To upgrade or not to upgrade (regulator)

[fcfang]

Some background info. I got certified in March 08 and have logged about 12 dives since on rental equipment. The equipment I've used has ranged from barely serviceable sand plugged equipment in Monterey, Ca to top notch equipment in Ka'anapli, Maui. I've decided that I've spent more than enough money on rentals and the associated headaches of renting - not available in my size, doesn't fit quite right, doesn't work quite right - and so have put together a scuba package on joediveramerica.com.

I started this quest at my local dive shops and while most were friendly, seemed to see me as a walking wallet. I finally looked online and found a custom package on JoeDiverAmerica.com.

I have a few questions:

Is joediveramerica reputable? Their website says they are, of course but I've also found websites willing to sell me the Brooklyn Bridge, and I'm sure they say they're reputable too! Am I going to have problems getting stuff serviced when things go wrong? It scares me a little that I can't even call them (they don't have a number listed on their website).

For a beginning diver, how important is buying a fancy regulator? I chose the Mares MR12 Rebel as I read good reviews of it on ScubaLabs (tester's choice 2005) and it's very reasonably priced. Am I going to notice a big difference between that and let's say an Abyss for $212 more? My deepest dive was at 102ft in Maui getting my Advanced OW so, being a rec diver, I don't need a reg to breathe easy at 5000ft! I'm going to be hopefully using this setup in Florida, Hawaii and most often at my local spot in Monterey Bay, Ca.

My package as it stands so far...
Mares Dragon (w/o airtrim)
Mares MR12 Rebel reg
Mares M2 Octo
Mares Compact 3 guage (I already have a dive comp).
$734 shipped.

I'm also looking at an Akona 7mm wetsuit for around $200.

Finally, is there typically a better time to buy in the year? More sales, etc?

Happy to listen to your advice,
Thanks,
Frank.

 

[KGNickl]

I'd give scubatoys.com a try. I bet the prices will be better and if not they price match. Also they give you credit to post on their forum (10 post = $10 and 250 post = $50) and offer forum members a 10% discount. Oh and free shipping on $50+ orders. Lastly they are great to deal with.

 

[ZzzKing]

If you're set on buying online there are a couple of things you should check.

1. Are you going to be able to get it serviced locally or are you going to have to mail your regulator off for service?
2. Are you buying from an authorized dealer?
3. If the dealer is not authorized, are you comfortable with the warranty that the online dealer provides, if any?
4. Does the online shop allow returns if the gear doesn't fit?

Around here, there are a couple of shops that liquidate their student gear at the end of the season, usually early October or so. Don't know where you are located so don't know if there is an end of season. I think you are rightly concerned that there is no phone number on their web site.

Keep in mind that the cheapest deal may not always be the best deal.

 

[shoturtle]

I have never brought from Joedivers, but I do not like not being able to talk to someone. I like dealing with Leisurepro and Scubatoys. Both are authorized dealer of the some big brands like mares, oceanic, and Aeris. Leisurepro just had a bigger selection. Both have great service and are reputable.

The Mares dragon is a great BC it is their top of the line, I would get one, but my bc is in great sharp.
The abyss 22 is a nicer reg over the rebel, both are nitrox ready. The M2 octo, my be a discontinue model. Never seen one. The console is a console they are pretty much all the same.

But if you are really going to get serious into diving, I would go for the abyss 22. But the key thing is weather you like it. It is your gear and you need to like the equipment.

That said

It is a pretty good price for an intro package. I would call LP or St to see what they can offer.

 

[fcfang]

Thanks for the responses.

I did end up getting our new rigs from Scuba Toys though as you can see from the date, it took a while. After going back and forth a couple of time with one guy, I finally called back today, talked to Joe at Scuba Toys and he was indeed very easy to talk to, knowledgeable and seemed genuinely eager to help.

We ended up getting a Mares Kaila and Dragon, Proton Metal 12 1st and 2nd, rebel second safe octos and Tusa SCA-240 guages + a couple pair of Pinnacle Aquatics titanium 7mm wetsuits and hoods (It's nut shrinking cold here in the Monterey waters of Cali).

A whole chunka change but hopefully this will be the last I have to buy for a while.