Where can I find good deals on SCUBA gear and what should I be getting?
I just became SCUBA and Nitrox certified in the fall and am trying to find a way to get some of my own gear. Because I want to practice nautical archaeology for a career, I need to have all my own gear in order to volunteer at excavations, but being a college student, I can’t exactly afford top of the line.
Looking online, I’ve found a lot of “wetsuit packages” and that sort of thing that seem like they would be promising. But I’m not sure what IS a deal and what isn’t– or rather, what the typical prices for each piece of equipment should be.
I prefer a bladder BC like a backpack to the inflatable vests. If I have nothing but a mask, snorkel, fins, and booties, WHAT DO I NEED (not including air tanks) and what sorts of features should I be looking for on everything?
So you want a tech harness for a BC? You just bumped up your budget by at least 300 bucks over most BC’s. Then when you factor in pockets and integrated lead, another 200-300 bucks.
Sounds to me like you’re best off hitting some local dive shops, especially those that have in house dive clubs since as soon as someone mentions the word “deal”, that’s about the only place you’ll get one. They’ll usually have used gear on consignment, it will have been inspected by the shop and will be in good condition.
What do you need? Well, how much are you willing to spend and what are you willing to rent? Sorry, but this is up to you. I spent 3 grand right off the bat and was more or less fully equipped.
Tech rig BC ( which is what you asked about), about 800 bucks minimum. Going doubles? Add 125-175 bucks for a back plate. Manifold? 300 bucks. Regs? 400-1500 bucks.
Wet suit? 700 bucks cold water. Dry suit? You’re starting at 1000 bucks to 2 grand. Booties, gloves and hood? Another 150 bucks. Dive knife? 80-150 bucks. Dive computer ( pretty well a must have these days and you’re nitrox) 300 bucks-2 grand. Ideally you’ll want a 3 gas model but a 2 gas will do. Wreck reel? 60 -200 bucks.
See where I’m going here? I have no clue as to your actual budget. Prices vary widely depending on manufacturer and even where you buy a particular piece.
Wetsuit packages? You don’t mention the temperature of water you plan on doing your diving in. About 200 bucks difference there usually between 5mm and 7mm fulls.
Your “best deal” is gear that fits you, does what you want it to do when you want it to do it and does it safely. I really can’t advise you on particular gear types or manufacturers unless I know a budget and what temps you’ll be diving.
Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak with Deluxe Package
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VTG 60S FESS PARKER INFLATABLE DANIEL BOONE CANOE NOS NEW IN PACKAGE UNUSED $15.00 |
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SEA EAGLE 14 FOOT INFLATABLE SAIL CATAMARAN PACKAGE INCL SEATS PADDLES BRAND NEW $3,310.15 |
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Sea Eagle 385ft 12.6ft Inflatable 2 Person Kayak Pro Package $1,654.56 |
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Sea Eagle SUP Inflatable Paddle Board LongBoard 11ft Start Up Package $1,438.56 |
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Sea Eagle 14 Foot Inflatable Sail Catamaran Package Including Seats Paddles $4,030.56 |
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GENNY LIGHT inflatable football New in Package ” L@@K “ $8.49 |
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The Simpsons~Bart~ Inflatable 50″ Bop Bag ~NEW IN PACKAGE~ Halsall $9.99 |
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Coors Light Beer Large Inflatable NFL Football Turkey … New in Package!! $9.95 |
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Corona Light Beer Inflatable Plastic Flip Flop … New in Package $7.95 |
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Budweiser Inflatable Football Helmet New In Package $12.99 |
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Bud Ice Inflatable Football Helmet New In Package $12.99 |
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Bud Light Inflatable Football Helmet New In Package $12.99 |
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NEW OLD MILWAUKEE LIGHT BEER BLOW UP, STILL IN THE PACKAGE, INFLATABLE $3.99 |
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NEW OLD MILWAUKEE BEER BLOW UP, STILL IN THE PACKAGE, INFLATABLE, VINTAGE $2.99 |
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1980′s Smurf Inflatable Punch Ball in original package Peyo $15.00 |
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Bath Pillow Terry Cloth Inflatable with Suction Cup – Blue – New In Package $0.99 |
