Scuba kit package vs piece by piece

[JT_McLovin]

Hello, I'm very new to diving and I really want to purchase a kit. I would like to stay around 1000 bucks or less. I am curious if you guys suggest buying locally vs buying online, or buying packages vs. Buying gear piece by piece.
I already know my size. I know they say you should buy gear according to your type of diving but what exactly do they mean by that? I mean I just want to get some dives in, get more experience and become more comfortable. I just need the basic beginner setup and if I enjoy it as much as I expect to, then I will invest in the bells and whistles.
What do y'all think about this particular package? https://www.amazon.com/Cressi-Scuba-Gear-Package-Medium/dp/B00B4HNUNC?tag=scubacompare-20&th=1&psc=1

 

[oldschoolto]

That kit will get you in the water... But, I'm big on buying used for 0.30 cents on the dollar.. Lots of gear to be had with only a few dives on it...

jim...

 

[Diver0001]

To keep the price down most kits will consist of either a decent BCD and an entry level regulator (as in this case) or visa versa. In this case the 1st stage of the regulator is good but they combined it with an entry-level second stage. Over time you may feel a need to upgrade the primary 2nd stage to something that breathes a little easier but that's question of personal preference. There's nothing wrong with the regulator as it is but if you paid a little bit more to get one of their better 2nd stages put on then you'd probably be happier with it on the long term.

The computer and BCD are suitable although I find the Leonardo a little hard navigate when you need to adjust settings. You'll need to study the users manual carefully.

I haven't seen that light before but my guess is that it's a 600 lumen LED light. For diving in turbid water it will be on the weak side but for clear water diving it should be fine. Either way it will make a decent backup light for the long term if you find you need something more powerful.

Don't forget that this isn't everything you need. You'll still need a mask, snorkel, fins, a suit, some weights and maybe a tank so if you're looking to come in under $1000 for everything that doesn't give you much of a budget for the rest of what you need. You can rent most things but I would advise you to buy your own mask since the mask is so important for your comfort.

As for buying locally or online, I would look at the price. It's going to be the same stuff no matter where you buy it so why pay more than you have to?

R..

 

[JT_McLovin]

Man you guys rock!

@oldschoolto I agree, but I've searched and I can't get anything decent at a decent price. Plus I have kinda talked myself out of used equipment because I'm afraid I don't have the knowledge to tell if it is in great condition and I don't wanna have

@Diver0001
excelent info. Do you have any recommendations for a better bundle? Could you possibly help me find a better kit at a decent price online bundle, or piece by piece? I hate to ask for someone to hold my hand bit sheesh, it is overwhelming, there are so many options and I have so much to learn
That is a valid point and I am well aware that I will need fins, weights, mask ect. I do already have a tank. But this paycheck I want to knock out the main, costly items.. I can spend a little more than 1000 on the main items, but that is my target.

Thanks again guys!

 

[guruboy]

I know they say you should buy gear according to your type of diving but what exactly do they mean by that? I mean I just want to get some dives in, get more experience and become more comfortable. I just need the basic beginner setup and if I enjoy it as much as I expect to, then I will invest in the bells and whistles.
What do y'all think about this particular package?

Just rent/borrow/try until you get an idea of what you want.

Try a high end reg (balanced adjustable Mk25+G260) then a low end reg (unbalanced Mk2+R195). See if you care about (or can even tell) the performance difference.

Try a jacket, a back-inflate, a BP/W. See which style you prefer.

Try a puck computer, a watch style computer, a full blown color display computer, a computer with air integration. See which features you care about.

Then spend as much as you need to (on good deals) for each of these items, in this order, that meet your requirements.

1) computer
2) reg
3) BCD

Don't worry about buying everything together. There is no benefit to that.

 

[rsingler]

I think the most important thing is finding out the brands that are serviced in your local area. Being able to bring a problem to a dealer who knows the gear is very important at the beginning.
Later on, you may find a shop you'll be willing to mail to for service you can trust, but until then, buy a brand that's serviced locally.
Cressi has very up to date gear, performance-wise. They breathe great! But their approach to service has in several cases been with designs that don't require many specialized tools but have odd plastic interlocks. If Cressi is favored locally, that's fine! But beware the technician who is not familiar with it. They can break little plastic second stage parts unexpectedly, with the new models.

