I have been helping out at my LDS and it seems that whenever someone who is new to diving comes in, they have to have all of the best equipement and "coolest" accessories. It just makes no sense to me why some instructors and LDS owners try to convince their charges that the more expensive an item is the better. Aren't we teaching the wrong message? It just doesn't seem responisible as most of these people will only be diving once a year or less. I know what many will say; That it is how a LDS makes money, and that there are many people who do "strenous diving" that need the best equipement. I myself have been useing the same equipement since I started diving, and have over 500 dives on it, and I do not feel the need for anything else(and my gear is far from the most expensive) I guess I feel we should let new divers get their perverbial feet wet before we throw them in the deep end, equipement wise.
Why buy the best gear?
- Thread starter chindiver
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BrianS
Contributor
The "best" is a relative term. Your idea of best may not be the same as mine.
And sometimes it's better to spend a little extra money first than to spend a lot more money later.
And sometimes it's better to spend a little extra money first than to spend a lot more money later.
For the most part it seems like you took your question full circle and answered it.
Living in Maine where shops and inventories are limited I found gear shopping to be a challenge. Manufacturers sites offer scant detail, same with brochures and with black as a dominant color even photos show little detail. If you came here and ask or read as a lurker what to buy you'll be convinced you need a scubapro or apeks regulator, a BP&W, a HyperStretch wetsuit and $200. split fins. As I read the details, learned the divers activities and followed up on bits and pieces I was able to come to terms with what I wanted. It took a lot of work to move from someone elses suggestion to my decison. Most people are not equipment nerd engineers and would never consider investing the hours I spent learning the meaning and signifigance of balanced, unbalanced, over balanced, piston, diaphram, predive switch, DIN, yoke and those are just some regulator details. Think back to when you started. Even if your instructor did spend some good time on gear details did you go home fluent in the jargon?
The fact is that for Joe or Jane diver any brand name equipment that fits right will suit them fine as long as it meets the basic criteria like OK for cold water etc. A heftier investment may work a tad nicer, may stay with them if they grow into more demading diving and may offer advantages in the form of warranty and bragging rights.
In a sport with a 95% drop-out rate I think the shops know they usually only have one good shot. If the buyer does not take the time to really understand the details then they are at the mercy of a salesman who will sell hopefully to the mutual best interests of the divers safety and the shops bottom line.
Pete
Living in Maine where shops and inventories are limited I found gear shopping to be a challenge. Manufacturers sites offer scant detail, same with brochures and with black as a dominant color even photos show little detail. If you came here and ask or read as a lurker what to buy you'll be convinced you need a scubapro or apeks regulator, a BP&W, a HyperStretch wetsuit and $200. split fins. As I read the details, learned the divers activities and followed up on bits and pieces I was able to come to terms with what I wanted. It took a lot of work to move from someone elses suggestion to my decison. Most people are not equipment nerd engineers and would never consider investing the hours I spent learning the meaning and signifigance of balanced, unbalanced, over balanced, piston, diaphram, predive switch, DIN, yoke and those are just some regulator details. Think back to when you started. Even if your instructor did spend some good time on gear details did you go home fluent in the jargon?
The fact is that for Joe or Jane diver any brand name equipment that fits right will suit them fine as long as it meets the basic criteria like OK for cold water etc. A heftier investment may work a tad nicer, may stay with them if they grow into more demading diving and may offer advantages in the form of warranty and bragging rights.
In a sport with a 95% drop-out rate I think the shops know they usually only have one good shot. If the buyer does not take the time to really understand the details then they are at the mercy of a salesman who will sell hopefully to the mutual best interests of the divers safety and the shops bottom line.
Pete
Brand0n
Contributor
well i just got into diving i never went for the best gear i got good gear but used gear, i payed 600$ for TANK, BCD, full octopus with all gauges and regulators, farmer john wetsuit and jacket thing :s , hood , dive nife, weight belt and gloves. i had to buy mask snorkal fins boots. so for 900$ i had EVERYTHING and im very happy with my gear 
I was told that, with some care my gear would last many years, maybe a lifetime of diving if I purchased good quality gear to start with, and to avoid getting "entry level" stuff, only to end up up-grading later. I didn't get the most expensive stuff ( how about a SP Mk18/G250HP for $269 or an Oceanic console with VEO 200 computer for $255) just good quality that will last. I think it was/is good advice
DB
DB
Don Burke
Contributor
The most expensive thing I do is try to save money.
I rarely buy the best. I usually go for something considerably better than I expect to need.
I rarely buy the best. I usually go for something considerably better than I expect to need.
Lets face it. There are just some people who just want to own the best that they can afford. Of anything. The best dive gear, mp3 player, car etc
I didn't mean that you should not buy decent gear. It is just that I am bothered when you get someone in the store who tells you that they are going to dive on their yearly vacation, and they were convinced to buy a pair of bio fins, a mares abyss regulator(true story) and they complain that scuba is so expensive. I just feel that it alienates a few people. And I also do not think it is an ethical buisness decision. And please buy the best you can afford, but I do fine on a Zeagle Envoy with a 15 year old dacor reg as a octo, and a Seaquest Latitude. I guess I should have put this in the gripes section.
scubaguy655
Contributor
I think that people who are purchasing scuba gear (or anything else for that matter) have a responsibility to do research so that they understand the differences in what they are interested in purchasing. By the same token, the LDS should show a potential customer a variety of options and explain the pros and cons of inexpensive/mid price range/expensive gear in a manner that can be understood by all.
I have seen situations as you describe and I don't do business there. I have also seen situations where the LDS is actually trying to *help* you make the right decision rather than trying to sell the most expensive gear. I do business with a LDS who operates in this manner as they are concerned with their customer as well as the bottom line.
I have seen situations as you describe and I don't do business there. I have also seen situations where the LDS is actually trying to *help* you make the right decision rather than trying to sell the most expensive gear. I do business with a LDS who operates in this manner as they are concerned with their customer as well as the bottom line.
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