Best Scuba Diving Gear Packages Buying Guide
Best Scuba Diving Gear Packages Buying GuideAfter you start diving and the interest mounts you most likely soon decide you would like some of your own gear that is more suited to your own particular needs. After purchasing a mask and fins you move into the possibility of spending substantially to get what you want in the other categories. Piece by piece it all adds up pretty quickly – BCD, regulator, gauges, dive computer, baggage…and the selection process can be daunting. An alternative is to keep your eyes peeled for some package deals where gear that is pretty well matched is made into a set at a lower price than when bought piece by piece. I’ve tried to save you a little work by doing that here. Below I’ve brought together sets of equipment to match different levels of experience and for travel. After that is a comparison table.
For information and reviews of categories of equipment to give you a frame of reference, please take a look at these articles:
- Best BCDs for Women of 2020
- Best Scuba BCD Review – Top 11
- What is a Scuba BCD?
- Top 5 Best Scuba Regulators of 2020
- Top 10 Best Dive Computers of 2020
- Best Scuba Gauges Reviewed and Compared
- Best Scuba Dive Bags of 2020
- Best Scuba Dive Lights of 2020
Best Scuba Gear Packages Reviews
- Aqua Lung Zuma
- Cressi Travelight
- Cressi Start
- Cressi R2 Leonardo
- Cressi Aquaride Leonardo
- Mares Prime
- Mares Abyss 22
- Scubapro Equator
- Scubapro Knighthawk
- Mares Premium
The Aqua Lung Mikron is the smallest and lightest in the Aqua Lung range. Altogether the whole package only weighs 8 pounds (3.63 kg) but there has been no scrimping in durability with 420D fabric used for the Zuma BCD. This is a very manageable weight for travel in a reasonably priced set.
- Aqualung Zuma BCD (Weight Integrated)
- Aqualung Mikron Blue Regulator with ABS Octopus
- Aqualung i300 Dive Computer (4 operating modes) and SPG in a console
- Comes in 7 sizes and 3 color combinations
- Moderate price
This is a quality package that comes in at 15 pounds (6.8 kg) for easy portage and transportation fees. There is a regulator bag and roller backpack to put it all in with enough room for your mask, fins, and other accessories as well. A range of sizes for men and women and color combinations are available to suit your body and style preferences.
- Cressi Travelight BCD (weight integrated)
- Cressi MC9 Compact Regulator with Cressi Octo
- Leonardo C2 Console Dive Computer with Cressi Mini SPG
- Durable Akona Less Than 7 Pounds Roller Suitcase
- Sturdy Gear Up Guide Regulator Bag
- iTorch Dive Light
- Men’s and women’s sizes
- Several color combinations
- Moderate price
This is a very rugged set designed for dive centers and beginning divers. It is all of quality construction and designed to take a few knocks and scrapes at a very affordable price.
- Cressi Start BCD
- AC2 1st Stage INT with XS2 2nd Stage and XS Octopus
- Mini C2 Gauge Analog Console
- Comes in Black in 4 sizes
- Low price
This is a very sturdy weight integrated BCD and reliable regulator with an easy to use popular dive computer. It is reasonably priced and makes a really nice package for a beginning diver.
- Cressi R1 Leonardo BCD (Weight Integrated)
- Cressi AC2 Compact Regulator with Cressi Compact Octopus
- Cressi Leonardo Air/Nitrox Computer Console with Cressi Mini SPG
- Gear Up Guide Regulator Bag
- Comes in 5 sizes
- Reasonable price
This package is similar in quality and pricing to the R1 set just above. The Aquaride BCD is set up a little bit differently with more adjustable settings and more lift from the back. The MC9 regulator is a balanced diaphragm model. Altogether this is a good quality package for beginner divers.
- Cressi Aquaride Pro BCD (Weight Integrated)
- Cressi MC9 Compact First and Second Stage Regulator and Compact Octo (Balanced Diaphragm 1st Stage)
- Cressi Leonardo Air/Nitrox Computer Console and Cressi Mini SPG
- Gear Up Guide Regulator Bag
- Comes in 5 Sizes
- Reasonable price
The Mares Prime set comes with quality components including a durable fully adjustable weight integrated BCD with large pockets for extra storage and a balanced diaphragm regulator. It is a reasonably priced package that does not include a dive computer.
- Mares Prime BCD (Weight Integrated)
- Mares Rover 12S Regulator with Mares Rover Octopus (Balanced Diaphram 1st Stage)
- Mares Mission 2 Gauge Analogue Console
- Gear Up Guide Regulator Bag
- Comes in 6 sizes
- Reasonable price
Mares Abyss 22
The Mares Hybrid Pro Tec hybrid BCD is very durable with lots of storage and 55 pounds (25 kg) of lift capacity. The Abyss 22 reg is a balanced diaphragm environmentally sealed model that incorporates the Mares Air Control Alternate Air Source aiding in streamlining. The wrist-mounted Mares Puck Pro Dive Computer has 3 operating modes and 24 dive storage. Altogether this makes a nice package for divers looking for a step up from a beginner’s set. However, it does not include an SPG.
- Mares Hybrid Pro Tec BCD (Weight Integrated)
- Mares Abyss 22 Navy Regulator (Balanced Diaphram) with Mares Air Control Alternate Air Source
- Mares Puck Pro Plus Wrist Dive Computer
- Phantom Aquatics Impulse 600 Torch
- Mares Regulator Bag
- No SPG
The Equator BCD is light-weight, durable, and weight integrated with plenty of storage due to 6 D-rings and two zippered pockets. It has an easy to fold backpack for packing and travel purposes. The MK21 is a nice piston valve regulator and with the Galileo Luna Computer, there is hoseless gas integration for further streamlining. This is a nice intermediate package.
- Scubapro Equator BCD (Weight Integrated)
- Scubapro MK21/S560 Regulator with Scubapro C200 Octopus
- Scubapro Galileo Luna Dive Computer (4 Modes) with Transmitter (hoseless gas integration)
- No SPG (none needed)
This package contains the Scubapro signature components with their top of the line regulator and iconic back inflated BCD with Air II alternate air source. With the Galileo Luna and transmitter, this is an even more streamlined and efficient unit.
- ScubaPro KnightHawk BCD (Weight Integrated)
- ScubaPro MK25/S600 Regulator and Regulator Bag
- ScubaPro Air II Balanced (4th Generation)
- ScubaPro Galileo Luna (4 modes) with Transmitter (hoseless gas integration)
- No SPG (none needed)
| Picture | Package | Best Suited For | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picture | Package | Best Suited For | Rating | Price |
  | Aqua Lung Zuma | Travel | 4.7 | $$ |
  | Cressi Travelight | Travel | 4.7 | $$ |
  | Cressi Start | Budget/Beginner/Dive Shop | 4.3 | $ |
  | Cressi R1 Leonardo | Beginner | 4.8 | $$ |
  | Cressi Aquaride Leonardo | Beginner | 4.9 | $$ |
  | Mares Prime | Beginner | 4.4 | $$ |
  | Mares Abyss 22 | Mid-level | 4.5 | $$$ |
  | Scubapro Equator | Mid-level | 4.5 | $$$$$ |
  | Scubapro Knighthawk | Advanced | 4.7 | $$$$$ |
For some guidance on the full range of scuba gear, please check this review:
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