How do folks navigate buying scuba equipment?

[RIHappyDiver]

If you don't mind sending your reg off for service, I've never had a problem, this is worth looking at for your type of diving. X Series Regulator Single Tank Set . I bought something similar from Deep 6 for my wife for a recent trip to Bonaire and it worked great for her. I've been using a Deep 6 set that is a step up from this for 5 years and it's been great. Yeah, I'm a bit of a fanboy.

Erik

 

[DougA]

I hate shops, particularly those that organise courses.
I did never think that a shop is the proper place to search for technical tuition on an activity which can be deadly.
So I buy online.
For normal stuff like fins, mask, wet suit, low cost computer, etc., Amazon is just fine, you find decent equipment from brands such as Cressi, Mares...
For more technical and critical equipment (regulator, BCD) I prefer specialised resellers of renowned experience.
Some have their own online web sites, some simply sell on Ebay.
For regulator my recommendation is to stay on brands which can be serviced from any skilled technician all around the world and for which service kits are available online in case you want to service yourself (which in my opinion is the only safe way).
So my first choice is Scubapro, the second is Mares, the third possibly Apeks.
I would avoid an Octopus, a crap and low performance second stage.
In case you need it, you want full performances ..
So two identical good second stages, balanced and with the knob for adjusting the tendency to free flow.

makes sense...

 

[DougA]

Warm water diving one to 3 times a year. My advice would be to find a buddy, one who DOESN'T go on warm water trips. Borrow his gear and give him $75 or so for each trip to use his regulator set. LOL. about any regulator should work fine for you - a cheap one that the local shop services is probably smart.

I don't have buddies that dive. Which of course sounds like I ought to join my local dive club

 

[DAJ]

JMHO, but if you plan on one to three dives a year, I would not buy any gear and just rent what you need at the location. Not much of need to maintain a set of gear and haul it around the planet for a dive or two each year. Sounds like routine resort recreational dives that can be comfortabley done on rental equipment.

 

[scubadada]

If something happend to your regulator on a trip, would you be able to get is serviced?

 

[DougA]

I hate shops, particularly those that organise courses.
I did never think that a shop is the proper place to search for technical tuition on an activity which can be deadly.
So I buy online.
For normal stuff like fins, mask, wet suit, low cost computer, etc., Amazon is just fine, you find decent equipment from brands such as Cressi, Mares...
For more technical and critical equipment (regulator, BCD) I prefer specialised resellers of renowned experience.
Some have their own online web sites, some simply sell on Ebay.
For regulator my recommendation is to stay on brands which can be serviced from any skilled technician all around the world and for which service kits are available online in case you want to service yourself (which in my opinion is the only safe way).
So my first choice is Scubapro, the second is Mares, the third possibly Apeks.
I would avoid an Octopus, a crap and low performance second stage.
In case you need it, you want full performances ..
So two identical good second stages, balanced and with the knob for adjusting the tendency to free flow.

makes perfect sense

 

[DougA]

JMHO, but if you plan on one to three dives a year, I would not buy any gear and just rent what you need at the location. Not much of need to maintain a set of gear and haul it around the planet for a dive or two each year. Sounds like routine resort recreational dives that can be comfortabley done on rental equipment.

I meant 1-3 dive trips a year - so probably 10-40 dives... Sorry. Also, I was not in a hurry to buy, but decided that the computer was important to learn (and small), then was convinced of the benefit of the wing-style BCD (not a true BP with wing, but similar buoyancy position), and now finally - will be in Belize at a tiny operation, and they require divers to bring all their own equipment. Otherwise... I am with you.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

What part of Oregon? If Twanoh state park on Hood Canal isn't too far for you, that part of the Canal gets into the mid to upper 70s in summer, sometimes low 80s. Could be a good spot to sort your gear out.

 

[davehicks]

I wrote a ScubaBoard article a while back on how to pick a regulator. It might be helpful!

Info - How to Choose a Regulator

How to Choose a Regulator (an overview of features and their value) One of the first pieces of equipment that every diver will acquire is a set of Regulators. This is one of the most critical pieces of your gear as it enables you to breathe underwater and are considered to be life safety...

scubaboard.com

 

[rongoodman]

If something happened to your regulator on a trip, would you be able to get is serviced?

What are the chances of getting any regulator serviced on a trip? You're going to end up borrowing or renting a replacement no matter what the brand.