Good Dive shops near Toronto

[boney]

Any recommendations on where to go to buy/service dive equipment in Toronto or around the GTA??? :confused:

[diverlady]

You might want to do a search on the web to find them all.

Waterline Sports is on Avenue Rd, TO but I have found them to be expensive.
Innerspace Scuba is in Pickering. I haven't bought anything there but I know those who do go there and I haven't heard anything negative.
Scuba2000 (Leslie/hwy7) - I've been in there but never purchased anything. They seem to have plenty of business though.
There is at least one store in Brampton and a few in the Niagara region.

I go to Divesource in Whitby. They seem to have the best prices from what I've found and what I've heard. (www.divesource.com)

Diverlady

[maximdim]

I've heard they good too - but work hours is very limited. I've been there twice - both times they were closed!
First time it was week day - they close at 5pm I believe, and second time I was passing by on 401 and decided to drop by - closed again (Saturday @ 5:30pm!)
Most other stores I know open at least till 8 during summer.

[deep_ocean]

I think Scuba 2000 (Leslie + HWY 7) have best prices. Until recently they've even had free air fills (!). They're definitely very knowledgable and helpful. I only checked the prices for wetsuits recently, but I've found theirs were the lowest.

It's also a feel you get. Sometimes a shop just will feel (or not) right :)



Good luck

safe diving.

deep_ocean

[diverlady]

Divesource is closed Sunday and Monday.
They are open later hours in the summer (now) until, I think, 9pm during the week. Saturday, 5pm I believe.

(Maximdim:

I just spoke with them about their hours last week and they said they were trying to adjust them to better meet customers' needs so your message has made it to those who make the decisions. I hear on that. I've often had to go Saturdays since I could never get there earlier than 6:30pm in the evenings.)

If you are travelling any distance to see them, I always suggest calling ahead (they have an 800 number) to confirm hours of operations or e-mail them.


Diverlady

[diverlady]

Well there you go, boney.

deep_ocean says Scuba2000 has the best prices while I say Divesource does. Maybe you could get a bidding war going for your business!! ;)

Good luck!! :)

Diverlady

[boney]

Thanks all for your input!!!!!

Let the bidding wars begin!!!:D

[BigAlex]

I have been to a bunch of the shops in the Toronto area. A shop with a good selection of goods and good prices is called Aquaruis Scuba in the west end of the city. They do nitrox fills and just completed an expansion that doubles their size. They also have normal business hours are open Sundays and do nitrox fills.

For buying gear as of late I will still drive the 3 hours to Mallorytown though........

[crispos]

My vote is also with Aquarius, I used to work there but am not biased. Before you go, do some research so you know what you want, Internet etc, and go after 6pm so you can talk to the owners, Mark or John. Don't go on Thurs or Friday evenings as it's too busy to get much airtime. They are big dealer of Scubapro, Aqualung, Mares/Dacor regs and BCD's, and good deals on Ocean Run wetsuits, plus all accessories.

[pufferfish]

BigAlex once bubbled...
I have been to a bunch of the shops in the Toronto area. A shop with a good selection of goods and good prices is called Aquaruis Scuba in the west end of the city. They do nitrox fills and just completed an expansion that doubles their size. They also have normal business hours are open Sundays and do nitrox fills.

And they are the GTA's only accredited air station too :)

www.aquariusscuba.com

[DIZZY]

There really isn't a good shop in TO. You must drive to St.Catherines, Kingston or Mallorytown.
I don't think I'm in the minority of divers who think that either !

[pufferfish]

DIZZY once bubbled...
There really isn't a good shop in TO. You must drive to St.Catherines, Kingston or Mallorytown.
I don't think I'm in the minority of divers who think that either !

Trolling tonight are we. So what defines a "good" shop?

[vlada]

I live in downtown TO, but buy all my gear from two places - already discussed Dive Tech and Northern Tech Diver.

I also get some stuff at Dan's in St. Cathrines when time is an essence - i can make it there in under an hr

I also believe that the stores that are good for me will not be so good for other people, so someone asking for a LDS recommendation should always take it with a grain of salt

Back when i was diving single tank with a BC (not doubles with backplate/wing) i spent every weekend at Scuba2000 - talk all you want about Alec's self promotion on this board, but his customer service is outstanding and he does have a good selection on rec gear and you can try whatever you are buying in his pool to see how it fits - and return it with no questions asked.
They also have a DM or instructor leading the w/e dive at some local location - they were the once who introduced me to Great Lakes diving - and that's what the good LDS is supposed to be IMHO. Something much more than just then the place to buy you stuff

Time flies, however, and S2K does not have the toys i am after these days and both of Dive Teck and Northern Tech do. Northern Tech had a dive club as well, and i like diving with the like minded group of people - so those two are my "good shops" now.

Vlada

[Axeman]

Brampton Scuba has a new manager as of Aug 5th.

The 4 stores in the east are pretty good.

Mississauga Diving
Brampton Scuba
Aqua Systems
Oakville Divers

[Roncone]

Since Tam Dive closed, I have been on the hunt for a new dive shop.

I have found both Dive Source in Whitby and Aquarius Scuba to be excellent, insofar as prices and service.

Ron

[deep_ocean]

Axeman said:

"The 4 stores in the east are pretty good.

Mississauga Diving
Brampton Scuba
Aqua Systems
Oakville Divers"

East of what Axeman?


:D

deep_ocean

[bcda]

My selections are Scuba 2000 in Leslie/407 area, Dive Toronto Warden/Eglinton area. THey are both knowledgeable and the pricing is fair.
bhw

[Boogie711]

Three stores in Ontario I will go out of my way to visit - NTD in Kingston, Dive Tech in Mallorytown, and Dan's in St. Catharines.

Everything else better be close by or convenient, or I don't really care that much. I can only look at split fins and jacket BC's for so long.