COMPLETE SCUBA DIVING GEAR PACKAGES

This Diver’s Supply package is a formidable cheap scuba diving gear packages option amongst its competitors. It offers a range of quality brands, including the likes of Edge dive gear and Mares dive gear. Not only does this dive gear package include a BCD, first stage primary, octopus and regular bag, but it allows for computer customization. You can choose either a Suunto Cobra computer console or a Mares Puck Pro wrist computer with a Sea Elite Slimline 2 console. This Diver’s Supply provides quality gear with flexible options.

1. Sea Elite Scout BCD (Weight Integrated)
2. HOG D3 Regulator
3. EDGE Escape Octopus
4. Regulator Bag
5. Mares Puck Pro Wrist Computer

BRAND: DIVERS SUPPLY
STANDOUT FEATURES: Excellent value for money

The Cressi Aquaride BCD are truly one for the pros amongst the scuba diving gear packages. It has integrated weights and back weight pockets. It comes with the standard 1-st and 2-nd stage regulator as well as a compact octo. The Leonardo C2 console keeps track of your entire diving session while it sits well protected in the GupG regulator bag.

1. Cressi BCD 
2. Cressi MC9 compact regulator
3. Cressi Leonardo C2 Dive computer
4. XS Octopus

BRAND: CRESSI
STANDOUT FEATURES: BCD available in multiple sizes

The Cressi Travelight is one of the best travel scuba diving gear packages currently available on the market. The entire kit weighs only 15 pounds! The package also contains everything you could need to dive while traveling, including fun accessories like a dive light and travel suitcase. Also, the computer is Air/Nitrox compatible for those divers with a Nitrox specialty. This is undeniably at the top of scuba diving gear packages for traveling.

1. Cressi Travel Light BCD (Weight-Integrated)
2. Cressi Air/Nitrox Leonardo C2 Computer Console
3. Cressi Regulator Set
4. Cressi Octo
5. Gear Up Guide Regulator Bag
6. Akona Roller Suitcase
7. i-Torch Dive Light

BRAND: CRESSI
STANDOUT FEATURES: Lightweight scuba gear – Great travel BCD for scuba – Compact gear case

The Aqua Lung scuba diving gear packages is one of the best all-around packages due to the high quality of the gear. Aqua Lung scuba gear is durable and won’t fray or break with heavy use. The Pro HD BCD is weight-integrated for comfort. The Titan primary comes with a balanced diaphragm mechanism for smooth breathing. Additionally, the Aqua Lung i300C computer is also flexible between air or Nitrox, allowing divers with the Nitrox specialty to switch easily from one diving type to another.

1. Aqua Lung Pro HD BCD (Weight-Integrated)
2. Aqua Lung Titan Regulator
3. Aqua Lung ABS Octopus
4. Aqua Lung i300C Air/Nitrox Computer

BRAND: AQUA LUNG
STANDOUT FEATURES: Quality scuba equipment for beginners – Air/Nitrox compatible computer

Another unsurprisingly good scuba product from Cressi. These Solid scuba diving gear packages have everything you need for a summer dive at a very fair price. It’s a jacket style BCD with two zippered pockets and several d-rings perfect for accessories. This package is definitely a ‘solid’ choice as it contains all the essentials for a summer dive.

1. Cressi BCD
2. Cressi Regulator
3. Low-Pressure Hose
4. Pressure Gauge
5. HP hose

BRAND: CRESSI
STANDOUT FEATURES: BCD available in multiple sizes

This Cressi packages are the perfect kit of the best scuba gear packages for beginners. The package’s focus is on the very essentials: a Cressi Pro Start BCD and a scuba regulator set including the first stage, second stage primary and second stage octopus. The Cressi Start BCD is made of durable nylon and is popular with dive shops and dive schools alike as a tough rental option.

