This will be our first dive in the Riviera Maya area, does anyone have a recomendation on a good reliable dive shop? We will be renting equipment, and after a bad, unsafe experience in Belize, we want a shop with good, lightly used rental equipment.
Diving in Playa del Carmen
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Guba
Contributor
I hear ya. The only OOA experiece I've ever had was due to corrosion in a rental tank from a charter in Playa del Carmen.
However, your statement about "good, lightly used rental equipment" is almost a paradox. If a shop/charter is good, they usually do a brisk business stimulated by positive word-of-mouth, and therefore their equipment sees quite a bit of use.
A more accurate gauge of whether you will be renting good equipment is to listen to folks who have dived there numerous times and posted detailed dive reports. Good charters generally build good reputations over time, and their equipment, while seeing a lot of service, is usually well-maintained.
One additional note...like most divers, I carry my own gear to Mexico, except for tank and weights. That way, I KNOW the condition of my equipment.
However, your statement about "good, lightly used rental equipment" is almost a paradox. If a shop/charter is good, they usually do a brisk business stimulated by positive word-of-mouth, and therefore their equipment sees quite a bit of use.
A more accurate gauge of whether you will be renting good equipment is to listen to folks who have dived there numerous times and posted detailed dive reports. Good charters generally build good reputations over time, and their equipment, while seeing a lot of service, is usually well-maintained.
One additional note...like most divers, I carry my own gear to Mexico, except for tank and weights. That way, I KNOW the condition of my equipment.
The question should be for "good well maintained rental equipment."
Where are you planning on staying on the Riviera Maya, this can help point you in the right direction?
As an owner of a dive shop and someone that repairs and services gear for my shop as well as many other dive shops. It can be very difficult even with a 3 - 6 month service rotation I maintain on regulators to insure no minor issues, we still will see light free flow on a second stage or a leak on the high pressure connection or a small fizzle on a connection from a hose to a 2nd stage. It is hard to eliminate this problem because even after asking divers if there was any issue with the equipment we are repeatedly told no problem because the divers aren't aware or just don't remember. I am very confident that we will never see a major problem with a regulator set.
With our tanks they are between a 6 - 12 month inspection interval and if any smell or bad taste or suspected of being run empty they will be inspected immediately. I know many shops that don't inspect tanks, check with a shop before booking and ask to see the service records if you don't see any markings with inspections dates on the tank. I just right on the tank with an black felt marker when it is inspected and the inspection report is kept on the computer.
We also try to sell our regulator sets after 2 years of rental use, so we have nicer gear and it is much easier to maintain.
Ask before booking
As an owner of a dive shop and someone that repairs and services gear for my shop as well as many other dive shops. It can be very difficult even with a 3 - 6 month service rotation I maintain on regulators to insure no minor issues, we still will see light free flow on a second stage or a leak on the high pressure connection or a small fizzle on a connection from a hose to a 2nd stage. It is hard to eliminate this problem because even after asking divers if there was any issue with the equipment we are repeatedly told no problem because the divers aren't aware or just don't remember. I am very confident that we will never see a major problem with a regulator set.
With our tanks they are between a 6 - 12 month inspection interval and if any smell or bad taste or suspected of being run empty they will be inspected immediately. I know many shops that don't inspect tanks, check with a shop before booking and ask to see the service records if you don't see any markings with inspections dates on the tank. I just right on the tank with an black felt marker when it is inspected and the inspection report is kept on the computer.
We also try to sell our regulator sets after 2 years of rental use, so we have nicer gear and it is much easier to maintain.
Ask before booking
We'd love a recommendation, too! We'll be staying at the Royal Hideaway in Playa del Carmen (Playacar - I assume this is the same?).
We have gear, so just need a good outfit to dive with.
Perhaps you're right, however, I have rented from companies before who have policies of frequent equipment turnover...therefore, when they sell the old and get new, the old is literally lightly used compared to most places. That is why I phrased the question that way.
We are staying at the Occidental Grand Xcaret
I'm a big fan of Jason's at Fantaseadive.com - he's Playacountryboy on the boards here. I did my AOW with him almost 2 years ago now in his rental equipment and had no issues. I now carry my own down there and will be there with him again for the 4th time in 2 years this December. From where you guys are in Playacar it's a quick $5 cab ride to 10th Ave and Calle 2. Take Calle 2 down to the beach and his shop is on the left right at the beach. Fantastic personal service, safe and very knowledgeable about the reefs. My parents first two ocean dives will be with him while we're there in a couple months!
jpassov
Contributor
I also highly recommend Jason at Fantasea Dive. You can read my review on Trip Advisor.
Fantasea Dive is how service should be! - Review of Fantasea Dive, Playa del Carmen, Mexico - TripAdvisor
Fantasea Dive is how service should be! - Review of Fantasea Dive, Playa del Carmen, Mexico - TripAdvisor
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