Saving Up- What to spend?

[Mthelming]

I am new to the sport and I am looking at buying my own equipment as I live near water and have my summers "off" (teacher). I am not looking at purchasing top of the line equipment. I was wondering how much (price range) I should expect to pay? (Not including tank, mask, fins, boots, wetsuit, snorkel, gloves, knives)

 

[fisherdvm]

How about a couple of bucks for gas, and go to the local library and read back issues of scuba magazines? Every year, they have review articles on mask, fins, BC, regulators, etc...

I would save the money for dive trips, so you can see what your goals are. In the mean time, browse scubaboard and the scuba magazines for pro's and con's of the products.

 

[The Chad]

I would rent for awhile and try out some different things, and figure out what you like and where you want to go directionwise with your diving. Most the stuff you mentioned is considered gear so I don't understand why you woulden't include it unless of course you already have it. Check some online stores and just do some browsing...In my neck of the woods if I walked into an LDS probally 2k with an unlimed ceiling

 

[hunter991]

You can get some really good inexpensive gear. I have sold alot of the salvo regulators, they sell for $250 and are a really great breathing reg. I would try to borrow as many BC's as you can or rent and find one you like. As far as dive computers I would not consider getting an air computer if you can help it. There are some really great nitrox dive computers for less than 400 new.

Brent

 

[Mthelming]

I was planning on renting for a while. I just keep seeing the offers online such as custom packages from $399. And I've seen packages from there upwards of $1,800. I'm sure that I could easily spend more, but I was just looking to see what others thought.

 

[daniel f aleman]

Buy a package for sure. As always, determine how much money you want to pay, and stick to that amount. There are two packages to consider: Personal and, BC and Regulator. These are examples:

Personal Gear Package, http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Package_Personal.asp

BC and Regulator Package, http://www.scubatoys.com/store/Scuba_Package_BC_Reg.asp

I would think that you can get all that you need for $800-$1000 easily, including wetsuit and all the extras that you need. Wait a year to buy tanks...

 

[hunter991]

Personally I would suggest a package, but you could also buy individually as you found gear. I would probably buy a computer first, then either a BC or regs. I think the computer is always a great first gear buy as you can always rent a BC and regs, but computer rentals are difficult as it takes awhile to learn how a computer works.

Brent

 

[DiveMaven]

Definitely check out ScubaToys packages. Great products, great service, great LDS, full warranties. You cannot go wrong doing business with Joe and Larry.

If you're looking for inexpensive, but good quality, I'd suggest you check out Zeagle Envoy regulators. They scored perfectly on ScubaLab's testing, are good quality, and easy breathers.

 

[spectrum]

I am new to the sport and I am looking at buying my own equipment as I live near water and have my summers "off" (teacher). I am not looking at purchasing top of the line equipment. I was wondering how much (price range) I should expect to pay? (Not including tank, mask, fins, boots, wetsuit, snorkel, gloves, knives)

Diving in your local waters is a great way to hone your skills and have a lot of fun. The best diving tis the diving that is readily accessible to you.

With your exclusions I guess that leaves BCD, regulator set and weights. If we assume typical stuff bought new online or at a local dive shop that willing to be reasonably competitive

BCD: $400 give or take $50 with weight integration, save at least $100 without weight integration but it may be spartan in other ways as well. Still perfectly safe stuff though.

Regulators set: (First stage, Primary second, Alternate second and SPG/DEPTH/COMPASS on a console) $550. give or take $100. You may choose to place the instruments elsewhere and wrist boots wont cost too much more.

If I read between the lines your dive computer can wait a while. When the time comes expect to pay $300. - $ 400 for non air integrated. If you snag a model being phased out you can really save some money.

Unless you live near a 24/7 dive shop consider putting cylinders back on your list. Having a tank or 2 standing by in your gear locker will do wonders for your dive count.

Have a great summer!

Pete

 

[TSandM]

The most important thing about gear purchases is to get gear that fits you, and that you are comfortable diving. This is a big issue for getting started, because you don't know much about what you want, and that makes ordering stuff on line or buying used a little challenging, although these are the best ways to save money.

If you have a good idea what you want, I second Scubatoys as a resource. They'll match anybody's price, and the customer service is excellent.

If you don't know what you want, you have the option of renting a number of different configurations and trying them. The problem with this is that it gets expensive fast, and tends to discourage you from diving, and diving is what you need to do a lot of in order to know exactly how things work for you and what you like. It's a Catch 22 situation.

Of course, you can always do what I did, and buy all of your equipment, dive it for six months and replace all of it . . . But that's not easy on the budget!