Tips for buying scuba equipment

Shopping around can be quite tiresome, but you want to make sure you get the best price for your equipment here are some tips for buying Scuba equipment.

When you shop around it can be easy to forget the difference between best price and best value. What do we mean by this? When it comes to buying dive equipment you want to make sure it is the best piece of dive equipment for you, the fit is correct, it is suitable for what you need it for and it is a good price. If one of these aspects is not covered, you find yourself disappointed with your purchase.

Tips for buying scuba equipment: Fit

Have you ever bought something online and found that even though you measured yourself and your measurements mean that size is the correct size for you, it doesn’t fit? We do not like asking customers to buy products without trying it on.  Some pieces of equipment like masks, fins, boots and wetsuits fit really well when you are in the shop, you can try them, make sure they fit, and you are happy with the product. Others like BCD’s you want to try them out, make sure the BCD fits when you are in your wet/drysuit, that it supports you whilst underwater and you can access those pockets whilst diving. For this you need to dive it. We offer a try before you buy service on our BCD’s and some regulators in the pool.

Tips for buying scuba equipment: Suitability

You have seen a new computer, you love the look of it, you like what is has to offer and the price. Is it suitable? There is a huge range of products out there, looking around can make your head spin in a million different directions, so how do you choose. The computer you are looking at does everything you need as an entry level diver, what more could you ask for? One thing we ask you is where do you want diving to take you? Are you starting your diving career and want to go technical in the future? Can you see that small face computer but know that your eyesight is not what it used to be? Make sure you are buying equipment that will last you years, through numerous diving development dives and courses, something your diving can grow with.

Tips for buying scuba equipment: Price

You have found the equipment that fits well and is suitable for the diver you are now and the diver you want to become, next is the price. There is no point paying more than necessary. There are some great deals on the internet, ones that look great, until you need to send that product back. Maybe it is on recall (manufacturing fault), maybe it is faulty (stitching is not quite right) or maybe when it arrives you just don’t like it. That deal that saved you £20 has just cost that amount to send it back to the store you bought it from, you will not see the replacement or the fixed piece of equipment until they receive it, check it and send you out a new one.

Tips for buying scuba equipment: Talk to us.

New Horizons Dive Centre has an excellent customer service record, we receive feedback letting us know that our customers do not feel like customers but part of the family, valued and respected. When customers come into the shop and ask for a product, we ask what you would like and what are you using it for to ensure that meets you current and future diving needs. There is little reason to buy a BCD that weighs 5kg if you are planning to travel with it and not use it locally. We also offer price matches on sales prices you can find online, just let us know what you would like, and we will do our best to get it in, if not in stock already and match the price for you.

Something to think about: you cannot buy your air fill online. Support your local dive centre to make sure they are there to support you and your diving. Plus when you buy local they do a little happy dance, or is that just Clare and Sammi.