I think dive computers cost too much

[daniel f aleman]

Economy of scale, or lack there-of, when a product only sells to one very specific group of consumers. A primary cave dive light is still being hand made by some guy name Bob in Lake City; and, the price reflects a target market even smaller than that of computers.

 

[DiveNav]

I think that the pressure proof container and the related high pressure testing of the final product are an important contributor to the overall manufacturing costs.

Also, remember that $1 in manufacturing costs becomes ~$3 by the time it reaches the consumer :depressed:

 

[WeldonDowd]

If you think they are expensive now, I would certainly not recommend you travel back in time to the 1980s. Just in case you were considering it.

EDIT: Screw the flippant jokes, I am calling BS on the OP. I bought my first dive computer (air only) two years ago for about $175. I bought one for my Dad this year (Nitrox compatible) for $250. You can't get a quality watch for much less than that. And the makers of quality watches don't have to worry about R&D or some idiot suing them for getting bent.

I didn't say watches wern't overpriced too, so don't call bs on me. However, a watch is jewerly and I where it everywhere, even 100 feet underwater. And I guess I'd pay $250 if it meets my above criteria. Where?

 

[SCUBANON]

I'd have to agree with Mopar. Most scuba gear is overpriced.

 

[JS1scuba]

We have some excellent dive computers in our Used Department that are priced well within reason. Check em out.

Regards,

 

[Rhone Man]

I didn't say watches wern't overpriced too, so don't call bs on me. However, a watch is jewerly and I where it everywhere, even 100 feet underwater. And I guess I'd pay $250 if it meets my above criteria. Where?

Well if you believe that lots of things are overpriced then it stands to reason you are more likely to think that dive computers are also overpriced.

There are a large number of competitors in both the watch market and the dive computer market. Economic theory suggests that if they really were overpriced, one of them would trim their margins and increase sales at the expense of the rest (particularly during a period of economic decline).

 

[robbcayman]

Almost everything is overpriced in the scuba world. I've learned not to pay retail and I can still get a great product.

For example, I just bought a brand new aeris atmos ai computer for $425 shipped. While I could have gotten a cheaper computer I wouldn't have had all the bells and whistles. I know people that have paid $275 more for the exact same computer. Not to mention, I got the free training class with the purchase. Just do your homework and you can get some steals out there for good quality high end stuff. Just my .02 cents.

 

[aquaregia]

Dive Computer 1: Oceanic Versa - air only, no alarms, user replaceable battery, stupid UI $20
Dive Computer 2: Aladin Pro Nitrox - nitrox, audible alarms, factory replaceable battery, nice UI $70

 

[Minion_Diver]

You in a sport whose equipment is expensive. Yea its expensive and over priced i can see you concern there. If you dont like the prices then dont buy anything its easy as that. there are people out there who value the equipment for the price that it is being sold at. just because a couple people think that scuba gear is expensive doesnt mean that every company is going to lower their prices. you can pay your $100 for it but again dont complain whenever you may end up spending $100 several times because it breaks and you have no warranty on it whereas by the time you spend all that money you could have bought a new one with a warranty.

 

[TSandM]

How is it decided that something costs "too much"? I can easily say it costs more than I want to spend on the item. But if the company prices it there, and sells enough units to be pleased with the result, is the price too high? It's clearly too low, if the company loses money on each one -- but companies may even choose to do that, if it fits with another strategy (loss leaders). Or, like Patek Phillippe watches, they may price it so high that the price itself becomes an attraction to acquiring the item.

Manufacturers and retailers set prices. I choose to pay them, or not to pay them. In some cases, I wish the item were less expensive, because if it were, I would buy it (suit heaters come to mind). But I don't term the price "too high" as though there were some universal value to the judgment. It's too high for me.