Singapore - trying and buying

[KathrynA]

I want to pick up some gear when I'm in Singapore - I've seen the other posts on shops in Lucky and Concourse, however, can anyone tell me if any of these, or anywhere else, will let me try some BCDs in the water before I buy them. I have a rough idea of what I want but I want to try a few things on first (there are no dive shops where I live so I can't do this before I go).

Thanks for your help!
Kathryn

 

[Zippsy]

I can't think of any shop that would allow that here. Maybe (and a slight maybe at that) if you are a pretty regular customer of a shop that also taught classes, they would let you try out one during a regular pool class but I'd bet it would be hard for a visiting tourist to convince a shop here to let them do it. I could be wrong as I have never tried but I've never heard of it either and, knowing the shop owners, it would surprise me greatly.

 

[dive_lover88]

yep...didnt try my bw/p when i bought it ...gd luck trying.

 

[drbill]

The obvious answer to me is: if any of the shops have rental BCD's of the same model, rent one and try it on a few dives before you buy. Our shops here will do that, but of course there is a dive site within easy walking distance of the shops. Since this answer is so "obvious," there must be something I'm missing. Even though my friends in Singapore tell me there are few dive sites nearby, you could head to somewhere like Tioman from Singapore and try them there.

You might even be able to get an arrangement whereby the rental costs could be applied in full or in part if you did purchase. Our shops here will do that.

 

[Wolverine]

Suggest you try as many BC's when you are out diving before you buy one. The shops in Singapore are pure retail, so they don't rent out their gear. Go Tioman or do some weekend dive with a Singapore dive operator and ask if they have different BCs for you to try. Then you can decide what is comfortable and what is not.