Question: Gear - purchase as package or piece?

[saf1]

Hello,

I was wondering if it makes sense to purchase equipment in pieces or if it is better to buy a package deal? I've been looking around and found some equipment I'm interested in yet it seems hit or miss in regards to what a package buys you.

I mean - on one hand you get what seems like a good deal because the local shop can mix and match or give you a break to clear shelf space. Or on the other hand the manufactures are clearing inventory or giving incentives to move a certain line. In the end, it seems the consumer makes out in the end. That is, if it really works that way...

My problem is the inital up front cost. I know the sport is a bit costly but the way I'm looking at it, it is my life down there. Not only mine, but my daughters as well because that is who dives with me. She is still growing which is why I've been looking at buying stuff in stages so I don't have to keep replacing BC's as she grows. I figured I could find a manufacture I like, and buy the regs first, and BC's last.

However, after looking around most shops want to sell me everything at once. I found that I like the Sea Quest Black Diamond BC. It fit well, I felt secure, and it reminds me a lot of the gear I've used in the military.

Sea Quest Black Diamond / BC
Aqua Lung Legend / Regulator
Built in secondary air
Cobra dive comp

Anyway - just wondering how others have purchased equipment. Always two ways to skin a cat so I thought to ask and see what others have done while paving the road

Thanks - have a great weekend.
-scott

 

[countryboy]

Do your research and get the items you want in the package. It is not wise to save a few $$ but have stuff you don't really like and will replace rather quickly.

Look at how much diving you will be doing and where.. Only you can decide if putting out all the money right away is worth it.

Phil (Divesports) and Larry (Scubatoys) seem to have a good reputations for putting packages together for people..

 

[PhilEllis]

Hello,

I was wondering if it makes sense to purchase equipment in pieces or if it is better to buy a package deal? I've been looking around and found some equipment I'm interested in yet it seems hit or miss in regards to what a package buys you.

I mean - on one hand you get what seems like a good deal because the local shop can mix and match or give you a break to clear shelf space. Or on the other hand the manufactures are clearing inventory or giving incentives to move a certain line. In the end, it seems the consumer makes out in the end. That is, if it really works that way...

My problem is the inital up front cost. I know the sport is a bit costly but the way I'm looking at it, it is my life down there. Not only mine, but my daughters as well because that is who dives with me. She is still growing which is why I've been looking at buying stuff in stages so I don't have to keep replacing BC's as she grows. I figured I could find a manufacture I like, and buy the regs first, and BC's last.

However, after looking around most shops want to sell me everything at once. I found that I like the Sea Quest Black Diamond BC. It fit well, I felt secure, and it reminds me a lot of the gear I've used in the military.

Sea Quest Black Diamond / BC
Aqua Lung Legend / Regulator
Built in secondary air
Cobra dive comp

Anyway - just wondering how others have purchased equipment. Always two ways to skin a cat so I thought to ask and see what others have done while paving the road

Thanks - have a great weekend.
-scott

Hi Scott. Buying packages is a great deal IF the package contains the stuff you need. We offer several packages on our website, but what we really do is put together what YOU want and make it a package. That is the way most do it. With only stores, you can get pretty good packages and save a lot of money. At local scuba store, they are often interested in the item by item "margin", mostly because this is what they have been taught to key on. If you want to talk, I would welcome a conversation with you. I'll even pay for the call! Good luck.

Phil Ellis

 

[ScubaThor]

I bought my first BC/Reg/Computer as a package and have since spent thousands replacing all of them. IMO, packages are great when you first start out - as long as you have resigned yourself to the fate of buying newer/better/faster gear at some point down the line. Or, you could skip the first step and just buy a really expensive package to begin with.
My two cents.

 

[TeddyDiver]

She is still growing which is why I've been looking at buying stuff in stages so I don't have to keep replacing BC's as she grows. QUOTE]

For BC, why not BP/W. When she grows you'll have to get only a bigger plate, and maybe some feet of webbing

 

[saf1]

Thank you all for the replies.

The good news is that I have been shopping around and looking so have a basic idea of what I'm after. I was just seeing if it made sense to purchase items in stages but it seems like that is not the "best" solution.

So thanks - that is what I was looking for.

I will also visit the shops online that have been mentioned here in the link. The only thing I have not done, and probably should, is see if the local shops will service the gear I buy. Or I guess the brand I buy, correct?

Thanks again everyone.
-scott

 

[PhilEllis]

Hello,

I was wondering if it makes sense to purchase equipment in pieces or if it is better to buy a package deal? I've been looking around and found some equipment I'm interested in yet it seems hit or miss in regards to what a package buys you.

I mean - on one hand you get what seems like a good deal because the local shop can mix and match or give you a break to clear shelf space. Or on the other hand the manufactures are clearing inventory or giving incentives to move a certain line. In the end, it seems the consumer makes out in the end. That is, if it really works that way...

My problem is the inital up front cost. I know the sport is a bit costly but the way I'm looking at it, it is my life down there. Not only mine, but my daughters as well because that is who dives with me. She is still growing which is why I've been looking at buying stuff in stages so I don't have to keep replacing BC's as she grows. I figured I could find a manufacture I like, and buy the regs first, and BC's last.

