Certification Prices

[Geobound]

Since I am currently going through this I can tell you exactly what I paid........in Canadian dollars.

PADI e-Learning, 2 pool days, 4 open water checkout dives and the other essentials to learn was $300.00.

The equipment that I'm pretty sure I am going to purchase is (Scubapro) Knighthawk BC, MK17 EVO / G260, R195, & 3 gauge console for $1900.00. I'm undecided on the computer, so lets say another $500.00 to be on the safe side.

My fins, snorkel and mask and boots was another $300.00, and I will add in an Aluminum 80 tank for another $220.00.

Oh I forgot the wetsuit which is about another $500.00 (may be up or down a bit as I haven't decided which one to get yet).

So that's a total of what....$4000.00 roughly? I'm sure there are a few other bits and bobs that I will add into the mix (SMB & reel, flags etc), but that's just small dollars in comparison to everything else.

Did I get a good deal? I guess it all depends on your perspective.

Maybe a different kit would / could save me some money, or cost me more. I knew this wasn't going to be a cheap hobby, so the staying up all night worrying about what I'm going to spend hasn't really come into play.

You can die holding all your pennies wishing you had of spent more, or die broke knowing you made the most out of the one life you have to live.

I know I'm going to spend it. LOL......

Good luck and safe diving.

John

 

[runsongas]

or spend half that and take a trip somewhere nice

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

or spend half that and take a trip somewhere nice

if you are planning to dive locally in cold water, an open water course somewhere tropical is going to set you up for a rude awakening when you return.

 

[runsongas]

if you are planning to dive locally in cold water, an open water course somewhere tropical is going to set you up for a rude awakening when you return.

what does that have to do with spending less on gear to take a trip?

 

[Lorenzoid]

I find it interesting how many divers are buying gear along with their cert class. Has this always been common? I have long been under the impression that most divers get certified and then rent gear for a while, maybe accumulating gear an item or two at a time. At least that's how I did it. Mask and fins for class, then rented everything else for the first few trips, then a wetsuit, then a BC and computer ....

Of course, almost everyone ends up owning all their gear. I know of one couple who buck the trend and rent BCs, regs and even wetsuits everywhere they go, and they have been diving for a decade or more, taking some fancy trips all over the world. They say the rental gear is usually great quality and well maintained. They don't like the idea of having to devote storage space in their house to a lot of dive gear or pay for servicing regulators and such. That's a little extreme for me, but I have to give them credit for doing what works for them.

 

[Addicted2H2O]

I find it interesting how many divers are buying gear along with their cert class. Has this always been common? I have long been under the impression that most divers get certified and then rent gear for a while, maybe accumulating gear an item or two at a time. At least that's how I did it. Mask and fins for class, then rented everything else for the first few trips, then a wetsuit, then a BC and computer ....

This is how I did it, too. Starting with my reg and FFM. But my OW dive buddy bought all of his gear ($3200) for the OW class. But he was also starting school @ Texas A&M Galveston for Marine Biology.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I like the idea of new divers buying full sets of top-quality gear because a lot of that will be served up to the rest of us on eBay or Craigslist in a few years. (If someone already made that joke, I missed it.)

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

what does that have to do with spending less on gear to take a trip?

You're right. Brain fart on my part. Had a different discussion that influenced my interpretation.

In my defense, my report cards often had "does not follow directions well"

But that is only for one trip. Some equipment is a pain to transport. Mask, regs, and dive computers are not on that list. Those costs do add up. If diving is a bucket list item only, then I agree, but since the OP is asking this question here as opposed to FB, my guess is that the OP will dive long term (hoping that is the case).

 

[Geobound]

I find it interesting how many divers are buying gear along with their cert class. Has this always been common? I have long been under the impression that most divers get certified and then rent gear for a while, maybe accumulating gear an item or two at a time. At least that's how I did it. Mask and fins for class, then rented everything else for the first few trips, then a wetsuit, then a BC and computer ....

I'm buying my stuff up front for three reasons really......

1) I'm always a "jump in with both feet kind of guy", even if it costs me more in the long run, I'm still okay with it.

2) I don't like the idea of swapping spit and other bodily fluids with strangers....(well unless she's cute LOL), so renting regs and wetsuits just doesn't appeal to me.

3) The closest dive centre to me is almost two hours away, and where I want to dive is in the complete opposite direction. So four hours of driving to rent stuff will be more costly in time, gas, & energy than it will be to just buy my own. Getting my tanks filled will result in the same travel time, but I can get that done in the city when I'm there once a week so I' good with that.

Where things do become a problem is buying stuff that you aren't sure you are going to like, or want to keep.........then yes E-Bay is the place for me. Hahahaha........

 

[Barnaby'sDad]

I find it interesting how many divers are buying gear along with their cert class. Has this always been common? I have long been under the impression that most divers get certified and then rent gear for a while, maybe accumulating gear an item or two at a time. At least that's how I did it. Mask and fins for class, then rented everything else for the first few trips, then a wetsuit, then a BC and computer ....

Of course, almost everyone ends up owning all their gear. I know of one couple who buck the trend and rent BCs, regs and even wetsuits everywhere they go, and they have been diving for a decade or more, taking some fancy trips all over the world. They say the rental gear is usually great quality and well maintained. They don't like the idea of having to devote storage space in their house to a lot of dive gear or pay for servicing regulators and such. That's a little extreme for me, but I have to give them credit for doing what works for them.

I totally get why people do it, but I doubt very much that it's the norm. Most people aren't going to be willing to drop $1,200+ on equipment for a new hobby without trying it out in the wild (outside of a training environment) a few times.

I'm a bit of a germaphobe and I don't have a convenient dive shop to visit (two of the big reasons that people are going to go all out early on), but I'm not going to drop that kind of coin on a new hobby without trying it out a few times first.

I don't want to rush out and buy everything and find that I'm not happy with it. I've learned that lesson with other hobbies (ex. I have a brand new set of irons in the garage that I'm not happy with).

That and there are just too many options for each piece of equipment. I'm happy at the moment just buying one piece here and there and (hopefully) picking stuff that I'll be happy with. After a few dives, I think I'll go spend a few bucks on a nice setup.