During my active diving days, I too have a full set, even knifes and torchlights. It cost me at that time, let's see, RM1500 for the Scuba Pro BCD, RM1500 for US Divers regulator set plus octopus and gauge (smallest mouthpiece at that time but regretted later as bubbles comes out in front of your eyes ), plus Mares fins, Tusa goggles and booties, gloves, knife, a weight belt and also a US Divers wetsuit, it comes to almost 6K. I even have those retractable thingee to put back your gauge after looking at it. Everything is housed in those oversized plastic container bought in those hypermarkets. My wife also has a full set too. we even have a portable trolley to move them.

Thing is, when we go for diving trips, we hauled everything onto the car, onto ferries, onto boats and then after the dives, we do again in reverse. THen after reaching home, take everything out again and wash with fresh water and hang out the booties and wetsuits to dry, sometimes it takes ages to dry. Very 'mafan leh!' During those trips, we also have other divers who came just bringing themselves. No hauling and cleaning.

I then sold my wife's and my diving gear but kept the fins, booties and goggles only. Diving trips was very much easier after that. I used to have in my bag a small cutter and some cable ties and also my own silicone mouthpiece so I can change the mine onto the regulator and replace them after a diving for the day. Fact is in Malaysia, dive trips cost the same regardless of whether you are using your own equipments or supplied by dive operators. I think if we dive just 3 or 4 times a year, buying equipments are not really necessary, just a thought.

i agree with you etigge, if i only dive 3-4 times a year. i wont buy others expensive gears like bcd n reg. Unless suddently i got 12 month bonus
currently i have wetsuit, fins and booties only. planning to buy mask n snorkle during mide and i think thats enuf for my gears:)

btw, im interested when u mention about "own silicone mouthpiece", is this universal style and standard? let say if i buy one, can i fit it on any regulator at dive centre?

i beg to differ. i think it's worth it to buy your own gears, if you can afford it. having your own gears means you'll get comfortable with what you're using, and you know all the little things about your gears. that way, in an emergency situation, you dont have to start fiddling and panic trying to find out where your dump valve is, how to dump your weights (those integrated ones), etc. i've seen countless divers having issues just taking off fins after their dives while one hand hanging by the side of the boat. having your own set of gears eliminates all these issues.

which is why i always think that having your own gears is worth it, but again, only if you can afford it. if not, like what bro etigge says, rent also can. diving 3-4 times a year, means each time rent also RM200-300, also comes out to RM600-1200 (depending lah), means you can almost buy a gear every other year. get a 2nd hand BCD is ok, but better get new regs or 2nd regs from trusted ppl. i got a friend bought a 2nd hand reg, the 2nd stage got hairline cracks. sent for service, the thing crack open....now also dunno how....service centre and seller claims no responsibility....so he kena telan the reg money

That's why I keep the booties and fins and also the mask which is personal in nature. BCDs and regulators and gauges are quite standard as they all does the same function. Any reputable dive centers will maintain theirs properly. even so, if bad luck persists and if there's a problem with with, you can just thumb up and ascend to get replaced on the boat which rarely happens. Off course you can be special and have your own but to me it is just too bothersome. Just like in Langkawi, a dive excursion cost RM250-RM280 for two dives with equipments. If you have your own equipments, also the same rate and it happens in all dive sites in M'sia. Only thing is the 'look good' factor to other divers lah, off course. I would rather invest it in a good camera with a good housing. It serves more purpose as you can use the camera elsewhere.

Don't get me wrong, I mean in KL/PJ or elsewhere for that matter, how often do you go diving? Carrying it to other further destinations is even more bothersome especially with the limited baggage allowance. I have been to Manado and the dive centers have even better dive equipments than I have. Australia's, my friend came back with only good comments on their facilities. I got an even more crazier dive friend, he even has 2 tanks and gets it refill in dive centers and he carries a small emergency tank during dives

@halftothemax, yes the size of the silicon mouthpiece is standard. 6" or 5" cable tie willdo.

Just bought new set BCD,reg ,Octo and gauge only RM2,300 at Dive Stations ..MIDE today

Fathom One (BP with 30lbs wing )
Oceanic Alpha 8 Reg
Slimline Octo
SWIV Maxdepth Gauge

Thanks for update. Any other interesting promo item? Can't wait for tomorrow.

The most cheapest promotion set at Scubatex only RM1,350.0..

anything worth getting there?? itchy itchy lah

Its doesn't worth for you getting here,if you can breathing under water

Did you notice anyone selling S95 underwater housing? I'm looking for one. If you free can help me check the price? Thanks in advance.

Im @ MIDE right now.. And just bought power mask and snorkel (IST Proline) only RM234.40. @ SCUBATEX booth....

I dont know much about the brand, but i think it enough for me for a beginner.

Aiyoo...I didn't notice your post for the price. I'm just window shopping there today. Tomorrow, going again for purchasing. Overall, the item that I need are different 200-300 from their mid year sale (30%). So I guess its a good buy.

i dont know to swim.. can i take diving course?

anyone know about the news on pulau redang(or was it perhentian) that is gonna get closed down for coral conservation...is it true?

and also, anyone know about the quality of pulau aur?

IST is a Taiwan brand if I'm not mistaken. Cheaper than US and European brands, not as top quality I would say but good enough.

okay thanks for the info... i have to go to Scubatex office next week to 'pasang' my power lens...

it's okay right during scuba/OWC I wear dryfit shirt (got zip on the neck) and surf short? rash guard @ scudatex a look yesterday at MIDE not very nice in term of design..hihi... but the price is good.

Haha it's alright. I just wanted to know the price cause I'm planning to get from US soon.

It's better if you know but it's not hard to learn. Not a requirement though. PADI just require you to be comfortable in water.

From what I understand, only certain dive sites are close for conservation. Others are still available.

Don't really know what's a dryfit shirt but I know I bought a new ripcurl rashguard today for RM75 or so.

ripcurl @ MIDE? which booth?

That cheap? I also want to get one

No la not in MIDE. I'm currently overseas. That's why couldn't check MIDE prices.