Question Buy A Regulator in Australia to Save $$

[living4experiences]

I am contemplating buying a regulator, octo, hoses, and gauges, but the U.S. prices are insanely high and just continue to go up. I am outfitted with everything I need except a regulator. I've been renting for years but want to explore an out-of-the-U.S. purchase to save money. I'll be in Sydney, Australia, next month. For anyone living in Sydney, maybe you can answer this for me.
Are the gauges for sale configured in bars and meters or pounds and feet?
What brands are available over there? I'd need to be able to get maintenance service in the U.S.
Is the gear sold only for cold water diving? I'm strictly a warm water diver in tropical locations.

I'll post this in the equipment forum, too.

 

[Fibonacci]

OK I'm in Melbourne but the answers will be the same for Sydney..
1) Analogue gauges are in BAR and Metres, have been for decades... you won't find any imperial gauges for sale unless vintage second hand

Search: 65 results found for "pressure gauge"

Search: 65 results found for "pressure gauge" - Adreno - Ocean Outfitters

adreno.com.au

2) Most major US and EU brands are supported, there are a number of online stores that have sales esp at Easter

Yoke Style Regulators

adreno.com.au

As a US citizen you will be able to claim a 10% GST refund at the airport as you leave Australia.

Tourist Refund Scheme

Information on TRS and how to claim a refund.

www.sydneyairport.com.au

3) Gear is not specifically sold for cold water diving, the bigger stores like Adreno SCUBA have a full range from tropical shorties to 3mm steamers to drysuits.

ADRENO Ocean Outfitters | World's Largest Dive Store

Dive into the world's largest range of spearfishing, scuba diving, freediving and snorkelling gear. Shop online or instore across Australia for great deals on the best dive gear. We've got stores in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

adreno.com.au

 

[runsongas]

australia won't save you money. look at dgx or hog instead. or just get something shipped from europe.

Streamlined OW

There are much better ways to configure a SCUBA regulator for sport diving than the ubiquitous 'octopus' seen today. One of those better configurations are our Streamlined Open Water setups on this page. If you are unfamiliar with their benefits, please take a moment with our TekTip at the...

www.divegearexpress.com

 

[Pressurehead]

DM sent.

 

[stiebs]

Whatever would make you think that it's cheaper to buy gear here than in the US? It's often cheaper for me to buy from the US and get it sent over here!

 

[astr0b0y]

Depends what brand really. For Scuba Pro, much cheaper in Aus. You should also be able to get a sales tax refund (10%) when you leave.

 

[DiveDiversions]

I just recently went looking for a new Nauticam housing and had friends visiting the US, so thought I'd get them to buy it for me while over there, after looking at the prices with the exchange rate it turned out that I could buy it cheaper locally in AU then it would cost me in the US, the price difference was considerable and I hadn't even consider US sales tax at that point.

This was also the similar when I bought my first Shearwater Teric several years ago, when availability in AU was basically zero. I was visiting LA so I bought one there and it worked out to be no cheaper then what I would have paid in AU. If I had ordered from the US and had it shipped it would have shipping costs added so would have been dearer still!

The US seems to have become expensive (I assume it has something to do with when Trump was president he increase taxes on imports into the country and it has jacked up the prices on a lot of things manufactured outside the country.

And unlike Australia, the US does not allow you to claim sales tax back.

Oh, and don't forget, out exchange rate sucks, so for an US citizen to shop in AU they are getting better value for their dollar, and then we give 10% back.

 

[Pressurehead]

Whatever would make you think that it's cheaper to buy gear here than in the US?

The parts I have bought from the US cheaper over the years were motorcycle parts, Japanese and HD parts, I had an account for bike parts in Florida, one third the cost with postage [which was also quicker], did that for years, 7 Jap bikes and one HD. Off topic....But.

SCUBA gear I have bought very little from over there, and when I did, postage was cruel $$, never again....But.
I would fork-out for a Freedom Plate though. Hint.

 

[Dan]

Don't go cheap for life support gears, such as regulator. You want the best. Your life depends on it. Cry once, but you have peace of mind for the rest of your life. I have only ONE 1st stage regulator, Scubapro MK25 for 19 years, made to 1641 dives with it. I just send it out to my LDS for service once every two years.

 

[Seepferdchencam]

australia won't save you money. look at dgx or hog instead. or just get something shipped from europe.

Streamlined OW

There are much better ways to configure a SCUBA regulator for sport diving than the ubiquitous 'octopus' seen today. One of those better configurations are our Streamlined Open Water setups on this page. If you are unfamiliar with their benefits, please take a moment with our TekTip at the...

www.divegearexpress.com

You say that but we can buy Apeks, Mares and Dive Rite for cheaper than dgx sells them. After you claim the 10% TRS they're looking pretty darn cheap by comparison.