When deciding whether you should buy or rent scuba gear, there are a few things you will need to consider – How often do you go scuba diving? Do you do the majority of your dives locally or on holidays? How much are you willing to spend on dive equipment? If you are unsure of what equipment you need or whether it is worth investing in dive gear, here are a few things to consider before making a purchase.
What’s easier when travelling
If you plan on scuba diving a lot overseas, you will need to consider the additional luggage weight added by bringing your own dive gear. A typical dive gear set will likely take up the majority of your average luggage allowance so there is a high chance additional luggage fees will apply. One solution is to opt for an airline that provides additional allowances for sporting equipment, however, this may not be the cheapest flight option available. There are lightweight scuba gear options you can purchase designed specifically for travel. This is ideal for divers who do a lot of diving on holidays and are looking to invest in gear. However, if you don’t plan on doing a lot of diving whilst on holidays, renting equipment from a local dive shop is a great low-cost way for scuba diving overseas.
What an average scuba set is to buy vs rent
The biggest consideration when deciding whether to buy or rent scuba gear is how often you plan on going diving. If you are committed to getting into to water on a regular basis, buying your own set of dive gear will be the more cost-effective option. Purchasing a basic set of dive gear can cost around $300, however, investing in a complete scuba set will upwards of $1000. If you, unfortunately, don’t get to dive very often, renting gear is likely the better solution as you won’t be getting very much use out of your dive equipment. Many dive shops will charge a daily rate for dive equipment hire, so it’s a great solution for divers who aren’t ready to invest in buying their own scuba gear just yet.
Priority items for first time buyers
If you are looking to purchase your first set of scuba diving gear, you don’t need to get a full-set of dive equipment immediately. Starting with just the essentials is a great way to start investing in
scuba diving gear without blowing the budget. Essential dive equipment includes an exposure suit, fins, mask and a snorkel set. You can rent the additional items such as dive computer, BCD and regulators from your local dive shop until you are ready to purchase your own.
Renting on a budget
If you love to dive but can’t justify buying your own dive equipment, renting scuba dive gear is perfectly acceptable, especially if you are not getting in as many dives as you would like. Dolphin Scuba are a WA-based dive gear shop stocking one of Australia’s most diverse ranges of premium dive wear. Staffed by seasoned scuba divers, you can be assured you will get the right advice on the dive gear you need to buy. The Welshpool dive shop also offers the option to buy now, and pay later on their scuba diving equipment for up to 24 months interest free. If you are looking to take the plunge and buy your own dive gear, this is a great payment plan option for divers on a budget.
Open seven days a week, you can enquire online or feel free to contact us on 08 9353 2488.