1. Cressi Start BCD
2. Cressi Regulator
3. Cressi Secondary
4. Mini C2 Gauge Analog Console

BRAND: CRESSI
STANDOUT FEATURES: Ultra-durable BCD

The Mares Prime SMU and Abyss 22 packages are a great cheap scuba diving gear packages. The Mares Prime SMU BCD is fully weight-integrated for comfort and close-fit to the body for maximum streamlining. The BCD adjusts to six different sizes, making this an ideal BCD for different climes where different wetsuits or even dry suits may be needed. The Mares Puck wrist dive computer is also easy to use with a one-button touch navigation.

1. Mares Prime BCD (Weight-Integrated)
2. Mares Abyss 22 Navy II Regulator
3. Mares Abyss Octo
4. Mares Puck Pro Wrist Dive Computer
5. SEAC Mini SPG Pressure Gauge (Imperial)

BRAND: MARES
STANDOUT FEATURES: Weight-integrated & size-adjustable BCD – Easy-to-use dive computer

While Oceanic snorkeling gear are top of its class, Oceanic scuba dive gear packages has many great options as well. For instance, this Oceanic Price-Buster package is a super compact unit, fitting down for easy travel. The Oceanic BCD is lightweight, with lots of adjustability. The VEO 100 computer console also has a great uplifted face shape for easy-to-see gauges. Oceanic is a reputable brand that also boasts a range of reliable dive computers, for both beginner and experienced divers alike.

1. Oceanic Oceanpro BC/BCD
2. Max Depth Swiv Combo Depth and Pressure Gauge
3. Alpha 8 + SP5 regulator
4. Alpha 8 Octo

BRAND: OCEANIC
STANDOUT FEATURES: Excellent value for money

GEAR BREAKDOWN

Buoyancy Control Device (BCD): A BCD’s job is to maintain a diver’s buoyancy underwater. The best BCDs fit close to the body, to streamline mass. This is one of the pieces of scuba diving gear packages for women which is important to try on before buying. Sometimes, in women’s dive gear, the chest clip may be too tight for bustier ladies.

Dive Regulator Set: Most scuba regulator packages will include all of the following:

• First Stage: Attaches the regulator to the scuba tank. Its job is to reduce air pressure as the air travels from the tank to the diver.
• Primary Second Stage: This is the part a diver places in their mouth. It acts as the second stage of pressure reduction, bringing the air to ambient pressure, allowing the diver to breathe safely.
• Alternate Second Stage: This is also known as a buddy regulator or octopus. It completes the same function as the primary second stage but is a back-up. It commonly comes in a bright yellow color for easy visibility in emergency situations.
• Submersible Pressure Gauge (SPG): The SPG is connected to the first stage to monitor the air left in the scuba tank. Often, depending on which scuba regulator package you choose, the console with an SPG can also hold other gauges such as depth, compass or computers.
• Low-Pressure Inflator Hose: This hose connects the first stage to the BC inflator. A push of a button and the BC will fill with air from the tank.

Dive Computers: These are used to measure the time and depth of a dive to provide a safe ascent profile as well as a log of the dive.

Regulator Bag: This is usually a lunchbox-sized square bag with handles, where a regulator kit is stored to prevent damage to hoses or mouthpieces.

Gear Bag: A gear bag can range in size, but normally is big enough to hold a BCD, regulator, mask, snorkel, and fins. Very long or wide fins may not fit average gear bags.

BUYING NEW vs USED GEAR

Buying new scuba diving gear packages are almost always better than buying used diving equipment. This is due to a few reasons. First, because the gear is not new, it most likely does not have a scuba manufacturer warranty, meaning that if something goes wrong, you are on the hook for fix-up costs. Secondly, unless you know what to look for and how to take apart and put gear back together again, it is very likely you wouldn’t know what problems to look for (in regulator systems, hoses, computers, etc.). However, if you do decide to consider used scuba gear packages, keep the following in mind:

BCDs: Inflate the vest ¾ full and check for frays, ribbing or any other signs of massive wear. Check for signs of diving wear such as that pockets are not torn and that all straps, clips, and belts work smoothly. Do not worry overly much about fading, as chlorine or sun-exposure can bleach color without harming a BCD’s function.

