Equipment for a College Student on a budget

[BCDgirl]

Many people would disagree with this, for many different reasons. Specifically, I know several dive shops that don't want to deal with anything you bought on the net, because you didn't buy it from them. Another reason--I'm pretty good at inspecting my own equipment and would rather do that myself instead of trust someone else to deal with my own life support equipment.

Normally i would agree with you but i only have a very very basic knowledge of inspecting scuba equipment

 

[merxlin]

You need to get an RDB.......




*Rich diving boyfriend

 

[BCDgirl]

look for packages. Or, ask your LDS for a reg, bc, etc package.

Do you have any suggestions for brands that you like?

 

[AstroDad]

I suspect more would agree. Please note that I did not recommend buying anything off the net - I think that's a bad idea and topic for a completely different thread.

If the reader feels qualified to tear down a regulator and inspect it, then by all means do it. However, I presume someone "just starting out" doesn't have this knowledge and is asking for a whole bucket load of trouble if they try to service their own gear. Yes, there may be a LDS that doesn't want to service gear you didn't buy from them - that's a good sign that you should move on to another LDS for your current, and future, needs.

Many people would disagree with this, for many different reasons. Specifically, I know several dive shops that don't want to deal with anything you bought on the net, because you didn't buy it from them. Another reason--I'm pretty good at inspecting my own equipment and would rather do that myself instead of trust someone else to deal with my own life support equipment.

 

[BCDgirl]

Many folks have great success with eBay purchases. I've never purchased any scuba gear that way though and I doubt I ever will. If I were trying to build a scuba outfit on a budget, I'd look in the classified section of your local paper first. Failing that, try a Saturday morning run of the yard sales - a friend of mine is always dragging back all kinds of stuff (and sometimes junk). You might also check to see if there are any local dive clubs in your area - sometimes they have a "for sale" section....

Whatever you buy used, please, ALWAYS have your LDS inspect it before you put your life on the line with it.

Believe me i would definitely have everything checked, i am way to much of a worry wart to take that kind of chance.

 

[FastAttack]

BCDgirl

if you are going to be around the sport for a while, I would just use the club's gear while using theirs
save up some money and get yourself nicer and long lasting equipment vs a budget setup.

thats my own opinion though.

LDS/Internet eh I can go both ways, although I am lucky enough that my LDS is an online discount dive shop as well.. so I have the opportunity of both worlds ( although you pay taxes )

As far your university having a club, thats great!
in my situation MB ( admin here) is our advisor for the club lol

I bought my equipment though and spent the extra buck to get equipment with nice warranties and service programs.. ( won't be needing any replacement gear anytime soon , unless I decide to do tech diving lol)

 

[FastAttack]

Just noticed you go to UM

<--- FAU dive club so not that far from you

maybe we should get our clubs to meet each other and have a massive club dive

 

[SteveAD]

buy it nice or buy it twice. if you have club gear available don't even think about buying your own "on a budget" figure out what you really want, buy it when you can, and use club gear in the mean time.

 

[LavaSurfer]

I know several dive shops that don't want to deal with anything you bought on the net, because you didn't buy it from them.

Tell them is was a hand me down from a brother, uncle, friend or whatever.
LDS's are more inclined to help then

Learned from experience

Also I built a relationship with them by stopping in a lot and buying little silly things like weights, lights or t-shirts

buy it nice or buy it twice.

AMEN!
Learned that the hard way

 

[utdivermatt]

Im going through the exact same situation as you, and think I took a pretty good route.

I couldnt afford everything new last year when I finally deicded I wanted to buy my own gear. I got my basic stuff used (BCD, Reg, Comp), for a great deal from a dive shop clearing out their old rental gear. The equipment was in great shape at the time, and still is.

Then I bought more stuff that I wanted new. This included my wetsuit, weight harness, lights, etc.

Finally I am going back and replacing my rec gear (which is still in great condition for rec diving) with gear to take me into tech diving. I bought a bp/w over the summer, and am about to get a brand new Dive Rite reg set from selling my BC and reg (Luckily I have a dad who wants to buy my gear for exactly what I paid for it).

Granted I did buy some things twice, and people will tell you thats a bad thing. The way I see it I am out nothing at this point though, and have gotten almost all the gear I need to begin my start into tech diving (Yes, I realize there are still several more purchases, but I got a start)