BASIC SCUBA DISCUSSIONS - Who's your favorite dive shop?

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MSD FORUMS - BASIC SCUBA DISCUSSIONS

TOPIC: Who's your favorite dive shop?

bpautsch

Posted: 1/10/2007 4:05:49 PM

Joined on
1/5/2006

Hammerhead posted a question to everyone on another forum thread and it made sense to start a new thread.

The question: Who's your favorite dive shop?

I buy all my gear from Captain Darrick since he is my instructor and a good friend. But I have been to Scuba Emporium in Orland Park several times and they're great there. They have a nice showroom with lots of gear and an indoor pool for training.

Brian Pautsch
bpautsch@midwestscubadiving.com

mwdiver

Posted: 1/11/2007 9:50:30 AM

Joined on
5/27/2006

I like DJ's Scuba locker over in Lyons. I think their website is djscuba.com.

ppo2_diver

Posted: 1/11/2007 10:06:51 AM

Joined on
6/7/2006

Greg Such at Shipwreck Adventures in Two Rivers, WI. He really goes out of his way for customers and is a great guy as well.

Duane A. Johnson

www.chicagoexplorers.com

columbiascuba

Posted: 1/11/2007 11:56:39 AM

Joined on
10/23/2006

at columbia scuba inc

they have the best prices

check out there web sight at

WWW.COLUMBIASCUBAINC.COM

YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID

Gordon

gordon messinger

coyote

Posted: 1/11/2007 8:29:16 PM

Joined on
11/16/2006

I've bounced around a bit for training but have stuck with Midwest Diving Specialists out of Normal, IL for a while now. The instructors have been outstanding and I’ve met some really great people. They don’t have a giant showroom floor but have all the bases covered equipment wise.

If I’m in the middle of nowhere or need something as soon as possible I call up Joe or Larry from Scuba Toys out of Carrollton, TX. They carry almost everything, have a fast turn around time for repairs and have no problems shipping to odd places such as hotel rooms or even camp grounds.

The will to win is not as important as the will to prepare to win.

MgicTwnger

Posted: 1/14/2007 7:41:01 AM

Joined on
6/1/2006

My favorites, in no particular order:

Adventure Dive & Travel, Springfield, IL - My LDS. They give great service, have a lage selection at reasonable brick & mortar prices, also have their own pool. No tech gear though.

Mermet Springs - Glen is a good dealer who really takes care of his customers and can fix most anything on the spot.

Conch Republic Divers - Tavernier (Key Largo) dive op with a full-service store. Great folks whose rental regs and BC's are all DiveRite. Need I say more?

Liesurepro - The 500 pond gorilla of online stores. Great prices, huge selection, and a 60-day refund policy. I've delt with them a lot including returns and have never had a problem.

Tech Diving Limited - Online store with terrific prices on bottles. Wide selection of tech gear and personalized service via phone or email.

eBay - If you know what you want and are a careful/experienced eBay shopper you can get some real bargains.

I know some folks have issues with buying online but it works for me and has enabled me to get a lot or stuff I couldn't otherwise afford or even find locally.

I am not the one who needs mental help. I just need to vent.

Carmella Soprano

scubatim

Posted: 1/16/2007 3:42:58 PM

Joined on
7/22/2006

Most of my gear is bought at Gooses SCUBA in Dyer Indiana, Doug has great prices and knowledge.

All of my PADI Trainig is allso through Gooses, Don has done my basic and AOW. He is a fun and fantastic trainer.

Have you gone down lately?

divemistress

Posted: 1/16/2007 10:02:13 PM

Joined on
1/16/2007

I buy all my equipment from Sea Turtle Scuba. I get outstanding service there !!

Deb Evans

sobfrogg

Posted: 1/17/2007 11:49:13 AM

Joined on
8/4/2006

I like Leisure Pro..

But for local Frogg Pond Dive in Highland Park IL

BarfingBob

Posted: 2/28/2007 12:44:00 AM

Joined on
2/17/2007

Being out in the sticks (Rockford), my choices are limited. However, I cant complain. I am treated very well by Dan and the gang at Loves Park Dive Center. They run some great charters on Lake Geneva and Lake Michigan, too.

The Dread Pirate Barfing Bob..........

PDSLTD

Posted: 2/28/2007 2:02:20 AM

Joined on
6/28/2006

I like Pirates Cove in Milwaukee, We live in the Des Plaines, Illinois. but they are well worth the drive, and Jerry ( Len-Der Charters) has the best thing going when it come to diving the big pond East of here.

To Error on the side of Safety,
is to Live and Dive Again.

scubagal22

Posted: 10/22/2007 4:41:20 PM

Joined on
10/22/2007

Have you checked out www.diversdirect.com? Divers Direct is an authorized dealer and they price match plus give you an extra 10% of the difference. High quality for really cheap.

hammerhead

Posted: 10/23/2007 12:22:26 PM

Joined on
3/13/2006

Well, at last a little action on here!!! I heard a rumour that divers direct likes to buy factory seconds as inventory, (not as a rule, but if the opp. presents itself) My favorite shop is still scuba emporium, cant beat em for service. They are a little high some times (but, hey they gotta eat too!!!) We all need to think about that!!!!!! When your online GREAT DEAL quits working where ya gonna take it to get fixed??? We need the local dive shop!!! Oh wow he closed couldnt pay rent.

It's okay, just show us on the doll where the P.A.D.I. instructor touched you.