Regulator: Check hoses on a regulator for any signs of damage, rust or micro-tears. Really, a test done by a local shop is preferable before buying. Also, always get a used regulator fully serviced by a licensed professional before using it, just in case.

Dive Computer: First, review the operator’s manual. Run a self-test and check that all functions work. Reselling dive computers is a bit more common than other pieces of dive equipment because as divers become more experienced, they may upgrade to more expensive computers to suit their needs, selling their older, but perfectly working, computers.

WHERE TO BUY GEAR

Some scuba diving gear packages are sold on Amazon, such as Cressi and Aqua Lung scuba gear packages. However, other options such as Scuba Pro gear, Deep Six dive gear, Aeris dive gear, and Edge dive gear are either not sold on Amazon or are not rated, which makes it hard for buyers to decide on which option is best.

A pro tip is to research first then head to the manufacturer’s site to price compare. After that, your local dive shop may be able to get a discount off of the manufacturer’s price, depending on what you are ordering. For example, if you wanted a specific ScubaPro BCD such as the ScubaPro Knighthawk BCD, you might notice it isn’t available on Amazon. Instead, you could head over to the ScubaPro dive gear manufacturer site to check the list price. Now, ScubaPro travel BCDs and ScubaPro scuba diving gear packages are quite popular with dive shops, in general. If you went to a local shop, chances are that they’d have ScubaPro package items that you could test out or try on. They may even have an understanding with the manufacturer and be able to get you one of the ScubaPro packages for a discounted price.

HOW TO TRAVEL WITH GEAR

Part of buying the latest scuba diving gear packages are considering whether or not you intend to travel with it. If so, keep an eye out for lightweight BCD packages which will have light gear to avoid overweight baggage fees at the airport. Some of the best travel BCD packages will also have scuba diver accessories for travel such as gear bags for on-the-go ease (such as the Cressi Travelight package). Just make sure to weigh your gear before heading off. You can always leave behind heavier items, such as regulators and BCDs if needed. Scuba shops have spares to rent. This also applies to weights and tanks. Leave them at home and rent some instead. Also, make sure to check if your flight allows batteries in checked luggage, if at all. If flying isn’t a concern, just make sure to pack your gear safely in your car or on a boat, so that it does not roll around or get damaged by hard impact.

ADVANCED SPECIALTIES AND GEAR

For those who like icy climes, cold water scuba diving gear packages are a must. A dry suit, thick gloves, booties, and a hood are also probably necessary. However, because cold water diving requires more gear than for warmer water, cold water diving gear is not usually included in package deals, but instead added onto an existing warmer clime gear setup.

The Nitrox certification can also impact what gear a diver buys. Some gauge consoles or computers may be able to compute Nitrox as well as air mixtures, making them valuable assets for divers switching between normal and Nitrox diving (see the Aqua Lung i300C Air/Nitrox Computer in the  Pro HD Aqua Lung scuba package, for example).

CLEANING AND STORAGE

Regardless of which scuba brands you use, the scuba diving gear packages cleaning and storage are usually the same. For masks, wetsuits, BCDs and fins, just rinse the items in salt-free water over and over again until any salt or spit residue is washed away. For your regulator, make sure to release some tank air before attaching your first stage. After a dive, dry the dust cap by releasing a quick burst of air from your tank before fitting it back into the regulator for storage. This is important to prevent water from getting into the hoses. Hang wetsuits using sturdy plastic or non-corrosive hangers (such as this ScubaPro hanger). As far as dive gear storage is concerned, once your gear is dry, store it in a location that is out of direct sunlight and gets fresh air so your gear can breathe.

For more advice on scuba diving gear, check out our reviews on underwater scooters, BCDs for women and waterproof flashlights.

As always, we create our content with you, fellow adventurers, in mind. So, how’d we do? Did you find this informative? Did it help you make a decision? Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you below. Thanks for reading and we hope your next adventure is a great one!