Posted by MHK on July 11, 2001 at 10:17:35:
In Reply to: 2 questions from a 1st time diver - corrective lenses necessary? posted by Jen Speroni on July 10, 2001 at 19:45:25:
A couple of points worth noting..First off, since you are new to the sport you really don't yet appreciate the value of the local shop. When strictly comparing a discount on-line outfit versus the local shop you have NO idea about the benefits that a local shop owner can help you out with.. There local knowledge, there years of experience and there reputation is everything to them and they will go out of there way to help you.. On-line orders are strictly concerned with numbers.. Volume is what counts and it's irrelevant to them if the gear you want fits properly or is good quality.. A local shop is all the difference in the world...
Class prices are one of the biggest scams around.. Hidden costs are commonplace and by in large after all is said and done you'll wind up + or - a few dollars either way..
Shops long ago realized that the biggest profit is getting students to buy gear so what they do is entice potential students into the shop with big ads about * Learn How to dive for $99*, then once they get you in the store they'll seel you the books, the mask, fins, snorkel, etc. etc....
Shops like Scuba Toys and Pacific Wilderness will steer you in the right direction and have been around forever so they didn't stay in business by screwing people over..
You are putting your life in an environment that you'll need training in order to survive so don't skimp..
As for the lenses, get prescretive because it's possible that you'll surface a distance from the boat and you may need to see sometimes absent a mask underwater.. Get the lenses...
Later