ZzzKing
Contributor
I'd stand by my Oceanic/Aeris and Zeagle recommendations. Good luck with the start up!!! Your a brave man.
What's your preference
- Thread starter The_DivePirate
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
I'd stand by my Oceanic/Aeris and Zeagle recommendations. Good luck with the start up!!! Your a brave man.
medic001918
Contributor
I didn't even know they made a soft plate. Seems to me that it would defeat the purpose of having one. It doesn't sound like it's for me. I prefer my stainless steel rigid plates.
Good luck with your venture into business.
Shane
"If you could not get a SeaQuest BC, which would you prefer?"
Your question starts with a faulty premise, so the responses you'll get will be of little value.
Further, you REALLY should avoid trying to aggregate the opinions of posters on SB as being representative of "what potential customers of a new LDS will buy" especially given the "L" part of LDS.
Your question starts with a faulty premise, so the responses you'll get will be of little value.
Further, you REALLY should avoid trying to aggregate the opinions of posters on SB as being representative of "what potential customers of a new LDS will buy" especially given the "L" part of LDS.
DiveMaven
Contributor
I'd carry Zeagle before Seaquest if I were an LDS owner.
It doesn't matter which one you carry, because the one that you carry will be "the best" right?
Unless you are going to tell your customers "We carry the full line of Sherwood BCDs because we couldn't get Seaquest" which is not a sales strategy I would recommend.
Gotta agree with RJP. Carrying any line will be a problem if your locals won't support it. In my neck of the woods a line like Mares is virtually unseen. Things like the HUB, what they did to Dacor, and the recognition of names like Aqualung, Sherwood, Scubapro, and Oceanic pretty much insure they won't go in this market along with others like Cressisub.
Also you need to look at what kind of initial order are you going to be required to get. You may be stuck with a large inventory you can't move. I know Sherwood and Oceanic don't require you to sell your first born to pay for the initial order. Also you need to look at what people are diving in your area. BPW is starting to make significant inroads into the recreational area with more and more shops/instructors even training ow students in them.
I plan on teaching BPW when possible and as for recommendations to students it's a no brainer. Unless you go with the blue H BPW's are usually less expensive, infinitely more adjustable, fully customizeable, and are fitted to the diver as opposed to a diver trying to fit into a non BPW bc. With this in mind if I was looking at a new line for a new shop I'd have to choose Oceanic with a side of the new Hollis line. Same company, same service and support, and the option of putting people into what they need and want as opposed to what you think they need and want. People are much more apt to buy if they think the decision is really all theirs with your expertise thrown in.
With the above you could carry a representation of rec and tech without getting too wrapped up in inventory. And since you're both on the left coast getting specials in would be no problem. Hell the one shop I DM through usually has 3-4 days shipping. And that's across the country. Since you've already decided on Oxycheq however, I'd still recommend the Oceanic. For service, support, and value they are hard to beat.
Also you need to look at what kind of initial order are you going to be required to get. You may be stuck with a large inventory you can't move. I know Sherwood and Oceanic don't require you to sell your first born to pay for the initial order. Also you need to look at what people are diving in your area. BPW is starting to make significant inroads into the recreational area with more and more shops/instructors even training ow students in them.
I plan on teaching BPW when possible and as for recommendations to students it's a no brainer. Unless you go with the blue H BPW's are usually less expensive, infinitely more adjustable, fully customizeable, and are fitted to the diver as opposed to a diver trying to fit into a non BPW bc. With this in mind if I was looking at a new line for a new shop I'd have to choose Oceanic with a side of the new Hollis line. Same company, same service and support, and the option of putting people into what they need and want as opposed to what you think they need and want. People are much more apt to buy if they think the decision is really all theirs with your expertise thrown in.
With the above you could carry a representation of rec and tech without getting too wrapped up in inventory. And since you're both on the left coast getting specials in would be no problem. Hell the one shop I DM through usually has 3-4 days shipping. And that's across the country. Since you've already decided on Oxycheq however, I'd still recommend the Oceanic. For service, support, and value they are hard to beat.
- Messages
- 2,025
- Reaction score
- 4
- # of dives
- I'm a Fish!
Well I always say theres a opinion for every ...
Years ago we stated out with a back plate, thats it. Then came the BC, "the horse collar". (thats what I trained in) Then power inflater's came along and boy did I think this is "neat". Then something you might be surprized at! It was called the "back bouyancy device", can you say "WING"? Aaawww yes! Then evolution took the next step, "a stab jacket". This was a full vest style that inflated around your chest area and under your arms. (such as the Scubapro Classic Vest). Then next inline was they did away with the upper part of the inflation, the whole upper part and came away with the BCD, like the Oceanic Probe. Then you know what happened next? They came out with this new type of BCD that revolutionized diving namely "TECH" diving!!! They call it a "WING". ... GO FIGURE
I'm I guess old school. I still like a BCD like the Probe when in the water with students because it gets you higher out of the water to watch those faces. I can't see the need for a wing. Are should I say, the hipe about telling new students to buy a wing out of the box. I hear you'll need it later. Well maybe they will, but then inline with that way of thinking, they then need to buy an OMS with a 100lbs of lift with dual steel 130's. And maybe 2 other bottles on swings ... Oh the heck with that ... they should just invest in the rebreather now.!!!!!!!!!!!
Guy's let's not forget ... diving is to be fun. If it's not fun anymore why do it? Bring back the horse collar! Just kidding ... well ...
Years ago we stated out with a back plate, thats it. Then came the BC, "the horse collar". (thats what I trained in) Then power inflater's came along and boy did I think this is "neat". Then something you might be surprized at! It was called the "back bouyancy device", can you say "WING"? Aaawww yes! Then evolution took the next step, "a stab jacket". This was a full vest style that inflated around your chest area and under your arms. (such as the Scubapro Classic Vest). Then next inline was they did away with the upper part of the inflation, the whole upper part and came away with the BCD, like the Oceanic Probe. Then you know what happened next? They came out with this new type of BCD that revolutionized diving namely "TECH" diving!!! They call it a "WING". ... GO FIGURE
I'm I guess old school. I still like a BCD like the Probe when in the water with students because it gets you higher out of the water to watch those faces. I can't see the need for a wing. Are should I say, the hipe about telling new students to buy a wing out of the box. I hear you'll need it later. Well maybe they will, but then inline with that way of thinking, they then need to buy an OMS with a 100lbs of lift with dual steel 130's. And maybe 2 other bottles on swings ... Oh the heck with that ... they should just invest in the rebreather now.!!!!!!!!!!!
Guy's let's not forget ... diving is to be fun. If it's not fun anymore why do it? Bring back the horse collar! Just kidding ... well ...
- Messages
- 2,025
- Reaction score
- 4
- # of dives
- I'm a Fish!
Focus on what you are good at. If you are mainly going to sell gear then you need a good selection and several brands mentioned in many previous posts. However, you plan on targeting new divers then the gear you pick will have lees of an impact on your bottom line. Lessons, service, and special orders will have to be your strong suit.
Find the gaps in products and services at the other shops in your area then fill them.
NorthWoodsDiver
Contributor
I wouldnt buy a bcd in any of those brands and otherwise I wouldnt want any other gear from them either except maybe zeagle. In fact I wouldnt ever buy seaquest either.
Similar threads
