Review of Equipment Websites

[White Tip]

Hi

I am thinking of getting my own gear for the first time. I always get pleasure from reading up on stuff before I make a big purchase thats whether its diving gear or a new HI Fi. I have spoken to dealers and they give good advice but obviously they flog what they have in and give their views. Before I buy I would like to have a good knowledge of the equipment and makes and their pros and cons and not just take the retailers word knowledgable though it is.

I wondered if anyone knew any good websites either UK or US based ones.

Thanks

[Ben Panter]

Hi,

Usually googling the piece of kit gives you a review or two - although what suits one person doesn't necessarily suit all. If you have particular bits of kit in mind feel free to ask here, or use the search function at the top right to see what people think.

Best thing to do is to try before you buy, and the easiest way to see and try all sorts of different bits of kit is to get diving with a club. This approach fails if everyone in the club has the same kit, but most have a good variety!

good luck,

Ben

[Richard Whitcombe]

Forums are usually a better source of information as general real people using the kit in the real world as opposed to magazines which get selected equipment for short tests and rely somewhat on advertising revenue.
Id never believe or buy anything based on a magazine write up. I do however spend a long time scanning forums for posts about what im interested in buying.

[Darren27]

Diver Magazine has a good archive of gear reviews. John Bantin gives a good honest review of stuff and is not afraid to say something is rubbish. However remember that he gives only one persons view and that his view may not be the same as yours.

After that google or search the many and varied dive forums for other peoples opinions, but dont take any one review or opnion as the truth. Kit that suits you and your style of diving may be wrong for some complete stranger that has only ever diver once on holiday but claims to be a internet dive god.

HTH

Darren

[Richard Whitcombe]

Diver reviews im fairly sure are made up or at best tested poorly or not understood or set up. Some of them are laughable. The slight difference is in Dive i dont think anyone does anything but look at them on a table.

Forums you get lots of users, their good bits, bad bits and see both sides to make a decision. Its a lot better.

[Adrian Kelland]

Another big advantage of getting the views of lots of divers is that there is a good chance that opinions have been formed over a period of use, not just a short term comparison.

Downside is that very few of us get to compare kit as we tend to use the same kit for years on end.

Adrian

[Gordon]

The other thing to remember is that there is no 'bad' diving kit (ie unsafe) in this country, so its all down to personal preference.

[huebner]

Before purchasing anything I look in diving magazines, they often test equipment. If you can speak German by a chance this excellent website might help you: http://www.tauchen.de/ausruestung/index.php (I am sure there are loads of similar sites in English). And although these tests are generally resulting in good marks, they give you a good insight in functions, price range, advantages/disadvantages, etc.

[Woz]

The other thing to remember is that there is no 'bad' diving kit (ie unsafe) in this country, so its all down to personal preference.Buddy pocket reel.
MGE new style ratchet reel with the "random" setting.
Ouroboros rebreather (wrong lid seal).
That silly mask you have to wear contact lenses with.
Beaver puffin reel (drops to bits).
Hydrotech gloves (last about 5 dives).

Of course this is all IMHO and should be taken with a pinch of salt.

[robscubaproxlt]

Take a look on a site called DIVERNET just print in divernet on your search engine, loads of reviews and tests on equipment.Agree with most others try b4 u buy if you can.I just completed open water bsac 12 dives in total,(Experience). have all my own kit expensive but future proof and happy with it just because i looked, searched, read and took advice!happy diving.

[Forrest]

If you really want to buy off internet make sure you try or at least view the equipment before you do.
However, I have recently started diving and have found the internet to be an excellent way of saving money.

Try - simply Scuba - even if it is just for the 7tenths clothing, their delivery is excellent and I have found them to be very reliable.

SDS Watersports is also excellent, they have been voted best retailer by Diver mag for the last couple of years.

What Kit? This is pure preference but I swear by my Buddy Commando and Aqualung (Titan) regs, and pretty much any Suunto computer is worth its weight in gold, even the entry level Gekko.

Happy Divin

[Francis James]

Talking with other divers about kit is essential before committing to that expensive purchase.
I like to speak with as many divers as possible before buying new kit and this way get to know as much about it as you can. It also helps if you borrow a piece of kit for a try diveprior to making a decision. It can take a bit of time though, as I found out defore I decded on the type of back plate and wing to go for.
I once ignored a bit of advice regarding the poor performance of a particular reel and ended up buying something that failed the first time I used it and now sits in the bottom of my dive bag.
In all I have received good advice from divers and always respect other's opinions and points of view.

[AndyA]

I have read some good reviews of kit on the dive forum site scubaboard. They have individual forums for different types of kit and also have forums where you can ask manufacturers specific questions. A lot of the content is US based but there is some good info. If your looking to buy kit off the internet from the US try scubatoys, diversdirect or leisurepro. I have purchased online from scubatoys, they were very helpful and a lot cheaper than a lot of the UK sites (particularly as the exchange rate is good at present). Just remember you have to pay import duty.