Question: How much money does beginner's scuba diving gear usually cost?

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Answer #1:

Try water sport,they would know more about. Good Luck!

Answer #2:

If you want everything: BC, regulator, computer, mask, fins, snorkel, booties, plan on about $900 - $1200. You can save money by getting analog gauges instead of a computer, but, you'll probably end up buying a computer later so might as well get it now (they never get cheaper).

I didn't mention a tank because most people don't buy a scuba tank (at least not at first) because you can rent one pretty cheap and it's easier to rent one at the place you're diving rather than drag it around with you (it's a $100 fee one-way to bring a scuba tank on an airplane).

Sometimes if you buy all your gear from one manufacturer you get a discount. Right now SCUBAPRO has a deal where they credit what you spend on mask/fins/snorkel toward the purchase of a BC/reg/computer (see URL below).

One thing you definitely don't want to do is get some short, crappy snorkeling fins like what they sell at COSTCO. Those will not work for scuba. Be sure and get real divers fins.

If you buy used gear, get it from a dive center. I wouldn't trust what's out there on craigslist - this is life support equipment. You don't want to take some guy's word for it that he's had his gear serviced regularly. If he's not telling the truth, you could be in big trouble.

Answer #3:

New or used?
You'll save 50% on used but you ought to ensure everything fits correctly and has been professionally serviced before purchase.
New kit will set you back at least a 1500 bucks, bare minimum:
1/ BC: Anywhere from 300-600 bucks for an entry level. 1200 bucks gets you into the big league.
2/ Mask: 80- 150 bucks. Make sure it fits.
3/ Fins: 90-250 bucks. Add 50 bucks for booties if the fins are open heel.
4/ Snorkel: 40 bucks
5/ Lead weight: About 30-50 bucks depending on how much you need and it's type. More if your BC has proprietary pockets.
6/Exposure protection appropriate to the area you'll dive: This varies considerably from a 3mm shortie all the way up to a compressed neoprene dry suit. 120 bucks to over 3 grand. Yours will be somewhere in between.
7/ A tank: 200 bucks. Two are preferable. This isn't a "mandatory item", but if you dive regularly it's a "convenient item". I disagree with the previous poster on this item though. If you dive semi regularly...most DO own at least one tank. Also, he's incorrect about airlines and tanks. None will take them on board so there is no "100 dollar charge". You could conceivably have one shipped after it's passed security and has had the valve removed but then you're looking at paying for two vizzes (30 bucks each) before the tank is fill able again. In the case of air travel, everyone leaves tanks and weights at home.
8/ The biggie....a reg set: 400 bucks to 1500. It's all going to depend on what you'll be doing with them. No point in buying a reg set that isn't compatible with Nitrox. You may want to go there later. If the set you purchase isn't nitrox compatible...you're spending more money later and going through the hassle of selling off your previous set. Same if you plan on cold water dives. You'll want environmentally sealed ones. All that costs a little extra at first but saves you money later if you buy smart.
9/ A light. 70-1500 bucks
10/ A dive knife or shears. 60 bucks and up.
11/ A dive computer. Very handy. 300 bucks and up. Saw one for 24grand but it was gold plated. That's a bit of a luxury. :)

Ideally you should be looking for gear that will last you, fits well and fit into where you plan to dive and how far into the sport you intend on going. Planning ahead will definitely save you some serious cash. No need to buy things twice because your original won't hack what you plan to do next. I guess the bottom line is that you get what you pay for and you pay to play. Don't skimp on this stuff. I disagree somewhat about rental gear that someone posted. Some of it like tanks or lead...sure.The rest of it needs to fit you. It's potentially unsafe if it doesn't. That rental reg set may have been dragged through the dirt just prior to you getting it as well. I've seen a pal rent a BC only to have the infator dump come right off the bladder. He lost their lead on that too since he couldn't inflate the BC and had to ditch. Guess who had to pay for the rental lead? He managed to avoid paying for the BC because it was obviously shoddy maintenance but then again..he should have caught that before he left the shop. Don't trust all rental gear is a good mantra.

Answer #4:

If you're a beginner then all you really need to buy is a mask, fins, and a wetsuit. You can rent just about everything else for pretty cheap. I wouldn't suggest actually buying anything more because they require slight upkeep so you should wait until you get a little more time in the water and expand your knowledge about everything scuba.





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