Help With Gear (Selection)

[Fat_Tony]

Guys,

I am really new to SCUBA and I am in the process of shopping for gear. Are there brands to stay away from or stores to stay away from for that matter? Should I go with a package or build my own. I dont know enuff to know what to look out for or what to look for even any help would be great.

What is a good price range to expect to pay for head to toe gear? I have been to a number of stores and get more confused everytime I leave a store. Some packages have tanks some dont etc ...

What should I be looking for?


Thanks,

Paul

 

[Coyote]

Paul,

Is all of Sharky's rental gear the same or do they have different BC, regs etc...? If they have diferent styles you might want to try them out and see what you like best. I noticed you were diving with Scubapro gear in Brockville, what did you think of it?. A lot of people on the board think highly of Scubapro gear.

Barry

 

[scuba_junkie]

Check out the 'Scuba Equipment' section of the site.... there are plenty of opinions and information to get a good start from there.

 

[Fat_Tony]

Coyote,

There rental gear is all the same. Seems to me there packages dont have the same stuff as there rental gear. All the gear I have rented has been good no problems there. Mind you I think I would like a weight intergrated BCD though. I think my problem is I dont want to buy something now and a year from now regret what I got.

Thanks,

Pal

 

[Tom R]

NTD has Halcyon Gear with Scuba Pro regs in the rental program.

Tom R

 

[knives]

Tom R once bubbled...
NTD has Halcyon Gear with Scuba Pro regs in the rental program.

Tom R

yes and it is worth trying the Halcyon gear...I wish I would have seen it before I bought all my gear the first time...once I tried the halcyon backplate setup, i sold all of my other gear and bought the halcyon.

 

[another mike]

The Dive Center in Stittsville is selling their rental gear now, less than 2 seasons and prices are really competitive (Aeris bc's, Oceanic CDX and Delta 2 regs etc.) 613-836-0811 ask for fred

good luck where ever you find your gear, just keep it well maintained and "get it wet" as often as you can!


m

 

[vlada]

As others said - look at the equipment section of this board - tons of info there

In terms of specifics - get what fits you well and what makes you feel comfortable underwater - look for the shop that would either let you try all the gear in the pool or open water and would allow you to return/exchange you gear if it did not feel right

Buying as a package from a local store usually saves you a lot of $$$ as compared to buying separate items - plus they will always be there (hopefully) to service it for you

If you think you are going to dive late/early in the season - buy a cold water reg. Sherwood's (Blizzard and higher) are good, so are Apex, i can't complain about my Scubapro's either.

Whatever regulator you buy - make sure there is a shop in your area that can service that particular brand

Good luck,

Vlada

 

[mglasspo]

Here is a list of things you probably want

7mm farmer john wetsuit
mask
snorkel
fins
wetsuit boots
gloves
hood
first stage reg
second stage reg
octopus reg
air integrated dive computer (if you can afford it)
console with depth and SPG on it if you can't afford the computer
compass
weight integrated Buoyancy compensator
main underwater light
backup underwater light
underwater strobe light/glowsticks
2 80cubic foot compact aluminum tanks
dive flag and float with a reel
save a dive kit
various clips to keep your gear neat.

Now that's just basic gear you need for diving/night diving. There ARE Tonnes of kit you could buy. With the above gear configuration, expect to pay $3000 - $4000

Here's what to look for the make your life easier

- stores that allow you to try out gear in a pool
- comfortable gear that fits you well
- stores that give you a discount on service for purchasing your gear there.
- stores that give you an air for life option with your tanks -- this can pay off really well.
- friendly, knowledgable staff that want to help you and don't mind spending the time with you.

You'll usually get a better deal on your gear if you buy it all at once. Expect and ask for at least 15% off the entire order if you're making a big order. Most stores will help you out a bit here, especially seeing you'll be back in for your annual service and to buy little toys.

 

[MAGELLAN]

Check out Rodale's site. They have rated almost every piece of equipment you could buy, along with suggestions on what to look for etc.

http://scubadiving.com/gear/

As far as purchasing (dont tell anyone) but check out Leisurepro.com Just the mention of this website will cause quite a flurry. You might even do a search for Leisure pro and see the differing opinions about it. One thing I can tell you, you can't beat the prices, the only thing lacking is being able to try stuff on, and worst of all warranites, which aren't really a big a deal as everybody makes out of it. Your looking at saving about 40-50% off what your local dive shop would like to charge you, and when your talking about something between $1000 and $3000 that's a lot of money.

www.leisurepro.com