Rental Gear - regulators

[herman]

Welcome to the board and to diving. Typically, the Keys ops do not supply a DM and some require one if you are new to diving or have not dove in a long time. It's not a bad idea to hire one or find an experienced diver to go along with you for a few dives to get your feet wet, even if they are not required...sorry bad pun.
Renting gear is a good option for a while but if you decide you really like diving, buying your own is a good idea. While most rental gear is safe, it's rarely the best performing gear on the market. If most of your diving will be shallow reefs for the near future, I would make computers your last purchase. They are not necessary for that type of dives, you are better served by spending the money diving and gaining experience in the water.

 

[Harshal]

RainbowReef used to provide DM on all your dives for free. I have dived with them in past and they are decent operation.
I would say most of these operations have rental gear, while I was newbie I used to rent from my local shop in Dallas and I was happy with the rental.
I used to rent BC Reg + Comp and fortunately that shop used to have all new gear and they always kept on upgrading the gear.

 

[eko_eko]

My LDS here in Pompano Beach rents very, very nice regulators $13/day. These come with octopus, SPG, compass, and Suunto Gekko computer.

 

[jmmacdougall2]

Wow! Thank you all very much! I have a good idea on what to do for those dives, now. This is why I've been lurking on this board for so long... you guys have been extremely helpful!

I think we'll be checking out Rainbow Reef or the HMS Minnow for one of our dive days. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[chgodvr]

All Regs should be rented with at least a set of gauges. Don't rent one without. Some will rent them with a computer or rent a computer separately. And yes, they may not have a compass, but I would rather see one on the gear.