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What To Look For
Quality should trump price for most pieces of diving equipment--especially in the case of the scuba regulator, the air cylinder and the dive computer. A diver's life depends on those items, so they are worth spending a little extra for better quality. Go with reputable manufacturers, such as Cressi or Mares, and when buying used equipment, make sure the seller has a strong reputation, an ironclad warranty and a fair returns policy. Also, have someone from your preferred dive shop examine the equipment before you use it.
Common Pitfalls
Diving equipment is expensive, and one thing a diver buying his first set of equipment often forgets is to plan for growth in his skills or range. For example, if a diver has an interest in getting into deep, technical diving, it pays to make an initial investment in a regulator made for technical depths (i.e. below 130 feet) and DIN valves on his air tank. Doing so saves money in the long run, because a diver needs to buy only one $800 regulator, and not a $300 regulator followed by an $800 regulator a few years down the road.
Where To Buy
When shopping for wetsuits, BCDs and dive masks, it pays to go to the shop. That way, you can try the equipment on to ensure a good fit. Your search can include online retailers, but remember that their return policies need to be solid. For example, some scuba equipment is quite heavy, and if an item needs to be replaced, the buyer should not have to pay to ship it, return it and have the replacement shipped, too.
Cost
Prices for scuba diving equipment can vary wildly. For example, regulators from the Mares Prestige line can run between $160 and $375, and its Abyss 22 regulator costs $900, as of 2009.
