Transitioning from Rent to Own

[MNDiver]

Here is my two cents:

I would start by re-reading Lonnie's post. 

Just like any other activity you get into, you really don't know what you do or don't like until you have tried a few things.  This applies to all sorts of stuff...I am on my third set of camera gear and stopped counting with dive gear.

Three points to ponder....

First: The really short answer to your question is to try it before you buy it, no matter what any other diver/instructor/shop says.  It has to be right for YOU and the kind of diving you are doing/plan to do.  I have talked to lots of people that get the "package" at a shop then after diving awhile realize "I would have really liked the BCD/Fins/Reg with the (fill in the blank) feature, unfortunately unless you dove bunch, you would not have realzed you cared about any particular feature.   At that point you have to come to grips with the concept of "SCUBA Bucks" and just suck up owning three of everything.....

Second: You will find no shortage of people that are VERY VERY shop loyal, brand loyal or "style" loyal.  Try whatever shop, brand, or style you are comfortable with... but stay with what works for you.  Who cares if someone else thinks some gear is really really cool.. does it work for you?  When you hear something like "the only brand to dive is X, just stop listening.  Really, would all the dive shops that don't sell brand X be in business in the area if the stuff they sold didn't work? 

Three: Embrace Renting....  I know it is hard to pay out a rental fee when that money could go to owned gear.  In the end, the "package deal" is only a deal if you don't have to buy twice.  It is also no deal at all if you sell it all off and give up diving in one year because you were never really comfortable underwater due gear fit, features, or function.  Don't underestimate how poor fiting or underfeatured products will slow the learning curve and make you feel like you have a problem, when it is really the gear.    Some shops rent entire packages for the summer.  If you like the stuff, you can buy it at a pretty reduced price at the end of the rental time.  If they throw in free air with the rental tank, you can't go wrong.  At any time you don't like the stuff.  Don't rent it anymore or exchange a piece for one that works for you. 

Specific Equipment: Tanks. If you plan to dive a lot, get a tank.  If you are not sure, rent.  The only problem is that on some weekends, it may be pretty hard to find a rental tank unless you call ahead and reserve it.   BCD's: Get an adjustable one. In the frozen north, you may wear +5mm thermal protection sometimes and in a year or so thicker layers or a dry suit with thick thermals.  Then when you get down south, you realize your BCD is too big for your 2 or 3mm shorty.  Adjustable is the way to go.   The personal stuff like wetsuit, mask, gloves.... get those soon so you are comfortable with them.  You know.... did the dive before you deploy self contained warm water heating in the suit before you?

OK, there are my two cents....