Where do people in Oz get their dive gear?

[CODiver78]

Hello All - as a recent arrival in Australia from the US, I am loving the beer, people and scenery (can’t wait for my GBR trip in October!) The one thing that I don't like about Australia is how expensive things are!

As I am sure you are aware, scuba gear is almost double what it costs in the US... which is why I ordered most of my gear from overseas and had it shipped here... even with shipping, customs/duties, it was almost 40% less than buying it all in Australia (sorry!)

As another practical example, there were a couple of things that were not as smart for me to buy and ship from overseas... namely a cylinder and weights. Now, my LDS quoted me $699/for a 12L steel cylinder and $11/kg for weights... and at the risk of sounding like I am cheap... those prices seem to be a little steep, particular the lead (I mean, the spot rate on lead is about $1.90/kg... I looked!)

So where do people here go to have their scuba needs fulfilled? Online? LDS? eBay?

Also, can anyone recommend a good place in Victoria where I can weights and a cylinder for a reasonable price?

 

[digital_steve]

www.divetub.com.au for gear, thank me later
DiveImports.com (Powered by CubeCart) for cylinders, free shipping in australia. they have steel cylinders, you just have to email them and ask

 

[digital_steve]

349 for a 12 litre faber cylinder from dive imports
hard to beat that

 

[mig_diver]

AT my LDS unfortunately. And yes I too am upset at how expensive everything is

 

[Sas]

349 for a 12 litre faber cylinder from dive imports
hard to beat that

Awesome! Want to get a 12L tank soon as my 10L is not enough for the types of dives I have been doing lately. I couldn't find it on their webpage though so cheers steve.

How come it is so expensive in AU? Is it because not many people import or what? Just wondering if anybody knew.

 

[CODiver78]

Thanks for the great advice! Dive imports gave me a great price on a 15L... so I may go that route as I tend to suck down the air like it's free!

As far as the prices, I would imagine it is a matter of supply and demand. The US is a much bigger market and online shopping is also a major part of consumer culture. Those factors tend to make it a buyers market as competition drives the price down.

Even with the competition among LDSs, online shopping is the way to go if you want the absolute best price. Scuba Toys gave me an amazing deal... and it was fast... order was placed on a Tuesday and it was delivered on the following Monday.

 

[almitywife]

as its been said here already:

chris at www.divetub.com.au (zeagle gear). i have bought many many items from Chris and very happy with his product and service

you will need to email dive imports for their special Fabre prices - something to do with distributor agreements and they cant advertise their price online and they can have it shipped from WA to your door for less than your local dive shop

BUT - my hint is to scope out a local dive shop and ask them to throw in 20 free fills if you buy a tank from them. overall you wont save any money (comparing it to a DiveImports tank and paying for fills) but it might mean something with the dive shop down the track.

ive heard good things about Scuba Doctor in melbourne

DO NOT BUY A TANK from overseas - it will not have the correct stamps/markings on it so you wont get it hyrdro'd

cheers

 

[digital_steve]

don't buy a 15L
i did and they're horrible and trim out like crap
stick with a standrd 12.2L faber

almitywife - i bet i've bought more from chriso!!

 

[Sas]

As far as the prices, I would imagine it is a matter of supply and demand. The US is a much bigger market and online shopping is also a major part of consumer culture. Those factors tend to make it a buyers market as competition drives the price down.

I agree somewhat. But there is such a huge difference in prices, you'd expect more variation in price between stores in Australia. If they bought at the same cost as other retailers in the US and then applied the usual markup, I would have thought stuff would be cheaper. Or at least you'd get some stores heavily undercutting others but I haven't seen that much variation between stores. I was just wondering if there was some kind of pricing restrictions imposed, or few importers. Or something like that. There may not be, but was curious.

BUT - my hint is to scope out a local dive shop and ask them to throw in 20 free fills if you buy a tank from them. overall you wont save any money (comparing it to a DiveImports tank and paying for fills) but it might mean something with the dive shop down the track.

That is a good point and part of the reason why I bought from my LDS even tho I could have gotten some stuff a bit cheaper online or at another store (they are about mid range it seems, pricewise). You get extra stuff like that for free, and lots of advice, etc. Like with my BC I didn't like the inflator bit (wasn't broken or anything, just didn't like it) so they are swapping it for free. Also they gave me and my buddy a private Deep course for the same price as a normal class. Just things like that make things easier if you go to an LDS rather than online. But to each their own

 

[almitywife]

don't buy a 15L
i did and they're horrible and trim out like crap stick with a standrd 12.2L faber

i have a an old sea hornet supersteel 15ltr that i use when hubby is diving his rebreather. maybe because its a supersteel but ive found it very easy to dive with - but these are very rare tanks these days

and i will agree with a 12ltr - i have about 8 of those

almitywife - i bet i've bought more from chriso!!

but i bet he likes me more

fact is Chris does a fantastic job for the aussie zeagle market - a guy that actually loves his product. ive only seen that sort of passion on one other person down here (tony davis from diverite)