Discount Scuba Diving Gear

Reputable website to buy Scuba gear from?

Hey everyone,

I'm in the midst of getting my Scuba certification now, and all I hear is that you should try to invest in your own gear as soon as possible. However, there are many sites that I've come across that GREATLY vary in price (many "discount" places, etc), for example one website will have dive computers prices at $700 starting, where another will have them for under $200. I'm assuming quality the main factor there, but I mean they all do the same job right?

If you guys could point out a couple good sites for me to start browsing and pricing gear I'd appreciate it!

Thanks

Just one thought for you to consider. Annual and regular gear service. Are you going to UPS your gear all the time?
Online sales for minor gear purchases can make sense, sure. Dive knives, hoods and gloves. dive computers with user replaceable batteries, and lights. Fins...sure if you have already tried that set and know it ( likely from a visit to a dive shop)...mask too...again...from a visit to the dive shop. Funny how that works.

Regs, BC, dry suit and even wet suit....not a good idea to buy online unless you like to pay shipping charges often. The money you'd save on the purchase usually goes up in smoke with the shipping back and forth for service ( if they even offer it) and sending things back that don't fit.
This stuff has to fit...it has to work and be free of defect. Online sales and you're rolling the dice on all that. In shop visit...you're not. You get to see if there's a missed stitch on a strap for example and you'll get first hand instruction on how to use a particular piece of gear.
For the record...I'll buy things online that make sense. Buying my dive gear online doesn't make sense. Besides..I get a 15% discount for being a regular customer at my local dive shop on any purchase, right off the bat and that's even on merchandise on sale. No online sales will ever offer that to me. I save money this way, I save myself aggravation and I save time.
Edit: As you see, Andrew and I agree on the LDS (local dive shop) versus online approach. This stuff supports your life. It HAS to be serviced regularly by the people that sold it and properly attained by yourself. Look at it this way. How much is your life worth? I'm not kidding...how much? Are you on sale? If I kill you today...do I get a discount on the regs that are factory seconds with "minor defects".? That's what you have to answer besides the fact that will your buddy dive with you if he knows you have second rate, potentially unsafe gear. He has to rely on you being safe just as you rely on him/her. It's their life too.
I don't dive with newly minted divers who figure they need to thrift on gear purchase and NEVER dive with folk that don't have their gear regularly serviced or have doubts about their gear period. I may need it to function too, besides the buddy not aborting over some silly gear issue that could have been avoided by spending an extra 10 bucks. Their saving 10 bucks may have ( and has) cost me 60 bucks on a charter and I'll no longer consider diving with them. I have things to offer experience wise, but not to those that waste my time and money. Their loss. That's also something to think about. The divers in your LDS likely think the same way.
Sermon done...sorry about that but you pay to play safely and it really is worth any extra cost that may or may not be incurred by just taking a stroll into a dive shop. You get to ask questions and have answers in real time...face to face.

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