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Bath Pillow Terry Cloth Inflatable with Suction Cup – Pink – New In Package $0.99 |
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Sea Eagle 370 Inflatable Kayak Package, Includes Paddles Seats and Pump $320.00 |
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Sea Eagle 370 Inflatable Kayak Package, Includes Paddles Seats and Pump $320.00 |
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NEW in Package-CYNTHIA ROWLEY Blue Terry Cloth “Comfy?” Inflatable Bath Pillow $8.99 |
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SEA EAGLE 14 FOOT INFLATABLE SAIL CATAMARAN PACKAGE INCL SEATS PADDLES BRAND NEW $3,310.15 |
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Bath Pillow Terry Cloth Inflatable with Suction Cup – Green – New In Package $0.99 |
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Carnival Cruise Line 22″ Long Inflatable Cruise Liner MINT in Package NRFP $15.99 |
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Swim Swimming Armbands Blue Inflatable Children’s Size New in Package $5.75 |
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Clearwater Swim Inflatable Children’s Armbands Yellow New in Package $5.75 |
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NEW Sea Eagle SE 330 Sport Deluxe Package Inflatable Boat 11′ 2″ Kayak $279.00 |
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NEW Sea Eagle SE 330 Sport PRO Package Inflatable Boat 11′ 2″ Kayak $299.00 |
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Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak with Deluxe Package $120.99 |
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THE WET SET SWIM RING ELEPHANT 24″ X 18″ INFLATABLE 1988 NEW IN PACKAGE $5.00 |
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THE WET SET SWIM RING HIPPO 24″ X 18″ INFLATABLE 1988 NEW IN PACKAGE $5.00 |
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THE WET SET SWIM RING PELICAN 24″ X 18″ INFLATABLE 1988 NEW IN PACKAGE $5.00 |
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SEA EAGLE 14 FOOT INFLATABLE SAIL CATAMARAN PACKAGE INCL SEATS PADDLES BRAND NEW $3,310.15 |
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NEW Sea Eagle SE 370 Sport DELUXE Package Inflatable Boat 12 6″ Kayak $329.00 |
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NEW Sea Eagle 380X Explorer DELUXE Package Inflatable Boat 12 6″ Kayak $899.00 |
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Sea Eagle LB11-ST SUP Inflatable Paddle Board LongBoard 11ft Start Up Package $964.99 |
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NEW Sea Eagle 380X Explorer PRO Package Inflatable Boat 12 6″ Kayak $1,049.00 |
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Vintage 15″ Strace Inflatable Toy Beach Ball 6 Panel New Old Stock In Package $9.99 |
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NEW Sea Eagle 420X Explorer Pro DELUXE Package Inflatable Boat 14′ Kayak $999.00 |
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NEW Sea Eagle 420X Explorer PRO Package Inflatable Boat 14′ Kayak $1,099.00 |
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Intex Easy Set 18-Foot by 48-Inch Round Pool Set $379.00 This Intex Easy-Set Pool is easy to assemble and includes a 1,500gph (5,678 L/hr.) filter pump, ladder, ground cloth, debris cover, deluxe maintenance kit and surface skimmer. Setup is easy-simply spread out the pool liner on level ground, inflate the top ring and fill with water. Pool setup and maintenance DVD is included. Ready for water in 30 minutes-no digging, sand or tools are needed. Drain … |
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15′ x 48 Easy Set Above Ground Swimming Pool $239.95 This Intex 15′ x 48″ Easy Set pool looks great in any backyard for hours of fun on a hot day. Simply inflate the top ring and the pool rises as you fill it. The included filter pump offers easy installation. It also comes with a ground cloth, a pool cover, a ladder, a maintenance kit, and a surface skimmer…. |
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Intex Easy Set 15-Foot-by-42-Inch Round Pool Set $189.95 A great deal! Complete with filter pump, ground cloth, pool cover, ladder, maintenance kit, surface skimmer, and video. Ready for water in 10 minutes! Select your location, inflate the top ring, and the Easy Set™ pool rises while you fill it with water. Super tough sidewalls are made with 2 outer layers of PVC laminated to an inner layer of polyester mesh for extra strength and durability. A… |
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