New to Diving and need BC/Reg..

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mattiedread

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Location
Southampton, NY
My wife and I have logged less than 50 dives and have recently really started getting into it. We need some insight on BCs and Regulators as we are going diving on Feb 24th and it is time we bought some equipment (we have mask fins and snorkle, although my fins are body surfing fins).
Leisure Pro is a 20 minute comute from our house, and we also have a local dive shop. I haven't compared the prices, but from what I understand, Leisurepro is 10-20% cheaper on everything.

Any insight into Regulators and BC's would be great. I have a feeling we are both going to go with weight integrated BCs because belts are a bit of a hassle. As far as regs are concerned, I want a good one that will last. About a month ago I read a fair amount about regulators and people were recommending a handful. I don't want to go overboard on price and don't need 'state of the art', but, something easy to service, reliable, etc.

Would I be better off buying this stuff in Mexico? I know wetsuits are cheap down there.

Any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Matt
 
I admit it... I live 40 minutes from Leisure Pro and I have bought certain things from them.... the things that don't need annual servicing... cause Leisure Pro isn't usually a "dealer" so the stuff is Grey market as far as Warranties go. I'd buy my Regulator from a local dive shop and have it serviced there under warranty. As far as wetsuits, BCs, Bags, and other misc things... get them where you can cheapest.

You can also call big Manufacturers and see if Leisure Pro is an official dealer... that may help.

As far as BCs and Regs, I love Zeagle BCs.. they have this fit system that makes em fit like gloves.... Regulators are your life underwater... you go underwater to do two things... Breathe and Look around at stuff.... spend the $$$ on a good reg.

Wetsuits, you can get in Mexico, Leisure Pro... any where... try Beneath The Sea in March... they have stuff on sale too... http://www.beneaththesea.org

Good Luck
 
Since I had the chance to rub elbows and sit in on meetings with some pretty impressive people at DEMA, I do know the inside scoop on something that will blow the socks off the industry. There will be another brand new internet source for gear purchase that will cover dozens of product brands, and the absolute best prices and have full manufacturer warranty backing. The extent of this relationship will extend as far as being mentioned/recommended in the manufacturers warranty information!

Sorry peeps, I was asked specifically not to let the cat out of the bag on this one. I am excited about it though! What do you guys think? Too good to be true? I assure you it's for real!
 
I have access to some great prices on the internet from British internet dealers. For the sake of argument I was interested in a few different scubapro items. I called scubapro and asked if theses internet companies were infact authorised scubapro dealers.... scubapro said no they were most certainly not. However, and this is the grey area, the internet scuba sites selling scubapro gear were advertising the fact that they provide FULL scubapro warranties. So I asked scubapro a direct question. I asked scubapro if they would honour a warranty on goods purchased from the store(s) in question (who are NOT authorised scubapro dealers). Scubapro sent me an e-mail saying this:

"********(I will not mention the store name) Scuba are not an Authorised Scubapro Dealer. They have no direct contact with the manufacturer and the products sold by them may or may not be genuine Scubapro products. If a regulator is purchased from them it must be supplied with the original box and warranty card from Scubapro. Upon receipt of a valid warranty card, we can validate the warranty. If a warranty card is not supplied, the product may not be warranted".

In other words... it doesnt matter where you buy the products from as long as they come with a valid warranty card AND the goods are serviced at least once a year by an AUTHORISED scubapro dealer.

 
I'm waiting for that cat Mario. Finally mail order without the guilt!!!
 
I know I did a terrible thing by saying "OMG hey everyone look at that!... Oh wait, I can't show you yet... but it's the most beautiful thing next to Jessica Alba, but nope, only I can look at it, sorry!" but I promise in due time everyone will be ecstatic, Don will faint, crowds will go wild and carry me on their shoulders. King Neptune himself will present me with the golden key to his kingdom. Teenage mermaids will chase me, shreaking for a chance to touch my rapidly moving... ehem, fins... now where'd I put those pills?... :D
 
Buy from a reputable shop and buy good equiptment! I prefer Mares regulators and BC's. Not every one likes the same brand equiptment, you have to buy what fits you best and what makes you comfortable. My experience is that ill fitting dive gear makes for a miserable dive! My suggestion is, don't skimp on your BC, regulator's and mask.
Scuba Bob
 
new the board -- very cool and USEFUL web-site

mario -- you tease us with this blockbuster new development for purchasing scuba equipment....and then you say we have to wait....

My guess is that manufacturers will be establishing some sort of on-line scuba gear shopping mega-store. Buyers will be able to order online and pick up their purchase at a local dive shop (read -- high volume dealers of the brand in question) -- the buyer still gets the full length warranty and the value-added service and set-up from their local shop, all at an attractive discount. Again, this is purely speculation on my part...and if true, would likely result in a fair amount of consolidation among shops.

All that being said -- mario, can you give us a hint on timing? I'm about to drop a significant amount of money on a new reg/octo and a computer....

unfortunately, I would bet that since we've haven't heard any news leaks about this breakthrough development yet, it will probably be some time before it's put into place.
 

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