Good Online shops?

[Andrew]

Hi there,

I'm just in the process of starting a diving course (PADI open water), any chance you guys can list some url's for shops that are reliable and have a good layout so i can take a look and decide what to buy.

I just got my fins, mask and snorkel, and will be looking to get some more gear in the next month or 2(when i hopefully pass the course)

And has any one seen any good packages for bcd's/regs any where.

ta in advance

Andy

[Richie]

I have dealt with three - Divers Warehouse, Denney Diving and Go Dive.
Prices are similar, offer next day delivery and, if you get the right person on the phone, some quick advice. But it is often quick and assumes that you know pretty much what you are after. If you are unsure then I'd recommend a personal visit but the online prices can be lower. So look, ask, decide, go home and get on line.
Some overseas companies (Dive In or something) seem cheap but I would be wary of the warranty situation) Good luck.

[Bantam]

A quick piece of advice. (Rocking Chair Ahoy)

You obviously need to know what you want before you get it, and with the wide range of choice, and if it's your first rig, then you are better off getting it from a local dive shop as you get the local help and support, plus you know you can arrange servicing, testing etc..

If you live anywhere near Bradford (I live near Filey, but do travel there to get kit if necessary) I would recommend visiting the guys at Divers Warehouse. Either that or get one of the current mags and flip to the back pages where there's an index of dive shops. Not all of them are in there, but it's a start. Yellow pages will usually have some too.

EIther that or let us know where you are near and I'll find a couple for you.

I do agree that buying the gear over the net sounds enticing, especially if the prices are significantly lower, but I would only recommend that to people who know what they want (i.e. your replacement kit a few years down the line...)

As for on the net, there's two I use to get stuff. www.simplyscuba.co.uk which is based darn sarf, who are pretty good (and for those of us who are PADI instructors, you get a discount). I've used DiveInn (www.diveinn.com) a few times and the kit was always 1st Class with fast delivery. They're based in L'Estartit in Spain, but have a fantastic range of gear at prices which make the UK retailers wince (ergo why they've a bad reputation here - I remember remarking to someone that I'd been looking at DiveInn and he went on a ramble about how they're killing UK dive shops...). They now do loads of freediving stuff so I usually get that from there as there isn't any freediving shops near here!!

[Dr Stevil]

Judging by the current climate here I think I can anticipate some of the comments; someone recently said  "buy kit you'll grow into, not out of". So having said that you'll probbly find folk will advise you thus: Suit: membrane drysuit
BCD: Wing with Stainless steel backplate
Tanks: Twins (7's, 10's or 12's)
Regs: I think apex's are fairly favourite at the moment, reliable, relatively good value and big thumbs-up from DIR & BSAC folk

Fins - well you've got them already but you would have probably been advised to get rubber ones, either the relatively heavy Jet-fins or the lighter split-fin design.

Anyhoo, don't be afraid to ask 'cos there's nowt divers like better as a close second to diving than talking about kit.
Re on line suppliers - half the fun of buying kit is looking around the store (I love the smell of neoprene in the morning, smells like....), but be warned - give your credit card to someone else to hold for you! Kit Fever can be detrimental to relationships, Right guys?
Typically, Diverswarehouse is the usual receptacle for my spondoolix
HTH
Steve
oops! forgot URL www.diverswarehouse.co.uk


(Edited by Steve W at 11:40 am on Jan. 16, 2003)

[Tim Ingmire]

I'd mirror everything the guys above have said.  With maybe one caveat - don't buy anything on Impulse - down that path lies certain dissapointment.  I keep telling myself this and constantly let myself down.

Don't dismiss second-hand kit either.

I've recently discovered the joys of Divers Warehouse but I'd also take a look at SDS Watersports in Sheffield and not far from the M1.  The website isn't great but the store is big and they have a price matching agreement - so, see it cheaper in Devon and go to SDS and get it cheap there too.

[John Gulliver]

I agree with all the postings recommending Divers Warehouse. They are very good and seem to have just about everything, although not everything is listed on their webiste. If you can't find what you want there, just ring and ask. They are very helpful.
Go-Dive are said to be cheapest for Apex regs. Their web adress is http://www.divebox.co.uk The site is a shambles but they are cheap for certain items,including cylinders. I've never dealt with them though.
The main thing, as others have said, is that you've got to know exactly what you want if you are going to buy online.

[Dr Stevil]

Also Robin Hood Watersports used to do a nifty little intrest free credit dodge, ie if you didn't payup by 9 months then you paid interest, bit like Dixons et al.
Don't know if that's still on the table though.

[Tim Ingmire]

DW do Intrest-free too.  Provided you spend over a grand!

[Dr Stevil]

now that's just an excuse for us to spend spend spend innit?I can just hear the excuses to the "other halves" "But it's cheaper if I spend more money, honest..."

[Bantam]

The only thing I would add is;

1: Dry Suit - whatever you feel most comfortable in (not necessarily membrane....). I have both, and either of them have plus and minus points.
2: BCD / Tanks. I've been diving since I was 14 (15 years), and I've only recently had the urge to switch to a twinset.
If you're just starting out, I'd recommend you use single cylinder (12L or 15L) as that is what everyone else you dive with will most likely use. A twinset for an OW diver or even an AdvancedOW is overkill to the extreme (and possibly even for a Rescue Diver).
As for BC - again, some people like Wings, some people like regular BCD's. You're best trying out a variety of kit and working out what you like the most.