Hello everyone, I am looking to buy my first set of gear and I need a little help in deciding what to get. I plan on diving near my house exploring a lake which is in a warm climate and freshwater. I dont have much money to spend on top of the line equipment. I basically just want something that works and that I can play around with. I have seen some pretty cheap regulators online but I dont know how they will perform and I dont want to buy something that is complete junk obviously. What would be a good setup would be for a beginner that is just the bare necessities and what is the cheapest that I could get away with? Thanks in advance im pretty much lost here.
noob question
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diver 85
Contributor
Go the used route------lot's less expensive.....
Your best bet money wise is to go with a HOG reg set. You can get them brand new for a decent price. Plus, the breathe great.
Or this edge set (edge also makes HOG): http://www.diverightinscuba.com/catalog/epic-regulator-woctopus-p-2080.html
Or this edge set (edge also makes HOG): http://www.diverightinscuba.com/catalog/epic-regulator-woctopus-p-2080.html
Most the brand names are going to be good. Some regulators won't be good if you are going into tech diving, i.e. deeper than 130 feet. Some will breath easier than others. Some will let water in (breath wet) in certain positions. They will all be fine in a face down, horizontal position. Some, like my current regs, will breath wet when you are upside down.
If you are just going to be a recreational scuba diver, most regulators will be fine. The thing you have to watch for is maintenance costs. Worst case is you buy regulators and cannot find anyone to service them.
Some examples, lets say you find Mares and Sherwood regulator set. The shops which services Mares charges $35 per stage (primary, octo and first) and parts are typically $23. Annual service would cost $128. The Sherwood shop charges $45 for the set and parts are typically $7. Annual service would cost $52. If the Mares was on sale for $399 and the Sherwood was regular price at $449, it might look like the Mares are cheaper but after your first year of getting them services the Mares would cost $399+$128 ($527) and the Sherwood would cost $449+$52 ($501). Every subsequent year, the Sherwood would save you more and more.
These are fictional amounts. It could be in reality the Mares are better priced then Sherwood. The point is, initial purchase price is just part of the cost. Maintenance tends to cost you more because you will, hopefully, be servicing them for years and years.
If you are just going to be a recreational scuba diver, most regulators will be fine. The thing you have to watch for is maintenance costs. Worst case is you buy regulators and cannot find anyone to service them.
Some examples, lets say you find Mares and Sherwood regulator set. The shops which services Mares charges $35 per stage (primary, octo and first) and parts are typically $23. Annual service would cost $128. The Sherwood shop charges $45 for the set and parts are typically $7. Annual service would cost $52. If the Mares was on sale for $399 and the Sherwood was regular price at $449, it might look like the Mares are cheaper but after your first year of getting them services the Mares would cost $399+$128 ($527) and the Sherwood would cost $449+$52 ($501). Every subsequent year, the Sherwood would save you more and more.
These are fictional amounts. It could be in reality the Mares are better priced then Sherwood. The point is, initial purchase price is just part of the cost. Maintenance tends to cost you more because you will, hopefully, be servicing them for years and years.
Thanks for the info guys. I wasnt aware regulators needed to be serviced so often. I was looking at used stuff on craigslist. what do you think of this
SCUBA Gear 2-sets & extra tank
Scuba Gear Dacor 950 Pacer Dive Regulator Gauges& Octopus Like New OBO
Scuba Gear
SCUBA Gear 2-sets & extra tank
Scuba Gear Dacor 950 Pacer Dive Regulator Gauges& Octopus Like New OBO
Scuba Gear
When you are buying used, make sure it can still be serviced. Dacor went out of business and Mares purchased the remains. Some of the equipment was totally dropped and you can no longer get parts for them.
Typically, people will not service their equipment and then sell it. Most often someone will use their equipment and when it is time to service it, they put it away and never service it. Some time later they decide to sell the equipment.
This means if you buy it, you need to service it right away. So factor in the cost of having the equipment serviced. A lot of times I will see something which looks like a deal but after shipping and cost of servicing it, it works out to be saving 10%. For the extra 10% I'll buy the equipment new.
In other cases, people sell the equipment based on what they paid for it and not what it is worth. Case in point, the last link you posted has a Gekko computer for $300. The Gekko was discontinued and replaced with the Zoop. The Zoop typically sells NEW for $300. If you shop around you can find people selling it NEW for $230.
Typically, people will not service their equipment and then sell it. Most often someone will use their equipment and when it is time to service it, they put it away and never service it. Some time later they decide to sell the equipment.
This means if you buy it, you need to service it right away. So factor in the cost of having the equipment serviced. A lot of times I will see something which looks like a deal but after shipping and cost of servicing it, it works out to be saving 10%. For the extra 10% I'll buy the equipment new.
In other cases, people sell the equipment based on what they paid for it and not what it is worth. Case in point, the last link you posted has a Gekko computer for $300. The Gekko was discontinued and replaced with the Zoop. The Zoop typically sells NEW for $300. If you shop around you can find people selling it NEW for $230.
Do you know someone who can get service parts and knows how to service it? It is a rather old model Mares regulator. I believe service kits are still available for it but not all shops will know who to source the parts. Additionally, if it is something they have to hunt to find, they'll most likely charge you more.
At our shop we replace all our Scubapro rental gear every year and have a blowout sale of regs and BCDs. The equipment is durable, easily serviceable and reliable. Maybe a Scubapro shop near you does the same.
dry heat diver
Contributor
If you go the used route, as suggested by other replies, make sure you get the equipment serviced before you try to use it. Better safe than sorry.
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