NYC dive shop

[wanderlustgal]

thanks for the link. I might have to hit a few of them this weekend.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Do a quick search for " Good LDS in NYC" in the wreck valley section and you will get excellent info on all of these places mentioned above. Nevermind, here's the link http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=105259

The info will go something like this....

Scuba Network = customer service lacking at 6th ave store, not too friendly (LI store is MUCH better), basically no tech gear, decent size store

Pan Aqua = Expensive but friendly, largest on hand stock in Manhattan not counting LP but maybe even, large store

Stingray Divers in Brooklyn = Very nice people, decent stock, better for tech gear than most, nobody complaining about prices yet, more of a LDS feel

Village Divers = Expensive, VERY small closet of a store, mostly tech gear, almost nothing in stock, friendly if you are spending $ and can wait for delivery

LP = Excellent on hand stock, only for buying gear, best prices, customer service friendly but not pushy, not a great place for newbies

Empire Divers = medium to small store, friendly, ok on hand stock, not much info as they are the newest

Paragon Sports at Union quare= Almost no stock, Expensive, Not even worth the trip

Basically, NYC isn't a great place to shop for scuba gear. I would look towards PA, NJ, CT or LI if you want price and service. Business is expensive in NYC and that translates to expensive gear. Nothing personal, just a fact. I would honestly look to Scuba Toys. JMHO's. Good luck!

 

[rje634]

Jump on the PATH and check out Hoboken Dive Center, I've be in there a few times and they were very easy to talk to. Check out there website.
http://www.gohdc.com/

I use Blue Water Divers which has shops in Rochelle Park and Ramsey NJ.
http://www.bluewaterdivers.com

 

[JS1scuba]

Does anyone have any good recommendations for a shop in the city? Female here and I need to get my BC/reg/octo/comp and a 5mm wetsuit. I usually get bits and pieces from Leisure Pro but I need more expertise and patience. I can only find Village Divers, Adventure Scuba and Pan Aqua Diving. Thoughts?

PAN AQUA is the top operation in NYC. (the city, NY, Manhattan - not to be confused with the "island" or the boroughs"

460 West 43rd Street
New York, NY 10036

They are a full service dive center with an excellent reputation and will help you properly fit your equipment. Ask for Jim Peterson there he is the owner and a very nice guy.

Regards,

 

[wanderlustgal]

Thanks all, you have been very helpful. I miss my BIG helpful dive shop in CA. I really need to see the stuff and try it on before I buy it. I'm willing to buy one big piece at a LDS and research and then order online for smaller stuff to balance out the $$$

 

[kirikuru]

I have had decent experience getting a whole setup for my GF at Scuba Network (at both stores in Manhattan) BC + Reg at one, and suit + Computer at the other. Some of the staff are pretty helpful. and since the 6th ave store is just round the corner from Leisurepro, I usually pop over to pick up smaller items (where the warranty is not important).

hope this helps!

 

[blueboy]

I work basically across the street for Leisure Pro, so it is kinda difficult keeping from buying stuff. I usually only buy little stupid things from them. I have gotten attitudes from a couple of there employees and they wont show u things before u buy them. Which is basically ridiculous in some cases. Also I don’t think anyone dives and they will give u very bad advice.

I have got excellent service and prices from stingray divers. I have also relieved good prices and service from Village diver with a few wise cracks. Empire divers has excellent service if not the best but not for tech divers (good if you’re starting out) prices are OK, bad sometimes.

 

[DiveGolfSki]

I'm headed to the Philippines next month and decided I didn't want to go thru renting gear in a 3rd world country (and I vowed next dive trip I would have all my own). The water is cooler temps where I'll be so I don't want to get out there with a wetsuit that doesn't fit properly. Unfortunately I am not very educated as far as BCD/regulator/octopuses and especially computers so I wouldn't feel comfortable just ordering from LeisurePro (I've been in the shop and experienced their un-helpfulness).

I went diving in Cozumel last year in a BCD that didn't fit right and it was a horrible experience. I want to take no chances this time

Wanderlustgal, if you're going to the Philippines, check out the sub-forum Philippine Paradise Divers. It may be third world but there are some dive shops that are first rate. I'm not sure what your diving plans are but there are a whole slew of SBers from the Philippines who can help you.

 

[wanderlustgal]

I don't really have the time to shop for stuff while I'm there but thanks for the suggestion. It's something to consider.

 

[VTernovski]

I work basically across the street for Leisure Pro, so it is kinda difficult keeping from buying stuff. I usually only buy little stupid things from them. I have gotten attitudes from a couple of there employees and they wont show u things before u buy them. Which is basically ridiculous in some cases. Also I don’t think anyone dives and they will give u very bad advice.

I have got excellent service and prices from stingray divers. I have also relieved good prices and service from Village diver with a few wise cracks. Empire divers has excellent service if not the best but not for tech divers (good if you’re starting out) prices are OK, bad sometimes.

I work across the street too.. 23 west 18th.

I agree with your comments about LP. out of all the NYC shops, I think Stingray is probably the best at this point. this is the only shop that I can actually go there now and not get an attitude. The only bad thing about Stingray is the location - even though I live in Brooklyn it's always PITA to go there and parking is a nightmare.

I don't go to Village Divers anymore for personal reasons. Pan Aqua is overprised for most anything they have there., though my good friend works there, but I never ask him for deals becasue I never really need anything that they have anyway. Scuba Network on 6th Ave is run by idiots, not even worth going in.