US Divers Impulse?

[mattiedread]

OK, I've read through many postings on this site regarding new equipment (and thanks everyone for being so patient with us newbies). I've visitted Liesure Pro's retail store, and my local dive shop (Hoboken). Leisure Pro doesn't list several of the things that my dive shop is recommending, specifically the US Diver's Impulse (or the equivalent Sea Quest). They will rig me up (and my wife) with BC, Reg, console w/depth and pressure gauges Octopus.. basically 'the whole rig' for $950/person... a little more w/weight integrated BCs... add a couple of hundred if wife goes with the Womens Pro unlimmited (basically the leather seat, cruise control model)

I definately would like to go weight integrated because I jump in with 10 or 12 lbs, and, as that comes down, they can be used for storage.

I told my local dive shop (where I got trained, and I brought my instructor a T-shirt from Thailand where I got certified, and will probably be booking a trip or two through them) that a couple of hundred dollars one way or another isn't going to make or break me. I'm tempted to go with the package (they'll throw in a knife and flashlight and things like that.. take care of me)

Is this a fair deal, say $1000 for the whole rig (w/octopus etc.) a Sea Quest BC (Quick Draw or ProQ). I really don't know enough to add up everything at Liesure Pro and see what I'm saving (I may not be aware that I need to purchase a 'ring-rang' to attach to the 'castoben' to prevent the 'slabonary' effects at depth).

Anyway, I'm leaning towards investing in good equipment, at my local dive shop because I think I will have it a long time, and I think my local dealer will be reasonable to deal with in the future. That crazy old man Mario makes some good arguments for doing so.

One other thing. In Asia, it seemed like all the instructors and divemasters used Mares everything. I see it around, but I don't hear sales people pitching it, why? My instructor in Thailand swore that his Mares second stage was the best on the market.

 

[turnerjd]

Mares is an Italian company. As with all imported things it depends on the importers, and how they push the brand.

In the UK, the importers only bring in the top of the range Mares bits, and they have established a good high end of the market reputation, (and they charge exhorbitant prices to boot). It is similar in Asia I would expect, there will be a good local importer, who understands the local conditions, and imports the correct stuff for the market. Couple that with it being good kit, and you will get a good market presence.

Very much the same as Apeks (UK company) did with Zeagle (US company). Apeks make good regs, Zeagle didn't make any. Zeagle had a v good reputation for their BCD's. They teamed up, Zeagle imported and re-badged the APEKS regs. Apeks gets access to the lucrative US market, via the dealer network of Zeagle, Zeagle gets their hands on the Apeks reg technology.

Now they have split, Zeagle are introducing their own regs, and a lot of the Zeagle dealers are continuing to stock the Apeks now under the genuine Apeks brand.

All comes down to how well you can market the product, and that you can get the product placed correctly in the market.

A good example of how not to do it was the UK importer of Seac Sub kit. This kit is found all over Europe, but not in the UK. The previous importer imported only the cheeper end of their lines, and these were more suitable for warm water diving that the harsh conditions found in the UK. Now, after a few years of going nowhere there is a new seac sub distributor / importer in the UK. I'll wait and see what happens, but from what I have seen, they have started bringing in some of the better lines, and should have more success.

Marketing, marketing, marketing. Thats what it comes down to. (and having the product to back it up as well.)

Why Mares has very little presence in the American market I don't know, but the kit I have come across of theirs isn't bad at all. IMHO it is a bit overpriced (top of the range 1st stage + 1 second stage = £825 = $1320) compared to Apeks or Scubapro. - At prices like that anybody want to start importing them to the US?

Good on you for going to the local shop - I had been going to the local shop for a couple of years before leaving the UK, and when they got to know ne they gave me some really good deals. Also there is the minor point that IF they dissapear where do I get my air from before I go away for a days diving?

Jon T

 

[Mario S Caner]

When I was running a large dive retialer here in Southern California we offered several packages that saved the customer quite a few bucks. Since SeaQuest has a minimum retail pricing policy, (meaning you can't sell for less than their 'suggested' pricing) so we mixed and matched equipment to be able to offer the customer a discount. This was amazingly effective in generating money for the store and smiles for the customers.

One of the packages we had was a choice of SeaQuest B.C., a choice between the SeaQuest Spectrum XR2 or the US Divers Micra Adj regs, and an Oceanic or Suunto Air Integrated computer and some extras for around $1100. The only stipulation of course was that you couldn't choose all SeaQuest products... The rest of the gear a customer would need was offered at 10% off with the exception of cylinders. We had less expensive packages but the above was the most popular and saved the customer around $350 to begin with. Dive shops make the bulk of their money by selling gear, therefore they are very motivated to make deals...

On a side note, I have used and still use both of those regulators, still have a couple of different SeaQuest B.C.'s and a few different computers including Suunto and Oceanic models. You won't go wrong when you invest in top notch gear!

 

[turnerjd]

Very much agree with Mario here.

It is better to have one person spend £/$ 1000 at a reduced markup than £/$ 500 at full markup. Divers always come back for more kit.

The last club I was in had an agreement with our local shop, when we had a bunch of people interested in kit they went along, and the more that was bought, the bigger the discount.

2 months ago, mebe less, the latest bunch that had finished their open water course went shopping, 7 people for 7 drysuits. Most people got a good 30-35% off the price. Kit going out of the door is good. Kit staying on the shelves is bad.

Not that many small dive businesses will take £2450 ($3920) for less than 30 mins work, especially when a couple of our DM's went along to help people choose suits, and get them fitted properly.

Jon T

 

[mattiedread]

So, Mario, you believe the Impulse is top notch? And SeaQuest BCs also? I'm tempted to go that route. I'm not sure about a computer at this point, I don't have the time to do the research, and I'm not sure if I want to wrist or console. I noticed in Thailand almost everyone had wrist computers... any thoughts... what is your personal preference? I don't really have the dive experience to make these judgements, and a computer is something you kinda need to dive with, I think. It is a difficult thing to speculate about... kinda like a mail order bride...

 

[turnerjd]

Originally posted by mattiedread
a computer is something you kinda need to dive with, I think.

We had this debate a while ago, go to Dive computers & OW thread and read all the different thoughts on getting a computer immediately. Some people are very Pro, whilst others are for getting a few (40 - 50) dives done, so you have the tables down to perfection, and you have an idea as to what is sensible.

Just .02

Jon T

 

[mattiedread]

I would like to get the dive wheel down, as I have made an error or two. But, that doesn't necessarily preclude diving with a computer... I could do both (I would be doing both as my wife isn't buying a computer right away, so we would be doing the wheel together) The other thing is that neither of us ever wear a watch.

My real questions concern wrist or console, and how conservative would I like the computer to be. I'm young enough that I believe I would prefer liberal over conservative, but, I'm a smoker... I'd like to do some research and then ask Dr. Deco a few well thought out questions.

 

[Mario S Caner]

mattiedread,
You definitely won't be disappointed with either one. Any of the US Divers/Seaquest regulators that use the SEA/Cousteau style first stage breath very nicely. I beleive your choices would be Micra ADJ, Cousteau, Glacia or the XR2 depending on what type of second stage you prefer. As far as the SeaQuest B.C.'s are concerned, I've been to the manufacturing plant here in Southern California and they use the best technology, materials, and labor to get the job done. That combination works for me!

 

[mattiedread]

And, Tom Lee, my dive instructor and local dive shop salesman thanks you too. I think I'm also gonna spring the couple of hundred extra for wife's super comfortable BC.