Is LDS soaking me??

[wedivebc]

The delta4 is a great reg. I think if the LDS can come within $50 of scubatoys you should buy locally. That extra $50 will soon pay for itself when it comes time for service warranty or just good kharma.
Support your LDS whenever you can.

 

[Central Fla]

I am not a greatly experienced diver but I have recently spent a lot of money on gear. A few dollars extra to keep your local dive shop in business and on good terms is a price I would pay, I have even bought a BC I knew was 200 bucks over what I could get it for, but I don't buy everything from the dive shop. It seems the bigger the price the bigger the price difference. I research prices before I get there, If I need a reg and mask I research before I get to dive shop and just buy the mask and don't mention the reg. There are benefits to buying local, warranty, repairs and such, and there are disadvantages to buying online, can't size anything or try it. My local dive shop is a great place and I take care as to not offend them. I ended up spending a grand at the LDS and about a grand elsewhere. Some people say they try to get the dive shop to match, but I have not tried this.

Central Fla

 

[spectrum]

Jeckyll, my issue is that there is so much info out there that I am rapidly getting over-informed !! Unfortunantly, I can't "test-dive" regs to see what I like best. Your post should be very helpful. I am looking at the link you posted right now. Thanks.

You're buying in the top shelf range and have local support. You plan significant and somewhat demading diving. That's a match. After that it's just personal preference and that is largely about what any diver has adapted to. If you are looking for a single definitive answer it does not exist.

Generally a diver will consider the gear that brought him back safely from his (her) last dive the best so just follow your bliss. More than any other item I would not blink at a 10-20% premium to garner solid local support of my regulator set.

Pete

 

[stevenq99]

Look on Oceanics website. the msrp of the Delta 4 is $499. There is an Oceanic dealer in your listed hometown that shows the Delta 4 for $449.

 

[jeckyll]

... More than any other item I would not blink at a 10-20% premium to garner solid local support of my regulator set.

Pete

I'd very much agree with this statement. After all, you know your reg will need standard maintenance and you'll want to get this done well and want it done locally

 

[*Floater*]

Greetings all, I am a newly certified diver with high aspirations. I am building my kit and am a "grow into it" type of guy. My mid-term goals are a) Deep Dive b) Wreck Dive c) U/W Photo/Video d)Instructor e) Boat owner/operator. I am in NW Fla and will be doing Gulf Coast boat and shore dives, as well as spring dives.
My very helpful LDS has recommended an Oceanic Delta 4 Reg as my first one. I have spoken to other shops and they have all had differing opinions. I am trying to do independent research (non-retail advice) to narrow down my search.
Any advice or comments would be greatly apprieciated.

If by wreck dive you mean wreck penetration, then you might want to get your reg (whatever brand it is) with a long hose (usually 7 ft), and a short hose to go with it (22" or 24") for the backup. This is what people usually wear in overhead environments where swimming in a single file during an air sharing may be necessary (hence necessitating the longer hose). However, some shops don't want their instructors to teach in the long hose-short hose setup, so you may eventually need another setup as well. Just something to think about. You may save a few bucks if you ask your shop to put in the hoses you want, rather than buying them separately later on.

 

[joshr502]

i have a scubapro mk25/s600 and it it great. no problems with it and it breaths real easy.

 

[Capt Grumby]

Look on Oceanics website. the msrp of the Delta 4 is $499. There is an Oceanic dealer in your listed hometown that shows the Delta 4 for $449.

Wow, I just took your advice and went to the Dealer Locator on Oceanics website. My LDS is there and I bumped his online prices with the prices I got from him in the shop. Between the Reg, BC, Octo and Knife, there was a $140 difference. In the grand scheme of things, that is petty, but I can't help but wonder if this is common or what?

Am I a :wallywink, or just paranoid?

 

[Stu S.]

Diver's Direct is here in Florida. I bought an Oceanic from them. I bought a Mares Metal reg there, too. They discount. And, if you use it and don't like it, you can take it back within 30 days for a full refund. My pal bought a wetsuit there and took it back after he felt it wasn't warm enough. No hassel. Full cash refund. Not many dealers will allow you to do that. Others may let you return it if it is unsued, or for "store credit".

 

[cerich]

Diver's Direct is here in Florida. I bought an Oceanic from them. I bought a Mares Metal reg there, too. They discount. And, if you use it and don't like it, you can take it back within 30 days for a full refund. My pal bought a wetsuit there and took it back after he felt it wasn't warm enough. No hassel. Full cash refund. Not many dealers will allow you to do that. Others may let you return it if it is unsued, or for "store credit".

ALL Oceanic dealers have the 30 day satisfaction with Oceanic Product.