Make Note of Rental Equipment

[DSR-3]

As an occasional diver, I have always rented equipment. Now that I am researching to buy, I sure wish I had included notes in my log book about those rentals. I can recall some of the "characteristics" but not the particulars. There was the reg. that sucked water in some positions, the BC that would not let me purge the last little bit, the stuff that worked great, etc. Also, note the condition/operation of the equipment- if they have to hit it to make it work, it's time to rent/dive elsewhere or get your own gear. I look forward to knowing what to expect before I jump in the water.
-Eric

 

[crpntr133]

This may not be giving the different gear a fair shake. If the LDS doesn't take care of a reg and it breathes hard then you aren't going to buy it. Of course you don't know that normally it doesn't do that.

 

[scubasean]

As an occasional diver, I have always rented equipment. Now that I am researching to buy, I sure wish I had included notes in my log book about those rentals.

I certainly agree that having more data is better than having less, when it comes to spending money...heh

But, even if you had kept notes, you might still wish to consider gear other than what you've rented. I've not seen a dive shop rent an Apeks TX40 reg with a DS4 first stage, but ended up buying two sets and enjoy using them...Also haven't seen a dive rite BP/rec wing combo being rented locally, but have it now and like it alot.

So, though not having the notes may leave some things in the dark, you still have the collective experience of 30K+ peope here to inquire about.

 

[JaxvilleDiver]

Most rental gear is not very well maintained, if even maintained at all. New gear has to meet certain standards before it is sold. Like anything else, if you purchase it new and there's a problem with it take it back, and see if the problem can be rectified / or you can trade on another model. I have yet to have a problem with this.

Another word of advice. Get what you feel comfortable with. Most LDS will try to push you into buying their gear and give you the typical "if it's not brand-xyz then it's not any good." Case and point Atomic's Split Fins and TUSA's Split Fins - - - both made by Nature's Wing - - - price difference about $150-$200. Despite all of that, some in the industry seem to think that the TUSA's are inferior cause they're less expensive. It's the same fin, made by the same company, different color scheme.

Hope this helps!

Dive Safe.

 

[DSR-3]

All good points. A few notes are always a good thing for future reference, not necessarily the final decision. "Conditions", including equipment are rarely the same (not just in diving). I would value the notes on the stuff I liked more than on what I did not. Many of the negatives are probably due to (lack of) maintenance/condition, especially in reg's.
I'm pretty sure that I've never rented the equipment I own, or am looking to own. I would love to demo a BP/W on my coming MX trip, but that seems unlikely- though I do ask about any choices. Have Fun!

 

[Wristshot]

Um. . . The important thing about this suggestion (and I think that it is a good one actually) is to pay attention to the FEATURES (or lack of) on the equipment that you rent. Granted rental gear usually has very few features, but if the zipper for the pockets is in the wrong place or the chest strap rubs you the wrong way, then that would be important to remember. If the computer has the buttons you like (or dislike) it is good to use that info as a reference.

Same goes for gear that you look at in various shops before you buy, and in the gear that buddies use. Take a close look at the features. Something that you see may strike you as being pretty cool to have.

Just a few thoughts,


Wristshot

 

[Iruka]

Good idea, but in general, rental gear is often the lowest priced stuff offered by a particular manufacturer. Even though it's not high end stuff, it should be safe and adequate for recreational diving. So it usually doesn't make financial sense for a company to spend double or triple on rental gear. Another reason is (some) customers really abuse rental gear, and you don't want to have to replace really expensive stuff. The worst abuses (I've seen) are with "intro" (discover scuba/try dive/etc) divers on the beach. If you don't prevent it, they walk all over the place in fins, wearing them out very quickly. One situation I saw was hard to believe. There's a place here (Fish Eye Park) where we do a lot of beach dives. Often our customers are small Japanese & Korean women. There's about a 5-minute walk from the beach out to where you can actually dive, so if it's high tide, the EASY way to do this is have the customers remove their BCDs, fully inflate them, and float the gear, pulling it out to the diving area. Once I saw a group of 4 returning to the beach, using this method. Only problem....it was LOW tide....meaning there was no water over the last 30m/yards or so.....and they were dragging, via the 2nd stage, the BCD and tank over the rocks!