Inexpensive Equipment?

[ElectroPulse]

Hello, all! Just finished my PADI Open Water Certification today!

Anyway, for reasons I won't go into, I have an opportunity to use a SCUBA shop's tanks + fills for free whenever I would like (just diving off their dock... About 85 feet deep just a little way out, but it's on a slope so there's plenty of coral + fish at the 60-foot basic OW cert limit), provided I can provide the rest of the equipment on my own. (and yes, I have several potential diving buddies who have the same offer and could go with me as well)

I'm wondering, what would be the cost of an inexpensive, yet reliable, SCUBA setup? I have the fins + body suit + mask/snorkel, so would need to get diving computer (to start with, may just use dive tables) + octopus (with regs and SPG) + BCD (am I missing anything?).

The day-long diving trips out on their boats cost the same regardless of whether you have your own equipment or not (as far as I know), so I could just use rental equipment for day-long excursions.

Because of this, bells and whistles aren't a priority... Pretty much basic functionality is fine (I'm guessing the offer is just for regular air, but EANx functionality would be nice for the diving computer).

For diving gear when I go back to the states, I am planning on saving up and buying some nice gear. But for now I am living on fairly low income and would like to just get some entry-level equipment to get diving and be able to practice skills whenever.

So... How much would an inexpensive, yet safe equipment setup cost? (not really wanting to go with used, due to possible safety issues)

Thanks!
ElectroPulse

 

[tenacious]

congrats on the cert! heres some really goo deals on new equipment:Open Box/Demo/Like New BC’s, Regulators, Computers & Gauges - Scuba Gear

 

[scubadiver888]

You might want to check and see if there are local places to buy used equipment. Around here Mares Puck, Suunto Zoop or Oceanic Veo are inexpensive computers. Stores sell last years model for almost half price. If you can get away with tables you can forego a computer until you see a deal.

If you are going to buy used remember the equipment might need maintenance. Computers will need to new batteries, regulators will need to be serviced. So you want to factor that into the price. A BCD shouldn't need any servicing. If you rinse it after each dive it should just work for years. If it doesn't I wouldn't buy it.

If there is a large dive community, like say Florida, you should expect equipment to be half price.

 

[Bob DBF]

LeisurePro, scubatoys, Piranha Dive, and most any other online Scuba store will have a closeout, specials, demo, or some other named sale page.

I am hesitant to point you towards used gear since, as a novice, you don't know how to evaluate what you find online. However, if the local dive shop helps you find the used gear locally, that would be fine.


Good Hunting

Bob
-----------------------------------
There is no problem that can't be solved with a liberal application of sex, tequila, money, duct tape, or high explosives, not necessarily in that order.

 

[ElectroPulse]

Thank you for the replies!

You know, that's a good idea... Not sure why I didn't think of the idea of asking the dive shop whether they sold used gear, or if they could help me with finding used gear.

Still not sure how I feel about buying used... Never have really liked the idea of purchasing things used. May need to make an exception in this case due to cost limitation, though.

Buying new gear from local dive shops probably wouldn't be the cheapest alternative... Since I'm in Palau, all of them (from what I've heard... haven't gone around to that many of them so far) are geared toward tourists.

I'm wondering, and this would probably change based on the location, but how much do you think (a range would work) a decent used BCD + regulators/hoses + weight belt + (maybe) computer would cost? I'm seeing the prices of new equipment online, and am hoping it's a lot less...

By the way, if this is in the wrong subforum feel free to move it... The internet is super slow here, so I looked through all the subforums and didn't see the equipment section, but turns out it just hadn't loaded that far.

 

[mselenaous]

Dive Right In Scuba. Com is another. You can call Mike tne owner and active ScubaBoarder for advise.

There are also some very reasonably priced brands like HOG, Edge where new with warranty costs similar to other brands used rentals. Not dissing any great deal you might find on Aqualung, Scubapro, Oceanic, DiveRite, etc

As you can see I like referring divers to Scubaboard Sponsors which is the readon tnis site is free to the users.

And lastly, do keep an eye out in our Hot Deals area and in our Classifieds area.

Whatever you are thinking of buying, I encourage you to seach Scubaboard to read what other members exoeriences witn that gear have been. If you dont find enough info, please feel free to ask. If a piece of gear exists, someone on this board has dove it and can offer insights.

Congrats on your certification. If you come down to the Keys, send me a PM.

