How long did you wait before ...

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

I'm going to call my LSD to see if I can rent a reg and a BC for the week I'll be in Turks and Caicos. I'll see how much that is to rent. I'd have to rent them down there anyway, but this way, I can maybe rent one for a day down there, and get two different experiences.

And lmorin, great suggestion about writing it all down so you remember when it comes time to purchase.

I want to take this time to thank everyone here for the experiences, suggestions and opinions you've all given. It's very helpful to me, and hopefully to anyone else that's reading this who is in the market for gear!

 

[Buoyant1]

Hmmm let's see...I bought the mask, fins, booties, and snorkel right before I started my classes (for snorkeling, then I decided I wanted to learn to dive) Then I bought my wetsuit for my OW dives (cheaper then renting for 2 days..my LDS didn't carry any that would fit me correctly, and the quarry only had 7mm farmer johns and they rented at $25. per piece EACH day! so a full 3mm from LP was only $100. at the time so it was a bargain!)

After my classes, I bought a computer (as a gift to myself for passing) then since I had used several different types of regs and BC's I knew what I DIDN'T want, so I purchased a BC and my regs the following February (dive shop clearance specials)

Since I resigned myself to the fact that if I didn't dive locally, I'd not dive much at all, I buoght the 7mm suit (hood and gloves) for local diving.

After a summer of cylinder rentals, I felt that it would be a better option to buy one, I did (then bought an identical used tank) The logistics of renting the tanks, using them and taking them back at prescribed times (although the shop is very lenient on rentals) was a pain, so this was better in the long run.

Knowing I was taking AOW last year I started picking up the necessary gear (Knife, lights, slate, etc) throughout the summer, and when I found out what I needed to have for the wreck class I was taking, I picked up the reel, sausage and warm water gloves.

This year I bought another reg (first and second stage) for a pony bottle, and just yesterday I ordered a Dive Rite Transplate system. I will order my 40cf cylinder in the spring when the LDS makes their order and that's probably it for this year....

Next year it's the dry suit! (and maybe the rest of the gear I need to convert to doubles..we'll see)

 

[Noboundaries]

Wife and I got certified in Sept 2004. We didn't dive again for two and a half years because the certification weekend in Monterey Bay with rental gear, 51 degree water, and no visibility just left me flatlined emotionally about diving.

We've been vacationing in Cancun since 2000 and decided last April to try diving again. We took a pool refresher, felt the rush return, and started shopping for our own gear. We did extensive research and ended up with a setup that works in both cold and warm water. Yes, it's been great having our own gear. We've completed 26 dives in 9 months in six trips, both warm and cold. Unfortunately the gear has needed several warranty replacements. Fortunately the manufacturer has been a breeze to work with and our confidence in the gear is growing.

Do the research, know what you want, shop for deals. Packages offer the best discounts especially if it is all from one manufacturer.......then negotiate on the package price. I'm in the business of negotiating. Take all your research information to the dive shop on the last day of a month the last hour they are open. The volume dive shops are your best best. We got two $2300 packages for about $1200 each.

 

[redrover]

It is a to each his own thing, when what gear.

I began purchasing my own after pool dive 1, regulators!
BC and computer after pool 2.
Was scary decisions to make so early, I did a lot of researching and think I did make good choices for me.
Wet suit, weights and better fins after ocean dive 2.
Had some items from other activities and was set to go except for tanks at end of BOW.
Been collecting more along the way, more light, better fitting mask, another warmer wetsuit, core warmer, signal ability, compass and more of lesser and lesser weights.
1st set of tanks got approx 2 month after BOW, then another set a year later.

Use all of the original but 1st set of tanks, still 3 years later. Living at a dive destination certainly swayed my choice to get my own NOW and go diving. If I had to travel, I’d still have got my regulators – no matter what.

I did use 2 different BC’s in class, 1 was what I wanted to buy. I got another (untested) a year after and alternate between the two. I got it mostly for a particular feature I wanted – and was a killer deal on special sale. I had very limited choices to test. I’ve tested another and thought it terrible. Was a demo day and even the rep couldn’t get me trim and my tank was terribly unstable.
I’ve been able to test the other regulator I considered and think it too would have been a good choice.

TS&M – WOW! That was an awesome absence of get a BP/W first since you’re going to anyway!

 

[Tigerman]

I basically bought a complete set of brand new gear, including drysuit and knife (no wetsuit, its not that hot here most of the year) a couple of months after I got certified. Lights didnt come untill maybe 6months after cert..

 

[ScubaAddictedLisa]

Living at a dive destination certainly swayed my choice to get my own NOW and go diving.

So, we're all invited over to go diving with you, right?!?!?!

 

[NancyLynn]

Nancy got her entire set up for $750...

My first regulator, Apex ATX 100 with ATX 40 Octopus, alone cost around $750. For me it was more valuable to spend the money and rent various set ups. Right now, I really don't see getting a new regulator for a few years.

I'm a notorious cheapskate - but I also try buy solid workhorse models that will last and be serviceable most anywhere.

My Sherwood Luna BC, which I bought last November, is the model before the current model. I bought at half price during the inventory clearance sale at my LDS. It was, by far, the most comfortable BC I had tried on in about a year of serious looking - and I don't really care that it that it is an 06 or 07 rather than 08 model. (Got about the same deal on my road bike a few years ago - about half of the current model year price, since I was willing to buy last year's model.)

My ScubaPro reg had a prior life as a rental, but is still under a lifetime warranty (as long as I keep up the service). Ditto the tanks (prior life as a rental). That kept the cost down on those, as well. The octo is new (my LDS is enamored with Air-2, which I don't like, so no rental octos were available). It cost more than my primary!

My computer Aeris X2 was the most expensive single piece of equipment, but even that was an upgrade on a price match (ScubaToys inadvertently left links on their website to a product they no longer carry - and they preferred to keep my santa elf shopping there rather than sending her elsewhere to buy me a computer.)

At some point, I am sure there will be some more expensive equipment purchases. I'm happy for now, though, and will upgrade a piece at a time as individual pieces wear out - or I decide I need more bells and whistles.

It is certainly very easy to spend lots more money than I did - but if money is an issue and you are diligent about ferreting out deals, you can outfit yourself relatively cheaply.

 

[KenJr]

I purchased all our gear ,3 sets,(wife,son and self) before finishing classroom and pool. I wanted quality equipment and also do not think we would have been diving as often as we have if we had to rent the gear. It just seemed like a hassel to go through the rental process every time we wanted to go out. This would not have been a good plan if we later found out we did not enjoy the sport. The only repeat purchase I have made is to go with a back inflate BC for myself, no regrets though.

 

[Tomrone]

Hello!

I'm a newbie. My first class was yesterday. I got all my gear about a month ago. My first time trying my BCD and octopus/regulator and wetsuit was yesterday in the pool. I am pleased with everything so far. The staff at Indy Divers Supply was very helpful and patient. I have no regrets so far.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I had all my own gear for pool session number one. Then bought 2 tanks within a week and half. Then came some smaller lights, wetsuit, and within 4 months of certification a drysuit. 4 years later I have six regs, 3 sets of doubles, 5 singles, a 40 cu ft stage, 19 cu ft pony, 5 bc's including two BPW set ups, and a whole lot of other gear. No regrets here as I use all of it at some time.