However, after looking around most shops want to sell me everything at once. I found that I like the Sea Quest Black Diamond BC. It fit well, I felt secure, and it reminds me a lot of the gear I've used in the military.

Sea Quest Black Diamond / BC
Aqua Lung Legend / Regulator
Built in secondary air
Cobra dive comp

Anyway - just wondering how others have purchased equipment. Always two ways to skin a cat so I thought to ask and see what others have done while paving the road

Thanks - have a great weekend.
-scott

Hi Scott. Buying packages is a great deal IF the package contains the stuff you need. We offer several packages on our website, but what we really do is put together what YOU want and make it a package. That is the way most do it. With online stores, you can get pretty good packages and save a lot of money. At local scuba stores, they are often interested in the item by item "margin", mostly because this is what they have been taught to key on. This make getting the perfect deal a little more difficult. If you want to talk, I would welcome a conversation with you. I'll even pay for the call! Good luck.

Phil Ellis

 

[Jarrett]

I was wondering if it makes sense to purchase equipment in pieces or if it is better to buy a package deal?

Scuba equipment is wildy subjective. I've done quite a bit of online and in the pool research looking for equipment that I like, but keep in mind I'm a newbie so take my advice with a grain of salt.

I was in this position a little over a year ago. My daughter and I were newly certified and needed gear. We ended up at ScubaToys who put us together what I consider to be a very well priced package for us. In an attempt to save money, I skimped a little on the overall package. We got nice stuff, but not the stuff I wanted really.

For my daughter this wasn't an issue, but for a hobby gearhead like me, after a year I basically ended up selling everything I originally bought for myself and going with the things I was fairly sure I wanted back then. For my daughter, I just made sure I got good safe equipment that came highly recommended. She hasn't needed a change in her gear and is very happy with it.

My general tips would be:

Buy in package, but get the shop to build one for your needs - Places like ScubaToys and others will do this with no problem. Pick out what you like and ask them to make a package out of it. Shouldn't be a problem.

Buy all regs from same manufacturer - This will insure that all the regs work well together in primary/secondary configurations. Also when its time to get service, it will be easier. I recommend Atomic B2/SS1 setup.

Dont get a BP/W unless you need it - This board is BP/W crazy and is quite persuasive towards them. Basically, unless you plan to do specialized training like DIR or cave diving, etc. there are easier grab-n-go options that make more sense. But if you forsee yourself ever heading that direction, you might as well get started with one immediately so that you will be more familiar with the requisite knowledge of that setup.

Buy modular BCDs like Dive Rite Transpacs or Zeagle BCDs - These are well constructed, well thought out, modular, back-inflate BCDs that will grow with your size and technical needs.

Spend the money on good computers - Get computers that have all the functions you forsee needing. Maybe you don't dive Nitrox how, but there are chances you might as you continue to dive.

If you know you are hooked on scuba, plan to do a decent amount of diving and have the disposible income, I'd say spend the money up front for the good stuff so you know it works well and you won't be tempted to swap it out later. I wish I had now. Calling ScubaToys and talking to say Kip or calling Dive Sports and talking to Phil about it would be a great place to start. Hope this helps.

 

[halocline]

There are a few things about the last post which I would disagree with. First, buying a reg is fairly easy, because as long as you stick with the reputable manufacturers, you're going to get a reg that works well and is reliable. If you're interested in saving some money, don't go for an atomic reg....they do have a great reputation but there are many, many mid and even low priced regs that will work absolutely fine for recreational diving. Entry level SP and aqualung regs work great, are perfectly reliable, and you can get them serviced anywhere. Buying the "SS1" or other inflator/secondary air source combo is expensive, as well as very controversial from an emergency OOA perspective; stay away from them until you have the experience to know whether one is right for you.

The BC is a harder choice because the different styles feel very different in the water and you won't know what works best for you until you dive with them, usually a few times to get the feel. For me this meant buying a cheap used BC that fit from a friend, getting some diving experience, then trying out a BP/W and never looking back. The same friend that sold me the jacket BC bought a back inflate (zeagle escape) and loves it.

It's confusing buying dive gear for the first time. Good luck!

 

[spectrum]

What they want to sell you (at once) is not nescesarily in you or your daughters best interest. Buying as a package will give you leverage. Package deals are not normally dramatic within the same shop.

If you have the time to shop with discretion you can do as well with sales and promos.

There are a lot of slightly used BCs on Ebay, especially for small females.
If you are gear savvy it's an option. Be sure to get it checked. It may be dated by significant pink accents but she may find it cool.
Not waiting forever on the BCD is nice since knowing that one item intimately is at the core of safe competent diving.

I didn't catch your daughters age but are you making dibed of depth/duartion that make a computer of value? I'm sure the day will come and I note it's at the end of your list.

IMO nix the inflator/alternat secondary combo.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showpost.php?p=1169848&postcount=3

Just food for thought.

Pete