Happy Diving!
Elena

 

[victorzamora]

Well, it really depends on what you want and what you have access to. I know that prices in the US and Central America are drastically different. In the US, you can get a new BCD from anywhere between $180 and $1000. You can buy wetsuits between $45 and $600. You can get a reg setup between $400 and $2500. In the US, the cheapest and most reliable BCD that I can recommend is the Aeris EX Lite. LeisurePro is selling them for $180. Hog regs are good, cheap regs. You can often get the whole single-tank setup for like $450. Edge regs are by the same company, and are cheaper. Maybe look at them. Another option is the regs from PiranhaDiveMfg.com for a REALLY low-budget option, but not something I'd highly recommend. Computers are nice, but far from required....especially if diving above 60fsw. However, Mares Puck computers can be had for ~$180.

 

[herman]

Don't be too quick to write off used equipment. There is somewhat of a belief in the diving community that used equipment is somehow not as good as new, that is just not the case, at least when compairing equal levels of gear. A new entry level regs vs used (but serviced) entry level regs for example. Fact is, every single one of us dive used gear on every single dive we do....the only difference is who used it last, me or someone else. Granted it needs to be checked out before you start diving with it but there is a lot of older gear that will still be diving when you quit. The key is to know what you are buying. For regs, if you stick with several models of Scubapro or Aqualung (aka US Divers) you pretty much can't go wrong unless it is grossly abused. My number one choice would be one of the UDS/AL Conshelfs. They were made for many many years and are still made for military use. They will take huge amounts of abuse, are fairly inexpensive and are easy to service worldwide. They come in a good many different models but any of them will serve you well, I personally prefer the older metal seconds but the later plastic ones are OK as well. Next would be either the MK-5 or MK-10 SP with a 109 second stage. Rock solid reg, easy to service and it will last you a lifetime as well. Many of us on this board still dive one or both of these regs. Properly adjusted they will hold their own with most of the new regs and will still be diving when the latest and greatest are in the trash heap. Both of which will work fine with rec nitrox mixes with the normal parts kits. Here is an example, serviced (in the $100 range) this reg will serve you well. US Divers Conshelf SE2 w Octo and Gauges | eBay
Speaking of service, don't get too hung up in the idea you will have to spend $100ish to get a used reg service...next year your brand new reg will require that same service.

BCs are simple...if it fits, inflates, holds the air for an hour or 2 and deflates, it's good to go as long as it is in otherwise resonable condition.

For simple shallow shore diving, a computer is mostly a nice records keeper. If your dives rarely go near your NDLs then they really don't buy you much. I do a lot of shore diving, mostly in the 50 ft or less range, often times 4 dives a day and my computer rarely gets even close to my NDLs.

 

[tenacious]

I have just purchased all of my gear in the past month. I started with nothing at all (except some old fins I bought on vacation). new fins are pretty much all I have left to buy.

I would say that I didn't go for the "cheap" stuff, rather got great deals on the "good" stuff.
here is what I bought:

atomic z2x DIN regulator: normal price: $509, I paid $280
atomic titanium ss1: normal price: $379, I paid $200
scubapro pure tek BP&W: normal price: $775, I paid $385
TUSA 360u 3 gauge console: normal price: $280, I paid $130
oceanic geo 2 wrist computer: normal price: $450, I paid $299
Henderson 5mm aqualock
(wetsuit, boots, & gloves) normal price: $575, I paid $297

so in those items above paying retail they would have cost me $2968, instead, I took my time and found deals and only paid $1591 which I am very happy with. I got new gear at used gear prices, a savings of $1377 for me and still got factory warranties on everything.

whichever brands, models, etc. that you chose, take the time to shop around and find deals. they are out there, you just have to look. Keep in mind that with used gear, you will have to pay to have the regulators serviced, mouth pieces changed, etc (more $ on top of purchase price). you will not have a warranty on anything.
I am not knocking used stuff at all, but for me, a brand new diver as well, buying new stuff removed almost any doubts of equipment failures while I was learning to dive. confidence in my gear and peace of mind are valuable to be

 

[diversteve]

New or used, be sure you can get the gear serviced locally. While Hog/Edge may be attractive for the price/quality - it's likely your nearest service option is in Australia currently.

ScubaPro has a less expensive line called SubGear. I don't have any experience with it but have read that any ScubaPro dealer can also service them. SUBGEAR

Otherwise look at Aeris/Oceanic/Hollis - same company. If they have dealer support on Palau, they're often sold less expensively than some of the mainline brands due to their dealer agreements. It's good gear, my buddy has used several of their computers - he could buy anything he wanted.

One other issue to research is that some US purchased gear only has a U.S. applicable warranty. So you may need to ensure that comparable coverage is available from the same company in your area. One example of this is Aqualung - they have a south pacific organization with a very similar name but I don't know if warranty is transferable.