New Kit - Where's the BEST place?

[gibbo]

i was just wondering if anybody could help me i have just recently completed my rescue course but i want to start buying ALL my own kit i already have the basics and a BCD but what i would like to know is where is the best place to get-
-Dry suit
-SMB (which one are they all the same?)
-Reels
-Tourch etc all the kit!!
what i wanted to know is where the best/cheapest place to buy kit on the internet???

[Woz]

Well there are 2 thoughts on this:
SHops that do lots of business on the Internet (Go Dive, SDS, Kent Diving, Cannock Scuba) are cut-throat businesses who want to sell loads at minimum margins but some of their after sales can be iffy.

I have had nothing but good experiences from Divers Warehouse in Bradford. I'm sure someone nearer to you could point you in the direction of a good LDS round you.

[Zdu]

The LDS I'd recommend in Bristol is Dive Monkeys

Professional, friendly and free monkey nuts.

[daz]

Originally Posted by Zdu

The LDS I'd recommend in Bristol is Dive Monkeys

Professional, friendly and free monkey nuts.

Seconded. (They also have Oscar )

The guys who run it (Martin and Richard) are really friendly, helpful and very non pushy.

Although they don't stock the largest range of drysuits, they do stock one of the best makes IMHO (O Three). I wouldn't risk buying a drysuit off the internet anyway, if the fit is wrong then it can start getting expensive posting stuff back.

They also stock Ralftech products and Ralftech SMB's are very nicely put together.

Daz

[chrisch]

Buy the drysuit from you LDS as you need to try it on.

Before you go find the cost of a reel, torch and dsmb/smb on the net and see if the LDS matches the whole package.

Don't forget to factor in postage.

Reel - Dive Rite or similar (Custom Divers @ Kent Diving £47.00)
DSMB - Buddy SMBC (or SMBCi if you are rich) £25 @ Kent
Torch - too many to say - do you want a small one or a lantern type? What sort of diving etc? Again look what's in your LDS.

Most dive shops will do a good discount if you buy lots....

Chris

[ahar]

I would also recommend going to a good local dive shop - that way you can see how all the stuff that you buy fits together. If you're getting a dry suit you'll also need an undersuit and there is no substitute to trying the two on together to make sure that they both fit. The same goes for any other bits and pieces that you get. If you buy it all together you'll be able to negotiate a good price, and it's worth a little bit more for the service you get.

The dive show can be good, but it gets really really busy and it's difficult to get the attention you need for some purchases

[Helen F H]

Denney Diving - wouldnt go anywhere else for anything big. 01642 486666

http://www.divingdirectshop.co.uk/acatalog/

[Conor]

If you must buy now then Kent or Divers warehouse for everythings you don't need to try on.....but if you can wait a couple of months go to LIDS and find a friendly YD face to go shopping/haggling with you.

[Fathoms Down]

Originally Posted by gibbo

what i wanted to know is where the best/cheapest place to buy kit on the internet???

I'd be very careful about buying some items from an Internet reseller especially ones which rely on a good fit such as drysuits, undersuits, BCDs, hoods, gloves, etc. The fit of these items is very important so it would be well worth visiting your local dive centre to try them on before you buy them and properly fitting kit is well worth paying slightly more for.

[gibbo]

Originally Posted by Conor

but if you can wait a couple of months go to LIDS and find a friendly YD face to go shopping/haggling with you.

saying that i have a adults ticket (LONDON) can use either saturday or sunday its up to u £5