI uses 1 1/2" minimum on the 3 BCs that I own (Nekton, Advantage, Ballistic).

The width of webbing that is used on a BC however is irrelavant. 1" webbing has a strength of 4000 lbs while 2" webbing has a strength of 7000 lbs. I feel confident in saying that you, myself, CCDeep or any diver in the world is putting loads on the nylon that comes anywhere near approaching failure.


And the statement: "The 1" webbing itself is strong enough, but there just isn't much meat there to get stitching through, and the light nylon in the BC body ends up taking a big load in a small area. " is wildy incorrect. The stitching, the webbing and the nylon body will all exceed any demands that you may put on the BC in recreational diving scenarios. The nylon used on BCs is incredibly strong. If you dive long enough, you will get tired of it and want something new long before it wears out. No matter how much diving you do.

(I concede that the thicker the material the more likely the durability. But at some point you have to stop and say: What am I paying for and what are my needs?)


Once again, I admit that I do not know what CCDeeps buddy bought. I only assert that in my experience:

IDI makes a quality BC at an affordable price and is anything but cheap. (Though, I'll admit..my only experience is with the Nekton, Advantage, and Ballistic.)
The nylon and materials will exceed 98% of what most divers need.
IDI BCs are highly adjustable and customizable (but more complex to set up and a bit more of a pain.)
The premise that you get what you pay for is true if you balance it with common sense.


I do all kinds of types of diving and not had any major issues with my IDI equipment. (A few annoyances but no more than other gear.)

My best advice is for you to look at IDI BCs and others and then compare fit, comfort, and features in relation to what you want to pay and the type of diving that you want to do.

(CCDeep, the next time you go on a trip and tip the DiveMaster an IDI BC let me know...I'll make sure I'm on that trip. )

One thing for sure is cheap...opinions. Take mine for what it's worth and pick the BC that is best for you.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by Hawk
UP, since it is a pair that you have, is it one thing that you take or is it two? After all, "a" pair means only one.

A Turtle fin for my right foot and a Turtle fin for my left foot...
Completely interchangeable of course

 

[CCDeep]

Nope, what my buddy has is not a nekton or anything in the picture on rodale's. It has really light stuff, it's more like a light knapsack. Like I said, I'm not saying anything bad about IDI, just that one BC, it's like they made one just for costco or resale or mail order or something.

 

[schwa99x]

CCDeep,

Fair enough. Maybe they made some low level entry level BC for Costco. Dunno. Just touting the merits of my BCs.

(I hear IDI is beefing up the material to 840 Denier Ballistic Material on all the higher end BCs next year.)

I'll get off my soapbox now.

 

[Beezle]

Well it's not really Costco selling them.....IDI has a booth in there with a Dive Master staffing it. I was extremely impressed with the Nekton and will most likely buy it, I was also impressed with their Dive Master. He dives the Nekton and knows how to configure and adjust it and will spend the time with you to do it right there. Whoever said those things just need to be adjusted to your body is right on. I tried one on and he made the adjustments, took about 5 min. and I was blown away by the fit. Can't wait to try one out in the water!

Bzl

 

[erichK]

Zagnut once bubbled...
Actually, Im talking about retail vs. retail. Costco, I believe (and correct me if I'm wrong), is a retail store like Wal Mart and has to pay their overhead to stay in business( utilities, employees, etc.), just like any other store. That's part of the risk of being in business. Roakey, you make a valid point; however, I just don't feel obligated to buy, say, a pair of pants in a store just because I tried them on. If I try on a pair of pants in a store and then go to the store next door and find they are cheaper, I'm going to buy from whoever has the lowest price. You are correct, in that, retail vs. mail order is a different scenerio and I agree with your statements concerning retail vs. mail order.

Costco is essentially a wholesale operation, buying in bulk, continually changing its inventory, and providing almost no skilled customer service.

while Walmart is quite different from local retail stores. Walmart pays essentially interchangeable and unskilled employees the lowest wages possible and uses its huge purchasing muscle to buy often shoddy goods at the absolute lowest price possible (often from third world sweatshops). It has used a combination of the sucker attraction of its very low prices and its huge economic clout to distort the economies of countless smaller cities to the point where what were formerly thriving retail downtowns wither and die.

I have, ocassionally, bought from Wlamart, but I do my best to support local businesses whose employees are knowledgable and reasonably well paid. I would cerainly never buy a regulator or other critical piece of gear from either operation.

erich