Respected budget brands?

[chester22]

Give me your 1 or 2 most trusted brands if you have to buy the *cheapest* regs, bcd's, computers, etc.... Thanks

 

[chester22]

Give me your 1 or 2 most trusted brands if you have to buy the *cheapest* regs, bcd's, computers, etc.... Thanks

 

[tbone1004]

well that's a loaded question, you asked for respected "value" brands, but then asked about the cheapest, those aren't the same. Good value means that the price is worth while. That rarely applies to the cheapest and most expensive and in scuba gear, I can't think of any piece of gear that hits the best "value" while being either the cheapest or the most expensive.

Regs-Deep6 Signature is best value, but not the cheapest. If you're trying to cheap out, then you really aren't going to find any "bad" regulators, just a bunch of not great regulators. Scout around the used world for that
BCD- @Bryan@Vintage Double Hose doesn't have the "cheapest" bcd on the market, but it's damn close to the cheapest, and it's definitely the best "value" at this point
Computers-again, loaded question and I recommend you find something used on the cheap, they're all "good enough" but that doesn't make them a good value

 

[chester22]

I cannot change the topic unfortunately, but feel free to substitute the word BUDGET for VALUE if it makes it easier to understand.

And for those who think they are all the same. What about quality control? Does any one brand standout for you?

 

[tbone1004]

I cannot change the topic unfortunately, but feel free to substitute the word BUDGET for VALUE if it makes it easier to understand.

And for those who think they are all the same. What about quality control? Does any one brand standout for you?

Regs- Poseidon, Scubapro, Deep 6 Signature, Apeks, Atomic
BCD's-Deep Sea Supply, Vintage Double Hose, Scubapro, Zeagle
Computers- Shearwater

Now this is not necessarily all products in all of their lines, but it is what it is. None of them are exactly "budget" though. If you're on a budget, buy used

 

[arew+4]

For most gear try to find new, but a couple of years old. You get substantial discounts, and you get the full manufacturer warranty. Since the technology does not evolve by leaps and bounds, you are not going to be obsoleted anytime soon.

 

[rsingler]

Deep6. Not cheap...value!

 

[teonchagi]

Deep6. Not cheap...value!

And sold out :-( I keep checking daily lol.

 

[DangerousDan64]

Just a suggestion that may get me in “hot water” with the local dive shops (!)- you can build a custom kit using discounted and highly rated (you want to look for BOTH criteria) components at Leisurepro. It is possible to get a full kit for less than $1500 there. It’s been ten years since I bought mine but everything came to just over $1200; Sherwood wisdom 2 computer, XS Scuba regulator, Cressi octopus, Sherwood BCD, Bare 2/3 wetsuit and an AWESOME Princeton Tec lamp that is always the brightest beam on any night dive (this last just recently broke and the manufacturer is sending me a replacement in the newer model- now THAT is customer service! Princeton Tec is highly recommended)

 

[diversteve]

Cressi at Leisurepro