Hi/Where's the cheap stuff?

[Amphibious]

It is very easy to get seduced into thinking that you need the high-end regulator or BC. If you are diving in open water and don't expect to dive too deep, there are perfectly good choices in much lower price ranges.

Given recreational limits, depth becomes a non-issue. gear crapping out at 130ft is just as bad as gear crapping out at 30ft.

don;t get suduced into thinking just because 90% of your dives are above 60ft you can cheap out on life-support equipment.

 

[Stirling]

Given recreational limits, depth becomes a non-issue. gear crapping out at 130ft is just as bad as gear crapping out at 30ft.

don;t get suduced into thinking just because 90% of your dives are above 60ft you can cheap out on life-support equipment.

I wasn't thinking about "gear crapping out," but about mostly pretty small differences in breathing effort required for some less expensive regulators. I don't consider it a big issue, but if I were planning deep diving I would consider it.

I also wasn't suggesting "cheaping out" on anything. But nobody needs to get seduced into buying a $500-600 regulator when something like a used Aqualung Titan (for one example), or a new Atomic Z1 (for another) can be had for a whole lot less. Most of the so-called "budget" regulators available today are a lot better than the more expensive regulators that many of us dove with 30 years ago. I wouldn't recommend that any budget-conscious recreational diver spend $500-600 for a regulator unless there was a very good and specific reason for doing it.

I would suggest Rodale's review of budget regulators at http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/regulators/16_new_budget_regulators/
and "best new regs" review (including reviews of those available in the lower price ranges) http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/regulators/best_new_regs/
as good places to check out what is available at the lower end of the price range. As they say, *some* of the stuff sold at the low end is "deeply troubling" - and there is no reason to buy cheap crap when excellent alternatives are available in the same price range - but a lot of it is very good, and in my opinion there is no reason not to trust budget regulators from quality manufacturers.

 

[Amphibious]

in my opinion there is no reason not to trust budget regulators from quality manufacturers.

exactly

thats the key, a good brand with a stronf warrenty and/or good service. the Titan as you mentioned is and excellent choice.

I should have made myself more clear.

 

[Stirling]

exactly

thats the key, a good brand with a stronf warrenty and/or good service. the Titan as you mentioned is and excellent choice.

I should have made myself more clear.

And I probably should have added that the costs of ownership (not just buying the thing) should also be considered. A somewhat more expensive regulator that only requires service every two years may be a better buy all around than a regulator that has to be serviced every year. And if you aren't diving enough to justify the costs of maintenance and service, you may be better off renting. (Especially for those who are inclined to "save money" by not paying for the recommended service, and don't know how to maintain or service the things themselves.)

I wouldn't buy anything that I didn't expect to keep and be happy with for at least several years (I actually tend to keep things until they wear out or I don't think I can trust them any more). It is a false economy to buy something that is cheap at the front end, but will not last, or that will be expensive to maintain and repair.

 

[kidspot]

http://www.scubatoys.com - Great to deal with/price matching
http://www.leisurepro.com - Lots of stuff/good prices
http://www.scubal.com - very low prices on in-house BC's & Wetsuits
http://www.scuba.com - Decent prices
http://www.ebay.com - Used/sometimes good deals

Also check with your local dive shop to see if they are selling any used gear from their rental pool...

Try those places - and remember that Scubatoys has price matching - so call them for that when you find what you want -

Aloha, Tim

 

[Kriterian]

Since noone else has said it, I'd just like to add:

Please get certified first before using the equipment you're trying to buy.

 

[doctormike]

Hi Scubers,

Haven't scubad(?) yet, but plan on giving it a go.

Last week I learned to clear my mask. It sux...my throat doesn't want to
draw air in my mouth when my nostrils are filled with water...
imagine that. But I did manage to overcome, and did it about
5 times. Does it get easier? Should it get easier?

Now I'm interested in where to get low cost equipment, because
I'm a poor boy. Can anyone suggest where to get the low cost,
surplus (whatever) type gear? David

I would recommend this:

1) Get certified. For real... with someone who IS a dive instructor, not hoping to become one someday... You will need to buy fins, mask, snorkel for this anyway.

2) Do 5-10 dives on rental gear.

3) If you love it, and have a lifestyle that will let you dive on a reasonably regular basis, buy some good quality, entry level gear.

4) If it never gets fun for you, chalk it up to experience and walk away with all that extra money that you didn't spend on SCUBA equipment.

5) With the money from step 4, take hang gliding lessons, and ask the guys at www.hangglidingboard.com about used helmets or parachutes or whatever it is that they spend their rent money on...




Seriously, always glad to have someone join the sport, and hope that you keep up with our forum. But don't get suckered into buying a lot of stuff early on. Some dive shops really push the retail end of the business to make ends meet. Renting definitely makes sense until you know if you like it, and what kind of features are important to you...

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

For reviews, I suggest you check this site in addition to Rodale's. These folks in the UK pull fewer punches in my opinion.

http://www.divernet.com/equipment/equipment1.shtml

For example, Rodale's gave their 'Tester's Choice' award to every single dive computer they reviewed in a recent article. While the article was nice for side by side comparison, this is like giving everyone in a classroom an 'A' just because we like them all.

And, one more recommendation you contact Scubatoys. Here's the link especially for members of Scubaboard.

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/scub...asp?referer=SBB