Where's The Best Place To Get Equipment for Beginners?

[shotthebreeze]

Hey guys,

There's a million places where you can get scuba gear now a days. In my recent searches (to order a new mask, snorkel and fins before my OW course) I've found that Leisure Pro has the best selection for the best prices, especially for beginners. Where do you guys reccomend someone new to diving should get their gear?

 

[Diver Dennis]

http://www.scubatoys.com/

Not only great prices but great advice as well.

 

[mikeyjoe]

I bought all my big stuff (everything but what is noted below) @ scuba.com. Good prices, authorized retailer, can phone them and actually talk to someone (helpful, too). Great service.

I did, however, get my fins, hood, gloves and drysuit at my LDS. Have to support them somewhat to keep them in business.......Who's going to teach you if they are not around.....

Michael

 

[shotthebreeze]

Yeah Mikey,

I have to agree with you. Supporting your LDS is huge...especially in Connecticut where I'm from. They don't get many rednecks who want to get wet.

 

[RJP]

Take price, selection, and customer service out of the question for a moment, the shop where you are training is probably the best place for a beginner to buy their gear from.

All things considered equal...

- they will know more about you and your diving objectives
- they will be able to train you on/with what you buy
- they will have a better idea on what gear to kit you up with for local diving
- they will most likely service what they sell, therefore "what you own"

Lastly, if there's any sort of problem or issue with the gear it's often best to be able to stand across the counter from the person that sold it to you and say "make it right."

 

[DiveMaven]

You MUST try on masks before you buy, so unless you know the perfect fitting mask already, don't buy on-line. I feel that fins are very personal too and should be tried before buying. How will you know what type fits best, is most comfortable, most efficient for your style of kicking, and feels the most natural in the water??

Go down to your local dive shop and try all the masks on before buying, then ask to try different types and styles of fins in the pool before buying.

Snorkels you can get anywhere...just buy a super simple one, that's all you need.

 

[Saltair]

The importance of trying on a mask before you buy it cannot be overstated. Buy the basics at a place you can actually walk into. After that shop around. About anyplace somebody mentions on here will probably be ok. Scubatoys seems to be one of the better though.

 

[scubacoots3]

www.divesports.com

Great place, great gear, great prices
awesome return policy
you actually talk to a professional not just a floor sales person.

 

[CenTexDivin]

As a beginning diver, just go to the LDS and talk to the staff about your gear. You may pay a little more than what you would online, but you'll be able to try stuff out, and make sure it fits, plus you'll get to ask them questions and learn. You'll have to learn this stuff somewhere, and paying a little retailer markup is cheaper than buying the wrong pieces or parts. There are so many different manufacturers and models, that the equipment you use will depend upon the type of diving you do.

Buying diving gear is just like buying equipment for other hobbies. You can get tons of general information off the internet, but for information specific to your goals or situation, you need someone with the experience and willingness to hold your hand through the learning phase, which will cost a little money, but probably save you more in the long run.

 

[mred]

For important stuff, I buy from my LDS. He has been spot with all his recommendations, and I prefer to actually see what I am buying. Little things I pick up while I travel as kind of a momemento ie: fish ID chart, etc.