Hi mate,
This is a perspective of a Melbourne diver.
If you join a dive shop club and build a relationship with them you will get a much better deal on gear.
Buying gear online from the US can cause problems with parts and warranty.
There is a Facebook group called used scuba diving gear in Australia worth looking at.
Gear type and brands are a personal choice. There are pros and cons for all and most shops will try to sell you what the have on the floor rather than what you need. Which is hard for a new diver to work out.
This is what I would recommend.
First get mask, boots and fins and go dive for a while. Hire gear until winter comes unless you find exceptional deals. I know it is a pain at times to get hire gear and it is not cheap but I will save you money long term as rush in a getting the rest of the gear leads to selling it on eBay for a quarter of purchase cost.
Unless you intend to boat dive don't buy a computer get a waterproof watch for starters.
Wet suits are about fit and warmth in Melbourne some can getaway with 3mm whilst others are in drysuit.
So you need to work out your needs before buying one.
Regs purchase is the next big thing. It depends on what you want sort of diving you want to do and what support you can get when there is a problem. Mid range common brand will give most people the flexibility they need.
Bcd's are the next thing to get and there are zealots that will tell you that there choice is best but may not be what you need. So before you go down the path of a type think about where you want to go with diving in the future.
I will try and work out how to pm you my number, a mate and I will be diving on Saturday morning you are welcome to join us.
Paul
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
This is a perspective of a Melbourne diver.
If you join a dive shop club and build a relationship with them you will get a much better deal on gear.
Buying gear online from the US can cause problems with parts and warranty.
There is a Facebook group called used scuba diving gear in Australia worth looking at.
Gear type and brands are a personal choice. There are pros and cons for all and most shops will try to sell you what the have on the floor rather than what you need. Which is hard for a new diver to work out.
This is what I would recommend.
First get mask, boots and fins and go dive for a while. Hire gear until winter comes unless you find exceptional deals. I know it is a pain at times to get hire gear and it is not cheap but I will save you money long term as rush in a getting the rest of the gear leads to selling it on eBay for a quarter of purchase cost.
Unless you intend to boat dive don't buy a computer get a waterproof watch for starters.
Wet suits are about fit and warmth in Melbourne some can getaway with 3mm whilst others are in drysuit.
So you need to work out your needs before buying one.
Regs purchase is the next big thing. It depends on what you want sort of diving you want to do and what support you can get when there is a problem. Mid range common brand will give most people the flexibility they need.
Bcd's are the next thing to get and there are zealots that will tell you that there choice is best but may not be what you need. So before you go down the path of a type think about where you want to go with diving in the future.
I will try and work out how to pm you my number, a mate and I will be diving on Saturday morning you are welcome to join us.
Paul
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk