Utila - Buying gear

[bgrindberg]

Will be going to Utila in January. As I am fairly new to diving and only dive when on vacation - can't be bothered with the cold water over here - I have not yet bought my own dive equipment. What's your opinion prices for gear, recommendations on shops, etc..

Thanks for your input!

 

[CODMAN]

Why don't you simply rent the gear? That way no hassle with transportation.

Honnestly, if you really want to buy the gear, I would suggest you do it before your trip so you can try everything out in a pool and make sure it works and you get used to it. Vacation time is priceless, and having gear problems is not a fun thing. Not only is it more dangerous than in a pool, but you can ruin several dives because of it.

Also, buying over internet is certainly cheaper.

Just my 0.02$

 

[PhilEllis]

If you want your own gear, I say buy it. Pride of ownership and elimination of gear reliability concerns drive many to purchase.

We have some AMAZING phone-in only deals on Oceanic packages for the remainder of this week. Give me a call at (800) 601-DIVE and I will make you an offer you can't refuse. Thanks and enjoy your trip!

Phil Ellis

 

[hopefulist]

I really love having my own mask, snorkel, and fins, especially the mask. I have a smallish face and fit and visibility are so very important. If you order online be sure you have time to return if the fit isn't right. For what it's worth, I have Oceanic stuff and really love it.

I have lots of toys (magnifier, id cards and books, inflatable orange tube, dive light, etc.) but haven't bothered to purchase the big stuff. I typically travel for a couple of weeks in addition to the dive part of a trip and like to travel light. Also, I only get to dive a few weeks every year or 2 and don't want to bother with the care and conditioning plus I've had good luck with rental gear.

I wouldn't consider buying in Utila - not much selection that I could see. There are lots of shops so you can choose when you get down there if you want. Lists and links are here if you're interested: Utila Official Site - Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras - Tropical Island Paradise.

Have a great trip and please tell us all about it when you get home. I won't be heading back to Utila till August. Happy trails!

 

[Cudabait]

Will be going to Utila in January. As I am fairly new to diving and only dive when on vacation - can't be bothered with the cold water over here - I have not yet bought my own dive equipment. What's your opinion prices for gear, recommendations on shops, etc..

Thanks for your input!

Check out Gunther's/ecomarine and Deep Blue Divers on Utila Official Site - Utila, Bay Islands, Honduras - Tropical Island Paradise. See if they still furnish gear for a 10 dive fun-dive package. I'd get at least my own mask, snorkle & fins. Also, if you'er planning on staying in and all-inclusive resort you may have to have al your own equipment.

Regards,

 

[James Bond boat entry]

I spent the summer on Utila teaching and messing around, the diving is better on Roatan (West End), maybe you could divide your time between the two?? Gunters Ecomarine is good, but I worked for them so... at least check them out.

My gear recommendation for your trip

Mask. <- Mares are crap.
Fins with Booties. <- all brands good, split fins are good when you are heavily weighted &/or no current

Next time...

Computer (Nitrox without computer download capability, big display, easy battery replacement)

You can get gear at good prices on the net, but you should support your local dive by purchasing there, if you intend to use them in the future.

Check out

Divetank Dive Shop: Store Home <- Dive shop in Vancouver, Canada... sales into the states
Buy scuba gear, scuba diving and snorkeling equipment, and everything underwater from LeisurePro.com
Scuba Equipment Discount | Snorkel Equpiment & Gear | Scuba Gear | Diving Equipment | Buy Scuba Diving Equipment - Gear | at JoeDiverAmerica!

My equipment.

Computer-> Sunnto Vytec & Favor
Regs -> Scubapro Mk25 S600 + R190 octo
Gauges-> Suunto
BCD-> Scubapro Knighthawk
Fins-> Beuchat X-Jets
Boots-> Scubapro
Mask-> Trivision, unknow brand.
Wet suit-> Bare 2mm & Beuchat 5mm steamer

 

[Zak OHara]

My gear recommendation for your trip

Mask. <- Mares are crap.

Wow, that is a pretty bold statement. Not because I work for Mares, but because it is plain not true. We innovate, design, and manufacture some of the best scuba / snorkelling products including masks. This we take much pride in. I think to blatantly say Mares masks are crap, especially with out an explanation why and which model, is a little vague. We have many models and styles that I'm sure some would say are awesome, and perhaps some might say didn't fit well, or leaked, etc.. Did you try all of Mares masks? You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but lets be fair. If you have or had an issue with our gear and would like to privately discuss it please feel free to drop me a PM.

Sincerely,

 

[bgrindberg]

First of all thanks evreyone for your answers!

@codman: I will be renting most my gear, however, I want to use the vacation also to try out some gear and also buy it, if i like it. Hence my original question was aiming at the general selection and prices on Utila. If anyone could elaborate a bit more on that I would appreciate this.

As regards buying on the net: I do buy stuff on the net (I am not that old) , but I also value customer service in a local shop, whether it is a dive shop or something else. I don't like the concept of getting advice from a shop and the buying cheaply on the net.

Having said this, I am not going to pay an outrageous tourist/island premium just to buy on Utila. Well, I guess you get the idea.

@phil ellis Thanks for the offer, but shipping to Europe would a) be very expensive and b) take quite a while.

@hopefulist Same idea, just buy the basic stuff, maybe some more for a long term vacation next year. Who knows? Is the selection better on Roatan then?

@cudabeit Took the availabilty of rental gear for granted when going on a fun dive package. But I will doublecheck that with some dive shops.

@jamesbond... Thanks for your opinion. Having lived on Utila whats your opinion to the aforemnetioned questions prices / selection.

@zak ohara I will give your stuff a serious consideration. Okay?

 

[James Bond boat entry]

You can purchase gear at Utila Dive Center, drop them a line and find out what they have to offer and the prices... Roatan has a dive shop in the West End that sells Mares, the Bay Islands are now duty free so the prices should be reasonable...

I had 2 divemaster trainees purchased Mares masks this past summer and they fell apart after being used just a few times (skirt detached from frame), the design of the mask frame was poor, The exact model doesn't come to mind, however, the model is irrelevant as nothing should fall apart quickly, poor quality assurance?

I had a Mares BCD 2 years ago, Mares Vetor Origin, this thing fell apart after after 100 dives (seems leaked and the inflator had to be replaced), also, I have a colleague who purchased a Mares Dragon about 1 year ago, something in the weight pocket locking mechanism failed and we could not get the pocket out of the BCD or get around the plastic covering which is too complicated;If you purchase a BCD with intergated weight pocket, make sure the locking mechanism is very simple.

I suspect with anything manufactured, apply the KISS theory, Keep It, Simple Stupid. Mares does have a good name, but my experience has shown me otherwise.

 

[CODMAN]

I've got 2 Mares masks, and no falling appart here! Same thing for BC, regs, etc... 0 problems!

Things can break. And they can sometimes be faulty out of the box, even with any brand. That's why there is a warranty on it, and Mares USA does a top notch job on the customer service. James, you seem to have witnessed some bad experiences with the gear. Did you/ your students try to get it warrantied by the dive shop? Anyways...

Bgrin: I agree with you about encouraging local shops... In my case, I saved about 95% of the price (was about half price) by ordering online from Canada, and that was including shipping fees. Places like Scubatoys just can't be beat. It was too big of a difference for me to look the other way!

Cheers!