I do most of my actual boat dives with LDC, their boat is by far the cheapest way to the wreaks on the east coast. I can spend the day on LDC's boat for $50 to any midweek inshore dive. You get two dives, two free air fills and free lunch, (must have club membership: $40 yearly). That’s hard to beat. Off shore dives can be cheap too: Wednesday on the Morgan wreak costs me $60 with air fill and lunch, (with club membership). LDC's boat capt seems to have a low threshold for calling the dive. A small breeze and you're going to shore. I'd say 40-50% of my LDC trips get 'called' after the first dive.
DQ visits more of the deeper wreaks more often, but most of their dives are too much $$ for me. A midweek inshore dive with DQ will cost me $100 and I don’t get free air or free lunch. Since their ‘chartered’ boat doesn’t have a compressor, I also need two tanks. (LDC I only need 1 tank). Wednesday on the Morgan wreck costs me $148 without air fill or lunch, (no club membership or discounts offered). DQ's boat will go out in a hurricane if you're willing to hold on tight enough. I do like that. I'd say 20% of my DQ trips get 'called' after the first dive. The DQ boat will let you have more freedom in personal dive style than the LDC boat, if you want to dive solo or go deep...DQ seems to allow you the choice to do so as long as you seem competent.
I get my gear serviced at DQ 90% of the time, LDC 10%. DQ will tell you like it is and have always done good work for me. I’ve found LDC to be pretentious & condescending with regard to gear and repairs….too much ego there for me. LDC has some great employees, but they also have some scuba snobs. DQ seams nonjudgmental & no ego. Both are crazy expensive on repairs and service.
I shop evenly at both shops...and drop way too much money at each! Both are equally over priced. The internet is much cheaper, but we gotta' support our local shops.
For Nitrox fills, I always go to DQ. They are great & consistent about overfilling my LPs. LDC seems to think the FBI will kick down their doors if they do a 10% overfill.
I get most of my instruction (90%) at LDC, my experience with their instructors has been great. LDC is great with private classes, at no extra cost. DQ seems to do their instruction by the class, not by the person.
LDC is primarily SSI
DQ is primarily PADI
Had a bad experience with Underwater Adventures and their policy on not filling tanks with other shops inspection stickers, so I've avoided them since.
The Portsmouth shop only services equipment for brands they sell, which was another wasted trip for me...its their choice to limit their customer pool...I don't go there for that reason.
See you at the hang bar!