Eric's post about minimalist diving sort of morphed into a cheap gear discussion but I thought I'd make a new thread asking people what "cheap" gear they've found and would recommend as decent start-up kits for us newbs. Below is the list I came up with based upon Eric's. Some of this wouldn't be necessary for warm-water diving and certainly wouldn't be enough for cold water diving, but it's a good all-purpose "getting started" list.
I don't want this to be an argument on new versus used or some BS "isn't your life worth it" marketing hype saying cheap is bad. We can save those discussions for elsewhere, if possible.
Tell us what you've found as far as good deals and prices on NEW gear. You can assume rental tanks, if that helps.
HOG D1 reg 1st&2nd $180.00 (DiveRightInScuba.com)
HOG D1 second (octo) $109.95
Mask/snorkel/fins $40.00 (US Divers "snorkel package" at Walmart--full foot fins, though- some that don't like that)
NeoSport 5mm wetsuit $120.00 (wetsuitwearhouse.com)
Rubber weightbelt with 18# of weights $75.00
Neosport 7mm Booties $40.00 (wetsuitwearhouse.com)
Hyperflex 5mm Gloves $30.00 (wetsuitwearhouse.com)
Console $150.00 (Tusa 3 gauge console at leisurepro.com)
Zeagle Express Tech BCD: $269.99 (prime scuba, $279@ amazon.com)
Total........................................$1014.94
I don't want this to be an argument on new versus used or some BS "isn't your life worth it" marketing hype saying cheap is bad. We can save those discussions for elsewhere, if possible.
Tell us what you've found as far as good deals and prices on NEW gear. You can assume rental tanks, if that helps.
HOG D1 reg 1st&2nd $180.00 (DiveRightInScuba.com)
HOG D1 second (octo) $109.95
Mask/snorkel/fins $40.00 (US Divers "snorkel package" at Walmart--full foot fins, though- some that don't like that)
NeoSport 5mm wetsuit $120.00 (wetsuitwearhouse.com)
Rubber weightbelt with 18# of weights $75.00
Neosport 7mm Booties $40.00 (wetsuitwearhouse.com)
Hyperflex 5mm Gloves $30.00 (wetsuitwearhouse.com)
Console $150.00 (Tusa 3 gauge console at leisurepro.com)
Zeagle Express Tech BCD: $269.99 (prime scuba, $279@ amazon.com)
Total........................................$1014.94