The Comparative cost of scuba, including instruction

[lowwall]

Better to spend that $300 on an entry-level reg with a warranty etc. that will last 20+ years with minimal care.

Except the entry level reg (with octo) is now at least $400. I'm looking at scuba.com and the cheapest options with octo are $400 for a Cressi or Seac set with unbalanced piston first stages. The cheapest I'd actually recommend is the Mares 15x with Prestige second stages for $424. If you are in the US and don't mind mail in service, the DGX D6 package is $450 and includes an SPG so is a slightly better deal.

When that's what a new reg costs, $200 (plus hoses) for a set of serviced stages looks pretty attractive.

Used Gear - Used First Stages - Northeast Scuba Supply Store

northeastscubasupply.com

Used Gear - Used Second Stages and Octos - Northeast Scuba Supply Store

northeastscubasupply.com

 

[Pressurehead]

Cost isn't killing diving, the diving industry is

And nanny state overegulation by shinny arse bureaucrats who know nothing about scuba diving, and what's required to run a dive business, as an example: Hydro of dive cylinders every year here , the full list is too long to post on this site . Oh, and to keep a dive boat " in survey" here is, as stated above. Long story short, it became to cost prohibited to stay in the industry.

 

[Still Kicking]

Except the entry level reg (with octo) is now at least $400. I'm looking at scuba.com and the cheapest options with octo are $400 for a Cressi or Seac set with unbalanced piston first stages. The cheapest I'd actually recommend is the Mares 15x with Prestige second stages for $424. If you are in the US and don't mind mail in service, the DGX D6 package is $450 and includes an SPG so is a slightly better deal.

When that's what a new reg costs, $200 (plus hoses) for a set of serviced stages looks pretty attractive.

Used Gear - Used First Stages - Northeast Scuba Supply Store

northeastscubasupply.com

Used Gear - Used Second Stages and Octos - Northeast Scuba Supply Store

northeastscubasupply.com

My LDS offers name brand reg, octo, console, computer, weight integrated BCD, weights, two years free servicing for under $1k. An option without weight integration and weights is $800.

Scuba ain't cheap but come on.... if you can't save up for that, maybe take up freediving LOL.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

The problem with used gear is new divers don't know what they are looking at. Are there great deals on lightly used gear? Absolutely. But you really have to know what's what and pick and choose.

I see it all the time -- "I bought a whole bag of gear for $300, what a deal! Can you service it?" By the time we go through everything and explain what's worn out/doesn't fit/parts not available etc. they have maybe $150 worth of gear if they spend $200 on servicing.

Better to spend that $300 on an entry-level reg with a warranty etc. that will last 20+ years with minimal care.

For example, would you pay the $300 asking price for this?:

View attachment 879224

That's why I said "You have educate yourself".

 

[lexvil]

That's why I said "You have educate yourself".

Oh no I want the new people buying the best stuff out there, a constant source of great deals.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Oh no I want the new people buying the best stuff out there, a constant source of great deals.

You have a good point!

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Oh no I want the new people buying the best stuff out there, a constant source of great deals.

You mean like buying a box of old diving "junk" for $50 at a divorce sale, then finding a TFX and a brand new shearwater inside?

 

[lexvil]

You mean like buying a box of old diving "junk" for $50 at a divorce sale, then finding a TFX and a brand new shearwater inside?

I don’t have that kind of life, more like an s600 and some laminated dive tables.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I don’t have that kind of life, more like an s600 and some laminated dive tables.

You need to upgrade your wishful thinking standards!

 

[Cthippo]

A lot of dive shops require you to buy gear from them as a condition of being able to take your OW. Even of you had a friend who could loan you gear, you would probably not be allowed to use it.