I'm 99.9% committed to finally getting my open water when I get back from Israel in March. I'm planning on buying all my own gear (possibly w/out the tanks). My question is what can I expect to pay for good, descent equipment (not looking for top of the line but definitely not the cheapies either). I'm guessing and budgeting in the neighborhood of $2k. Any input, suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Dive gear question
- Thread starter hackman72
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you can get a good setup for $2k and you will find everyone has an opinion on what to buy. Most of the time people will buy a set of gear when they get certified and swear by it because that is what they bought, use and know so to them it is the greatest gear in the world. You can't go wrong with regulators from Atomic (my preference) Scua Pro, Aqua Lung or Oceanic, BC alot depends on how much diving your going to do, Fins my suggestion is go a dive shop that has a pool such as Seaventures or Dive Shop V and try out a couple of pair actually the same can be said for BC's. Have fun getting certified you will be glad you did
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its a blast.
I had actually planned on seaventures as the place to do my dive cert. and I noticed they had packages put together; buy the package, get the course for free. May have to go down there one weekend in the coming weeks and see what mess I can get into...lol.
I did it about 15 years ago in HI and have been talking to a friend about going to Chankanaab Cozumel (good for beginers I hear). I have a former Marine buddy that lives a jet ski ride away from the Great Barrier Reef and he told to just show up and we'll dive...I hope he was serious 'cause if not, he's gonna get a big surprise spring of next year...lol.
Hackman....I may be able to help you there. I'm a distributor for IST equipment. When I was diving....that's what I had. They aren't as recognized as others because they don't advertise. I can get the stuff at wholesale and give you a great deal. If you want to meet up sometime soon, we can go through the catalog and see what you want. I can get it all!
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I've just started to get lessons to get certified and at the place were I go they do package deals on stuff. THere's one with everything you'll ever need (all equipment ecept tanks) including lessons and a dive computor for a little under $4,000 The same pack without the computor is around $3,000-$3,200. People who have dove longer than me may know were to get a better deal though.
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No, it's not nessisary it just makes it ALOT easier so you don't have to use charts. You'll probobly learn this in your diving classes.
If you do multiple dives/day (3 or more) a computer is pretty much a must and most dive boats won't let you out w/ them unless you have one (on a 3 tank dive day)...I love mine, but know your charts-b/c you never know when your batteries may die or your computer--it's good to have a solid back up plan....you can spend a fortune on a dive computer or just a few hundred bucks....my advice (now after I've bought all new and paid the retail markup) would be to know the brandds and keep an eye on CL....you can find stuff that is practically brand new on there for less than 1/2....it might be a little hard since you're a NooB, but def. worth a spin--also diversdirect.com usually has some good deals on there-keep an eye out-
I would also recommend doing a complete course of training as opposed to the resort-weekend type certification...seems like you get and retain more info. over a few weeks' courses instead of a weekend crash course-
I would also recommend doing a complete course of training as opposed to the resort-weekend type certification...seems like you get and retain more info. over a few weeks' courses instead of a weekend crash course-
Where is this and please don't do it they are ripping you off you can get a good dive computer for $300 and a good set of gear for under $2500
I hope this isn't dive shop v because if it is they are back to their old tricks of inflating prices by as much as 100% when you combine with lessons
PADI will make you learn the tables even if you have a dive computer. As mentioned before...they're good to know as just a back up or for advance planning. Dive computers do fail and it always seems to be when you're at 80 feet down!
Personally....I wouldn't buy from somebody off of eBay or from Craigslist for the simple reason that you don't know how well they've taken care of the equipment or if they've had the annual services done on the regulators. I'm not willing to put my life in their hands....are you? BCD's on the other hand are a different story. As long as they can show you that they operate properly....it's generaly not an issue HOWEVER.....there are also care concerns here as well. Did they fill the darn thing with water and never drain it or has a bladder been repaired, etc. While you can save a ton of cash buying used....I nor any advanced divers I know of, would recommend it unless you know that person and how they've cared for their equipment. JMO.
Personally....I wouldn't buy from somebody off of eBay or from Craigslist for the simple reason that you don't know how well they've taken care of the equipment or if they've had the annual services done on the regulators. I'm not willing to put my life in their hands....are you? BCD's on the other hand are a different story. As long as they can show you that they operate properly....it's generaly not an issue HOWEVER.....there are also care concerns here as well. Did they fill the darn thing with water and never drain it or has a bladder been repaired, etc. While you can save a ton of cash buying used....I nor any advanced divers I know of, would recommend it unless you know that person and how they've cared for their equipment. JMO.
The online courses are a good way to go if you have the descipline to stick with it, as for the weekend courses that is a misnomer because you actually spend a week or 2 watching the dvd and home study before you to the store for your weekend classes and pool sessions. the reason PADI and others followed behind with the home study is it allows the instructor to spend more time working on water skills which what is going to save your life in an emergency. you will find Wyatt over a Seaventures has a good group of instructors and that he runs a tight ship you are in very good hands over there 'JUST DO IT"
buy a computer you will use it and as for tables I can tell you from years of teaching there are very few students I could call on 6 months after being certified that could tell me how to use their tables and I was and am a stickler on how to use tables and in the end I always suggested buying a backup computer or citizens dive watch
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when i did my course all there was is PADI. now theres several. i dont know that it makes a difference. do shop around for prices. kirsten and i found that there a huge difference in pricing and not so much in what you get for the money.
@porpoise- I'm definitley going all new for just that reason. As for the BCD, I was told you're better to try it on and wear it around a bit before you buy it to feel for comfort. Kinda feeling it out to see if the way it fits will get on yor nerves in a short amount of time...keeping in mind also that it will be different underwater than in a diveshop.
@wmboots- I assume the PADI on line is the same as they'll teach @ seaventures. I might give thm a call and seewhere we're at as far as doing the online in conjuction with the dive course itself.
@wmboots- I assume the PADI on line is the same as they'll teach @ seaventures. I might give thm a call and seewhere we're at as far as doing the online in conjuction with the dive course itself.
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