Best diving packages according to redditors

You will get a lot of backslash here but some ideas....

Have you considered a Hookah system? Essentially is surface supplied air with a compressor and a really long hose. You can find portable ones that float or land-based ones; gasoline, battery or electric ones. Like: https://www.browniedive.com/store/p249/E150_Electric_Series_Compressor_system.html

You can avoid the compressor altogether and get one with a proper scuba tank, might be convenient to avoid the cost of maintaining your hookah compressor: https://www.amazon.com/BROWNIES-DOUBLE-FITTINGS-Second-Y-Splitter/dp/B014RIVD7Y/

Last, boat owners usually have a very basic scuba setup. It has only one second stage, a backpack, an a small tank (like an S40). They use it to clean the hull, get the anchor,etc... might work for you.

For gear it really depends on what you want, and what you will fish. I will give you some ideas though.

FINS:
If you want to dive more shallow/ near rocks or on reefs, get some nice plastics for now. They will help you build up endurance as well.

You can also upgrade to fiberglass right off the bat. Find some foot pockets you like. I recommend trying pathos and omer. Then buy some fiberglass fins for them. You can also put a skin on these to protect against rocks or reefs but know that you could still scratch them.

I don't recommend carbon because they are pretty expensive and it's not something you want to use as a beginner.


GUNS:
This is my favorite. A good size all around gun is about a 110cm. This will allow you to actually catch a lot. Reef and some bigger ones.

If you want just reef, go a little smaller. This way you shoot in holes and under rocks.

Again as a beginner, I don't think you need to buy anything bigger right now. Wait until your skills are better. If you don't like the idea of eventually buying another gun, buy a roller version. Gives you some longer distance in shorter guns. I.e 110cm roller will shoot about the same as a 130cm non roller.

There are many options for guns. You can get aluminum rail gun, carbon rail gun, many kinds of wood guns. Aluminum is cheaper. Carbon is lighter, and the right wood gun is a piece of art that will cost you but you will love as much as you can.

You can get a standard 2 band, a roller, an inverted roller (not really newbie gun).

Now my person recommendation for you:

Get pathos or omer foot pockets. Try them on. Pathos is very light, very durable, and able to mold to your feet. Omer is considered one of the most comfortable. Buy some plastic AND fiberglass blades. You can interchange them for where you want to go. You want to go reef and not worry about scratches possibly breaking your fins, put the plastics. You want to dive deeper and shoot pelagic fish, put in the fiberglass.
If you buy your stuff as a set of fiberglass fins, adding the plastic back ups can be very little $20-$50.

The gun is what i call the budget breaker. It can be something dirt cheap to over a grand. So I will give you a few options.

Option one - mares sling bandit. 110 cm. $140

Option 2 - . Pathos open laser pro 110cm $309
(I prefer the D'Angelo 2)

Option 3 - Rob Allen tuna 100cm $290

Option 4 - order a custom wood gun or look up the sea sniper.

I love the Pathos and Rob Allen. Pathos shoots perfectly for me. Rob Allen has a very smooth trigger pull. They also have the option of a roller muzzle. These prices are based off Amazon.

If you have any questions or want some more input on the perfect equipment suited for what YOU need or want. I recommend calling Spear America ask to talk to Petros. That man is amazing. He can get you the perfect set up that you will love and he has some of the best prices. He also knows how to ship pretty cheap. I call him for all my gear.

The thing is there are also lots of options on Amazon and it's not clear what these are providing for or how they would intermix with PADI's online test.

https://www.amazon.com/Online-Enriched-eLearning-Certification-Classroom/dp/B014LC0J30/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=enriched+air&qid=1555712661&s=gateway&sr=8-1

This one states ($129) that they send you a code for PADI eLearning.

https://www.amazon.com/PADI-Enriched-Diving-Crew-Pack/dp/B004287914/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=enriched+air&qid=1555712725&s=gateway&sr=8-2

This one states (just $80) that it comes with: DVD, Enriched Air Dive Book, Recreational Diver Planner Nitrox Dive Simulator Access CardEANx Computer Dive Simulator Access Card allows the buyer to download a Diving simulator program from PADI.

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The key is that I'd hate to buy either of these only to find I still need to pay the $189 on the PADI site to take the written test. The dive shop in Jupiter said, "Just take the online course at 2-3 hours and then come here and we finish it up for you."

Here u go. Some sized are prime eligible. I got the 3xs-2xs size which isn't prime but i still got it within a few days.
Waterproof Mens Superstretch Lycra Skin Suit, 3XS-2XS https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073MLVHT5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_JGjoDbKT9GSD1