Cheap scuba diving equipment

[freak1988]

How to find cheap diving equipment. I am new to scuba an it is expensive for me to buy all at a time. Any recommendation to get cheap diving equipment?

[DiveDevil1966]

Cheap Diving equipment??!!?? I am not sure I would call it that. Diving equipment should not be chosen on its price, but on its performance and for the use of your diving. There is some online shops which sell diving equipment to very good prices. The downside of this is that you cannot try the equipment and have to rely on a bit of luck to have the equipmen fit well. There might also issues with warranty. The best thing to do is to visit a dive shop and try the equipment. Normally you dont have to buy everything at the same time. Stage your purchases and get the equipment step by step. This way you can choose the right equipment for you with the proper professional advice.

Have fun and always safe diving!!

Dive Devil

[freak1988]

Yes, Dive Devil you are right. Cheap equipment is not really what I wanted to say. Thanks for your advice. Of course I will not buy something cheap and have my life depending on it. Good value or not too expensive would be more appropriate. In fact I am looking for advice in order to get a full set of scuba equipment (safe one) at a low price. I dive regularly and if I don't have to rent gear every time I will save lots of money. For this reason I'd like to have as fast as possible all equipment pieces. Now I have only a mask, snorkel and fins. I prefer to by new gear than second hand.

[Mako]

Yes Freak if you are clever when you buy equipment you can save lots of money. As DiveDevil says cheap equipment is not the right word. But you can avoid making mistakes in your choice and spend too much money on some equipments that are not necessary to begin or avoid buying things 2 times. For example if you dive in cold water you will buy 2 first stages but you can start with one. This means, instead of buying a middle price because the one you dream of is too expensive now that you have to buy another thing, buy the "cheap" one now. For example a robust one not compensate like the one most used for rental in diving center. Those regulators are very reliable and cheap in maintenance. This reg will stay long with you and not cost much in maintenance. The fact that it is not compensated will not disturb you in your 100 first dives, you will not dive deep anyway. And later when you have more experience and saved again some money you can go for your dear reg. And you will be happy that you did not buy it before when you had less experience to choose. At this time you will really use the money for the right thing you need for your kind of diving you like.
Ok, this is just a small example how you can save money buying your gear.
But if you tell us a little more about where you dive and what kind of diving you do we will be able to give more advice. I did not see much about you on your profile...

[freak1988]

Thanks a lot guys,
I am from the UK, water is cold and visibility sometimes poor.
I plan to dive all year round in the UK and for my holidays I hope to dive as much as possible in the Red Sea and tropical countries. I really want to have my own full equipment ASAP.

[Mako]

Now I see...
My advice is: save as I wrote on the regulator and on the computer. You will be diving in shallow water anyway for your first dive and some practices of your dive table will be good for you ;-)
Use the wheel for more bottom time using multilevel. Choose a good 7mm semi dry wet suit it's also much cheaper than a dry suit and in the first season they are quite warm. I think this is the way to go cheap for you. Until next summer save for you favorite computer and until winter 09-10 for your dry suit.
I hope this helps.

[jafo]

Check your dive shop. Once in a while they sell off there used rental gear for some good prices. The shop I go through will service it and stand behind it when they sell it to you.

[ethanjames]

Thanks for ur advice mr.devil..i am new to this forum...but i know diving... you were given useful advice to freak.. i accept your thoughts....

[DiveDevil1966]

Glad, being able to help. Keep us posted, where the exciting diving adventures are taking you.

All the best and always safe diving

DiveDevil

[sacscubainstr]

When I first started diving after the military, I found a shop that was selling all of the rental gear. I had rented it to test out. I was able to get everything from them for under $1000.00 US. I still use the equipment today.

It has become my backup gear, but it has been maintained. One thing I would recommend is taking an "equipment" class, to learn how to maintain your gear. I understand about the initial purchase - and some great things have been said on here.

Take care and the cost of ownership will bring down the overall purchase. My gear is going on year 11... not bad.

Hope this helps