 

[wolframheart]

Whatever brand you decide to go with, make sure you can get it serviced where you are. Some brands are harder than others to find service for (where I live, good luck servicing Poseidon or Cressi, for example). Service is an important component that is easy to ignore when you purchase. Aqualung, Oceanic, and ScubaPro have all been serviced everywhere I've lived/dove, but there are definitely other brands you'd have no problem getting serviced. Just call your local dive shop and check before you make a purchase. You don't want a surprise bill that cost half the price of your regulator to get it serviced in a year.

Man you guys rock!

@oldschoolto I agree, but I've searched and I can't get anything decent at a decent price. Plus I have kinda talked myself out of used equipment because I'm afraid I don't have the knowledge to tell if it is in great condition and I don't wanna have

Thanks again guys!

I'd look at used fins and weights for sure. I scored some amazing Mares fins for $30 used. There isn't much worry on buying used equipment that doesn't need to be serviced.

Some companies will let you "build your own" package and knock the price down. I bought my gear in a package and saved about $500 that way. My gear isn't "top end," but it's definitely "intermediate," which works for my dive goals. I subbed in last season's BCD model to knock the price down an extra $200 (especially because I actually preferred everything about the older model). I care most about my regulator and first stage. A BCD from any reputable dive brand has done fine for me, but regulators all breathe very differently (I dive an Aqualung Pearl). When the equipment hanging out of my mouth determines how I'm breathing (and in turn, my stress level, breathing rate, and over-all comfort), I'll spend more to get something better. I dive with the Aqualung Core Supreme, and it breathes really nicely for me in cold water. Also pay attention to DIN vs. Yoke for your first stage... it could matter for your dive goals, but will matter to what kind of tank you rent.

 

[Marie13]

SCUBA gear Swap & Shop Public Group | Facebook

If you're on FB, there's a scuba gear swap & shop group. Lots of deals.

You can still look for a wetsuit, fins, light used, even if you buy the rest new. Other things like a gear bag or weights are also good to get used without worry.

 

[Diver0001]

Well JT I'm not sure what to advise you. You like the idea of a package because then it's done and dusted with one transaction. That certainly is appealing but the downside is that a package will always have some compromises.

If it were me, personally, I wouldn't go about it like that. To be perfectly honest I think buying certain items second hand is actually a good idea. The problem you have is that you might not be able to distinguish old junk from decent gear. The 2nd hand option is particularly attractive for buying a BCD because there is a buyer's market for 2nd hand BCD's and you should be able to get one in good condition for around $100 if you have the patience and an eye for what's good.

I don't live in your area but to draw a comparison, with $1000 to work with and just using the leisurepro site as a guide for money then I would spend about $400-450 on a good regulator. For that price you have various options, like upgrading the Cressi regulator you were looking at to an Ellipse or an alternative like a Mares Abyss or an Aqualung Titan which are both very good regulators.

I would spend $150 on a Mares puck. For recreational diving it does everything you need and it's easy to use. I would buy this new because I don't think you'll get one for much less 2nd hand and buying new gives you a warranty.

I see the light as a nice-to-have for the moment unless you are diving deep, at night or in poor visibility. I would look for a light 2nd hand if you have the time. There have also been some decent Chinese lights on the market lately (actually the phantom might be one) for good prices. Don't spend a lot on a light at first but get one that makes enough light that it's actually useful.

That would leave you with $250 to find a BCD. For this I would look first at 2nd hand BCD's and failing that then look at a basic BCD that has weight integration.

What I did there was to flip the priorities and spend relatively more money on the regulator and relatively less on the BCD. This is because the regulator will be with you for a long time if you take care of it so buying a good regulator now means you won't be thinking about upgrading it any time soon. Those would be my priorities but obviously opinions will differ.

R..

 

[wolframheart]

I did a quick search and found:

https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Lung-Co...766825&sr=1-2&keywords=aqualung+scuba+package

This is pretty typical, durable rental gear. You may have even dove this when you got certified. The Titan breathes nice, but it isn't environmentally sealed for cold water, so depending where you dive that might be relevant.

Aqua Lung Elemental Scuba Gear Package

This is about as basic as you can get. I really like Aqualung, especially for a quality beginner kit. The BCD isn't weight integrated, and I think the Calypso is the most basic regulator from Aqualung, but it's still a brand that is pretty easy to get serviced.

Mares Open Water Package #1

Another pretty decent entry level package. I've seen this at dive shops. Mares is hit or miss with service.

Mares Journey Elite Scuba Gear Package

If your LDS services Mares, I'd ask around about these products. I've never dove them so I can't speak to their quality or their ease of use.

Used Aqua Lung Axiom i3 Package: BCD, Core Scuba Regulator and Octo, with i300 3 Gauge Console

This seems like a good package if you don't mind used.