"#1 This is life support equipment. Don’t necessarily think "cheap". Think quality and long term use/service ease.
#2 Go and patronize a LDS (Local Dive Shop). If you can visit more than one do so. Tell them what you are wanting and let them work with you. If they are professional and not just out to sell equipment, then you will have the best experience..."
"As other’s have mentioned, buy from an authorized dealer for service! And get your equipment serviced once a year. This equipment is your life support!!!!"
Well I have to disagree a bit here...
Virtually all well known brand names product are perfectly safe products as long as you select models appropriate for the diving profiles you intend to dive. For Instance an Environmentally sealed first stage on a regulator for diving cold water or a BCD with enough lift capacity for the bouyancy of the tank and lead the diver may need to carry. Life support or not this is scuba gear. Any manufacturer that was to intentionally release a substandard product could be held liable for it regardless of waivers signed.
As for purchasing from LDS to get support, this is hogwash. If you purchase from a authorized dealer and adhere to the qualifications of the warranty you should be able to get warranty service from any other authorized dealer/service agent. If a LDS that is a authorized dealer/service agent refuses to service a warranty issue, get on the phone with the manufacturers customer service rep and have that LDS stripped of it’s authorization. I’m willing to bet you get a call from the LDS with a change in their response.
I’m a firm believer in giving the LDS a chance to compete. In most cases they can and will. Unfortunately some shops still think they don’t need to. They are using an outdated business model for an industry that didn’t have online competition. My advise is walk away from these shops. Many have closed and more will continue to. Some will get the message and change their ways.
As for purchasing online...
Of the largest online dealers Scubatoys, Scuba.com and Leisurepro all have real brick & mortar stores. Scuba.com is an authorized dealer for everything they sell. Leisurepro and ScubaToys either are authorized dealers or offer their own warranty equal to the manufacturers. Many of the other online retailers offer similar policies so a little rese