Rent or own?

[Gombessa]

Hi all,

I just received my OW cert in December. I'm planning my first dive trip for April, but I'm not actively planning more than 1-2 dives per year. Here's my Q:

My certification program provided everything I needed. I have a pretty decent mask and snorkel. Now I hear that most divers at the least own their own hood, gloves, boots, fins. Is this the case, or can I usually get away with renting these (along with the tank, BC, etc.)?

Thanks!

 

[Jimmer]

I would recommend owning mask fins snorkel, and maybe boots. If you're only going to be diving a couple times a year, rent the rest.

 

[k4man]

If you're only planning 1-2 dives per year....don't waste the money. Mask, snorkel, fins are the basic that you should own.....past that with 2 dives a year??

On a different branch of the question, why only dive 2 times per year?

 

[samnewsom]

i am new to diving as well both me and my fiance we are still going through ow we finish on the 23 feb and are planning a trip to belize we decided to buy gear just for the reason of getting used to our own gear we bought everything but tank not sure how much we will dive each year i know we have two trips planned this year but we feel it was a good investment being your life depends on your equipment and we know our is good and taking care of just my opinion spend the money

 

[adrisen]

I bought my own gear once I was certified, but I dive on a regular basis. I found that becasue of the amount that I do dive it was worth the purchase. Who kows you might end up doing more diving then you expected then you might want to consider your own gear. Personal gear such as mask, fins boots and snorkel, + a reg were my first purchase. I then added a computer shortly after. Wetsuit becasue too costly to rent and added one with a BC. I now have tanks and everything I need. I need to replace a few things now. I need a new mask and I am really picky on that one and I can't find one that I need.

I had to keep one thing in mind, gear does need to be serviced. So if ou only do 1-2 perhaps 5 dives, does it pay for you to own tanks that need to be serviced! Get what makes you happy. And have fun diving

 

[Gombessa]

Thanks for advice everyone!

K4: While I definitely hope for more than a couple dives a year, work and scheduling just leads me to be a bit conservative on estimating my free time

Of course, if I end up going on more than 5 dives a year, I probably won't have to ask whether I should own fins

 

[Scuba-Jay]

All depends on how much you plan to dive. I for one hate slipping into rented gear that goes right up against my skin (wet suit, booties, gloves) as ive seen first hand the "cleaning" methods used by some shops. GL!!

 

[Tonio Anastasi]

Hi all,

I just received my OW cert in December. I'm planning my first dive trip for April, but I'm not actively planning more than 1-2 dives per year. Here's my Q:

My certification program provided everything I needed. I have a pretty decent mask and snorkel. Now I hear that most divers at the least own their own hood, gloves, boots, fins. Is this the case, or can I usually get away with renting these (along with the tank, BC, etc.)?

Thanks!

You got your ABC.
For one or two dive a year, rent.
However if you will get to like diving and would want more
I would recommend a wet suit and a computer from the start.
The latter will help you maximize the time you spent in the water, making your fun money go farther.
Renting has the advantage that you will be able to try various regs and bcds, so you will have a starting point of likes and don't likes to base a buying decision on.
Unless you find a store with a try it out in the pool policy.

 

[skywalk]

definitely own your own wetsuit, mask, fins and booties. I would say dive comp next, then BCD/reg. after I heard about how many pple pee in wetsuits....nuff said.
then I found out that one of my friends choked on somebody's puke that got stuck in the reg....no more rentals for me.
BCD: there's nothing like a personalised BCD that fits perfectly. but if you dont dive that often, then I guess it's up to you. if you have spare cash then why not.

 

[fisherdvm]

I've got my own gears, and I like them. However, with the travel regulation, inspections at the border, etc.. It is easier, and might be safer (?? - relative to the quality of gear you dive) to just use rental gears.

At least in the US, dive shops are held liable if their gears are not properly maintained. Overseas, most of the LDS, except a few, have fairly good and "almost new" appearing gears.

My worry is damage done to soft luggages, and inspectors that like to take BCD apart... Check your gear on arrival to make sure no leaks occur (they might lose an O ring here and there). I've heard inspector who takes apart valves to check for contraband.

I like my custom mouthpiece. You can put it on a rental reg, and replace their mouth piece when you are done. I think a prescription goggles are well worth the investment. Most boat dives have enough full foot fins to fit most everyone.