Newer diver considering purchasing gear

[Kryssa]

Hello all,

I'm a newer diver and considering purchasing some gear. I'm thinking I might buy a reg, BCD, and computer, but I'm not sure in what order and how much I need to spend to get quality stuff. I'm considering buying used but I'm not sure what is the best source.

So... what should I do? I'm thinking reg and BCD before computer because I am on a limited budget and I can dive with tables for weekend dives. On my rare longer trips I can rent a computer.

What do I need to spend to get quality gear? I don't need top of the line stuff, but reliable and easy to use stuff that will last.

Is buying used gear a good way to save money? Where is a good place to buy it?

Thanks for any advice you can give!

 

[aquaregia]

I've bought all my gear (extremely) used on Craigslist, however I have a certain propensity towards buying broken things and fixing them. I've gotten a few things that I liked (BC) and a few things that I got ripped off pretty well on (a different BC, some fins), so I'm not sure it's necessarily cost effective.

I'm only recently certified, but I've bought most of the essentials except a computer. I drink air way too fast to get anywhere near NDL on two tanks in Monterey, and I haven't been able to convince my friends into a second surface interval for a third tank. I'm going to the Channel Islands soon though, and sort of considering renting a computer for that.

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

Congratulations on considering purchasing your own gear. I must say sincerely that diving with your own equipment generally adds comfort and pleasure to the dive, and isn't that what we are diving for in the first place anyway?

Item number one, after mask, fins, & snorkel, is your exposure protection. Get something you like to be in, that fits well, is appropriate for the kind of diving you are planning, and is not someone else's personal toilet.

Next would be a BCD. Having your own really changes your mindset, and rather than struggling and blaming the BCD, you learn to improve your diving skills with your own gear, and become one, if you will, with your BCD.

Regarding a computer, I would recommend taking the time to research and own one, and really learning to understand what it is saying to you. You so often will see divers diving with computers who are clueless what information is there for them, yet they feel "safer" or "more qualified" cause they have some fancy hardware on their wrist. Bad idea. Worse than not knowing what your own is telling you is renting one, and knowing even less. And you can take your own computer wherever you go diving, even if it is air integrated, with just a simple wrench required.

The last item I would recommend is the regulator. There are so many good ones and they are easy enough to rent, and unless you are doing some very deep or extended diving, any mid or upper level regulator will fill the bill, and that is what you will find in most rentals. When you are ready, make this final purchase.

And I would not recommend used, there are plenty of options for new gear at reasonable prices. Here is a good source: ScubaGearPlus

Hope this helps!

 

[djb_1965]

Many people will not agree here, but Find a local Dive Shop you like. They can personally help you pick out gear. Wetsuit #1, BC #2, Regs #3. Computer can wait awhile, a dive watch and depth gauge and your dive tables will give you your pressure groups. A good shop can help you with gear for the diving you are gonna do, plus take care of your tank and air needs. Life support systems are ones I would not get second hand until you are very experienced and know what you are dealing with.

 

[RJP]

And I would not recommend used, there are plenty of options for new gear at reasonable prices. Here is a good source: ScubaGearPlus

Hmm...

ScubaGearPlus: 601 Yoder Road, Harleysville, PA 19438

Indian Valley Scuba: 601 Yoder Road, Harleysville, PA 19438

Coincidence?

Nobody here minds if businesses recommend themselves, but please don't do it in a misleading way. Leading the reader to believe you are directing them "elsewhere" rather than towards yourself is more than just a bit disingenuous.

There's nothing wrong with saying "Forget used gear, go with new stuff. We've got a ton of stuff in stock, Check out site at www..."

But to offer "and I would not recommend used, there are plenty of options for new gear at reasonable prices. Here is a good source: www..." as if you were just another diver offering unbiased info to the OP? C'mon. You're above that, no?

 

[Indian Valley Scuba]

How's this? Forget used gear, go with new stuff. We've got over one million dollars in inventory in stock, from 130 manufacturers! Check out our on-line store at Scuba Gear Plus - Get Wet Not Soaked! - Great Gear, Great Savings!, or better yet, call us at 800-825-2452. You'll know you made the right call!

 

[Herk_Man]

That... just... happened!

 

[keithdiver]

How's this? Forget used gear, go with new stuff. We've got over one million dollars in inventory in stock, from 130 manufacturers! Check out our on-line store at Scuba Gear Plus - Get Wet Not Soaked! - Great Gear, Great Savings!, or better yet, call us at 800-825-2452. You'll know you made the right call!

You are funny Dave

 

[diver 85]

For me due to distance from other divers & LDSs, the only place to buy used gear is here, on SB......There are some good deals every once in a while, you just have to keep looking....

 

[robint]

you are going to get lots of different opinions here on SB.... I will give you mine, from my own experience:
we bought cheap fins, snorkel, and masks along with cheap shortie wetsuits when we got certified. The masks didn't fit right and leaked, the fins wore blisters on our feet (we didn't get booties and open heels like LDS recommended), and the wetsuits we bought online fit but were too thin and not much thermal protection. Within 6 months we had replaced everything! We thought we were saving so much money and ended up wasting it!
After we replaced all those items, we decided to buy BCs and regulators. We went around to all the dive shops in own city and a city nearby (we lived in CO at time and lots of dive shops there!) and we tried on every BC until we found the ones that fit us. We bought them along with regulators we thought were good middle of the road setups, with gauges, not computers.
Well, the BCs were good investments, but we immediately upgraded to computers (wow, diving is so much more fun and less hassle with a dive computer!!). Then after another year of diving I gave my reg set to my daughter, and I got my husband's reg (better than the one I got) and he upgraded to a really nice one. Can you see where this is going?????
Within the first 3 years we had completely replaced every piece of gear we bought, with the exception of BCs. Those we did upgrade later on, (we now both own 2 working BCs) when my husband went on to Professional level and we both got discounts at the LDS.

Best investment - our own regulators, BCs that fit like a glove, and dive computers!!!

You will dive more and enjoy diving more if you own gear, and don't waste money of "great deals" as sometimes they turn out to be money drains. (remember you need to get your regulator serviced every year so get a good one with a good warranty, keep it in warranty by doing your annual service!)

Scuba is not a cheap sport, but if you compare it to golf or skiing it isn't out of line. Plus your dive gear is your life support system.

Just my 2 cents.
robin