diver 85
Contributor
Anyway for you to get certified from someone that supplies weights & belts??....I'd do a little more looking around....
newbie question about weights and weight belt
- Thread starter s.s.seafan
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Herk_Man
Contributor
+1 on finding another dive shop. If they are not well equipped enough to provide something that is provided by 99% of the industry to new divers, I would have doubts about other areas that they may be skimping on.
Herk_Man
Contributor
NOBODY brings their weights with them on vacation. You are going to have a hard enough time meeting the 50lb bag limit just with the regular dive gear. Some people need over 20lb of weights, especially new divers still working on buoyancy.
I'll say it again. Don't buy weights. Don't do it. Find another dive shop.
Damselfish
Contributor
there was a bunch of discussion here a few months ago about shops requiring weight, or not. Personally I think it makes no sense for many reasons:
- there's no way to know how much you are going to need until you get in the water
- the amount will probably go down after some dives
- even after you know about how much weight you need, you will want to experiment with the size of the weights and placement
- you don't know what type of belt you want or if you will choose a weight integrated BC, which will also affect the size and possibly type of weights you want
- if you plan to stick to tropical diving, you won't use the weights anymore - aside from maybe the occasional small trim weights, people don't pack their weights for air travel. (Every dive package in a vacation destination will include tanks and weights because they don't expect people to travel with them.)
If you do eventually decide to use some sort of weight belt rather than a WI BC, you might consider getting one of the mesh zippered belts with pockets. Light for travel, quick to dry, easy to put in the weights and change weights around, and slightly more comfortable than lead blocks on a webbing belt. Most operators will supply simple webbing belts and it can be a slight nuisance to get them set up right, especially if you are not in a situation where you can set up your belt once and use it for the whole trip.
- there's no way to know how much you are going to need until you get in the water
- the amount will probably go down after some dives
- even after you know about how much weight you need, you will want to experiment with the size of the weights and placement
- you don't know what type of belt you want or if you will choose a weight integrated BC, which will also affect the size and possibly type of weights you want
- if you plan to stick to tropical diving, you won't use the weights anymore - aside from maybe the occasional small trim weights, people don't pack their weights for air travel. (Every dive package in a vacation destination will include tanks and weights because they don't expect people to travel with them.)
If you do eventually decide to use some sort of weight belt rather than a WI BC, you might consider getting one of the mesh zippered belts with pockets. Light for travel, quick to dry, easy to put in the weights and change weights around, and slightly more comfortable than lead blocks on a webbing belt. Most operators will supply simple webbing belts and it can be a slight nuisance to get them set up right, especially if you are not in a situation where you can set up your belt once and use it for the whole trip.
By "Have your own weights" they may just mean you have to BRING your weights and belt to the pool, and that they are planning for you to come get them at the shop and return them.
Since everyone requires different weighting, it makes sense that they want you to have "your" weight belt with you. (meaning the one you are going to USE.)
I know that's what I did. Tell them what you told us - i.e. :
1.)You are unable to get there during their business hours and
2.)You don't want to pay to use them, is that what they meant? (Should be part of the class cost/rental gear package)
Since everyone requires different weighting, it makes sense that they want you to have "your" weight belt with you. (meaning the one you are going to USE.)
I know that's what I did. Tell them what you told us - i.e. :
1.)You are unable to get there during their business hours and
2.)You don't want to pay to use them, is that what they meant? (Should be part of the class cost/rental gear package)
fnfalman
Contributor
A quick google search shows Gigglin Marlin Divers requirement for OW and yes, weight & belt are required, as is "defog".
Gigglin Marlin Divers : Houston's Scuba Training and Equipment
That's one right there that I would "X" of the list. Requiring to have defog goo? Gimme a break!!!
Here's a shop in the Houston area that provides for EVERYTHING. I spoke with the guy there (Jeff Gordon - sounds like he's the owner or manager of the joint). He meant everything as in everything that one would need to dive including snorkel, mask, fin, boots, gloves, etc., PLUS BC, reg, etc. All for $300.
Sounds like a no-BS but nice guy when I spoke with him.
Maximum Scuba Houston
6423 Richmond Ave.
Houston, Tx 77057
(832) 582-7280
OP
s.s.seafan
Contributor
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funny you would mention that, that happens to be the last of the four shops that I had in mind. called today, and sure enough, they require weights, and they only sell soft weights too.
so 4 out of 4, all requiring weights as part of "personal gear". makes me wonder, has the "industry standard" changed since you guys learned to dive (presumably years ago)?
Thanks for the suggestion of Maximum Scuba, I'll check it out. I'll also take another post's suggestion and post to ask in the Texas forum.
fnfalman
Contributor
Industry standards hadn't changed. Just these shops.
Check out the Texas forum and see if you can get some feedbacks on Maximum Scuba.
Usually you can tell a BSer when you talk to him, but this Jeff Gordon fellow sounds pretty genuine. The class without having to buy personal gear is a first for me. At least while in the US anyway. $300 is just about right for industry standard for OW. I've seen some classes going for $275 but by the time you add another $200-300 on top of that for basic gear...that $300 all inclusive price is a bargain.
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