any divers here?

[Electric Amish]

Strictly muff for me...

 

[flot]

Mid $200 sounds about right to get certified. Also make sure you ask if that includes equipment rentals, the boat trips, etc, and if not - how much those will be.

You should buy your snorkling gear. That's a mask, fins (and booties), and a snorkle. Probably also weights, although the shop that does your certification may rent those as well.

It isn't worth buying anything OTHER than the snorkling gear until you're sure you're going to be diving. Lots of people get into it, spend $$$ on gear, and then never use it. I got certified when I was about 15 with my dad and we took our 4 cert dives and never went out again. Now 10 years later I just got recertified and have been diving probably once every other week on average.

You should go ahead and buy your mask/fins/snorkle at the shop that is doing your certification. They can help you pick out some good stuff, and to SOME extent you should support your local shops if you are happy with their service. Plus a lot of times they'll give you a break or a package price on the gear. Don't go crazy and spend too much money, just get stuff that fits you well that the shop has good things to say about.

If/when you end up diving for real, then you can look at buying online. Saving $30-60 on your initial $200 of gear isn't really worth doing if it means it might not fit or be exactly what you need, etc. But when you're looking at buying $1000 of scuba equipment, you can save $200-$400 online which makes a big difference. But by then you usually know what you want and what you're getting. I've heard good things about www.leisurepro.com, I just placed my first order there on friday so we'll see if it makes it here by my advanced scuba course this weekend.

 

[theNEOone]

well i just went to compare fins and found that the pair that i wanted cost $100 at the retail shop, and $54 at leisurepro. i have yet to compare other gear but i think i'll also pick up my goggles and snorkel online, maybe even the booties.




=|

 

[prvteye2003]

Originally posted by: flot
Mid $200 sounds about right to get certified. Also make sure you ask if that includes equipment rentals, the boat trips, etc, and if not - how much those will be.

You should buy your snorkling gear. That's a mask, fins (and booties), and a snorkle. Probably also weights, although the shop that does your certification may rent those as well.

It isn't worth buying anything OTHER than the snorkling gear until you're sure you're going to be diving. Lots of people get into it, spend $$$ on gear, and then never use it. I got certified when I was about 15 with my dad and we took our 4 cert dives and never went out again. Now 10 years later I just got recertified and have been diving probably once every other week on average.

You should go ahead and buy your mask/fins/snorkle at the shop that is doing your certification. They can help you pick out some good stuff, and to SOME extent you should support your local shops if you are happy with their service. Plus a lot of times they'll give you a break or a package price on the gear. Don't go crazy and spend too much money, just get stuff that fits you well that the shop has good things to say about.

If/when you end up diving for real, then you can look at buying online. Saving $30-60 on your initial $200 of gear isn't really worth doing if it means it might not fit or be exactly what you need, etc. But when you're looking at buying $1000 of scuba equipment, you can save $200-$400 online which makes a big difference. But by then you usually know what you want and what you're getting. I've heard good things about www.leisurepro.com, I just placed my first order there on friday so we'll see if it makes it here by my advanced scuba course this weekend.

Good luck with your advanced cert. I got mine 4 years ago. I've been wanting to get my instructor, just haven't had the time to do it.