New Diver_needs Help

[Deep_Diver]

Hi everyone, I just finished my open water course and i need to get some gear. I've been to a couple local shops here in the Washington/Vancouver area and also I have looked on the web. I was just wondering if anyone can suggest a good dive store or website i can order from that has good prices and decent service. Warranty would be nice too. Thanks in advance...

 

[PerroneFord]

Hmmm,

With a name like deep diver, are you planning on heading to the lower depth's of the ocean? It might be helpful if you indicate what kinds of diving you hope to do in the next year or two, perhaps indicate some budget, and maybe indicate what kind of gear you want to buy.

Are you looking to FULLY outfit yourself including tanks, etc. Or just more basic gear? Also it might be helpful if you would indicate your tolerance to buying gear now, perhaps selling it later on, and upgrading as your tastes change.

Being that you are in cold water, you are going to need slightly different gear than some from say, Florida who is diving in 80F water all the time. Did you certify in a wetsuit or a drysuit?

 

[spectrum]

Good point! Diver info especially a complete profile always help when looking for input.

Pete

Hmmm,

With a name like deep diver, are you planning on heading to the lower depth's of the ocean? It might be helpful if you indicate what kinds of diving you hope to do in the next year or two, perhaps indicate some budget, and maybe indicate what kind of gear you want to buy.

Are you looking to FULLY outfit yourself including tanks, etc. Or just more basic gear? Also it might be helpful if you would indicate your tolerance to buying gear now, perhaps selling it later on, and upgrading as your tastes change.

Being that you are in cold water, you are going to need slightly different gear than some from say, Florida who is diving in 80F water all the time. Did you certify in a wetsuit or a drysuit?

 

[ChrisA]

Hi everyone, I just finished my open water course and i need to get some gear. I've been to a couple local shops here in the Washington/Vancouver area and also I have looked on the web. I was just wondering if anyone can suggest a good dive store or website i can order from that has good prices and decent service. Warranty would be nice too. Thanks in advance...

Go to the West Canada/BC frum and ask about dive shops near you. I wasplanning a trip up
to BC a while back, asked that question and got many good replies. The trick is to ask a
single straight forward question like "what are good shops is this exact aera" and NOTHING more.
Then later post in the Exposure suit formum "is 7mm wetsuit enough for 52F water or will I want a
vest/short under it?" don't mix that question with one about brands. and which is best.
It's more work for you but in the end you can better answers Your question here is really 100
questions and you give us little informatin so no one can give you more than a generic answer

When you ask about gear be sure and say if you are a twice a year warm water vaction diver or if you will be doing 100 dives a year from the beach. Or maybe your interrrest in is something else.

That said you can't go wrong it you stick with "big name" (ScubaPro, Aqqualung, ....) brands
and buy thier middle of the line equipment. As long as it all fitsand is servicable by the local
shops

Look at www.scubatoys.com they offer good service will match prices and only sell stufthey can give a warenty with. But if you want Scubapro or Aqualund AND a factory warenty
then you need to buy face to face.

 

[cobaltbabe]

Why don't you try renting different gear configurations and decide what feels good to you. And as was indicated above you really want to know what direction you are going with your diving. Have fun and dive safely.

 

[pearl4diving]

Aloha Deep Diver,

I agree with what they said . Really, renting gear is a good idea, so you can determine what you do and don't like... Also, the answers to the questions regarding what kind of diving and where you plan to dive would be helpful.

General recommendations :

1. I highly recommend a BCD with integrated weights - I love mine.

2. Leisure Pro has some great deals on gear. I think most SCUBA gear has manufacturer warranties http://www.leisurepro.com/

Good luck - this is a fun part - shopping!

 

[scubatoys]

2. Leisure Pro has some great deals on gear. I think most SCUBA gear has manufacturer warranties http://www.leisurepro.com/

Uh... actually most their stuff is gray market with no manufacturers warranty... Here's a quote off their page in the warranty section of FAQ:

Warranty Information
We are not authorized dealers of some Manufacturers, and some of the products may not be accompanied by the manufactures Warranty valid in the United States and/or with an English manual

But it will not be hard to find authorized dealers that will have comprable pricing, and then you'd get a full manufacturers warranty as well.

 

[DiveMaven]

Deep Diver, I'm assuming you're in Vancouver Washington, not Vancouver BC...correct? I live in the area and might be able to help you. The two shops that we really like are Seven Seas Scuba (John is really great) and Thunder Reef Divers (ask for Chris or Nikki). Prices at both are what you might expect from any LDS. There are a couple of shops in Portland that we've been to, but prices were higher than Vancouver and inventory seemed to be lacking.

Did you certify locally? Who with?

However, we've bought our major gear at two places....my husband's stuff from Thunder Reef (he has Aqualung, Oceanic, and SeaQuest), and mine from ScubaToys (Zeagle and Aeris).

 

[Scottri]

Under Water Works in Tigard Oregon has a pretty good selection and a great staff. They will work with you to help you choose equipment for your present and future diving needs. They carry Aqua Lung/US Divers, Apeks, Sherwood, Sequest and several other good brands. Ask for Dave, he is a great guy to talk to and won't try to hard sell you on anything. He has been in the business for 30 years.

Scott

 

[ScubaSarus]

If you are going to deep dive, Id'e definitly go with a LDS for your gear. They will make sure its in working order and there to support you. Even if not diving deep give your LDS support and get a good relationship going. Were are you going to get airfills or are you just going to dive on vacations ?