Which snorkel to choose?

[chrisbenavides]

I am a "beginner" at snorkeling, although I am an avid swimmer. Currently, I am using the Body Glove snorkel and mask. I really don't know how other snorkels compare since I don't have a LDS. I'm seeking advice for a decent snorkel, since I will be snorkeling in Cozumel.

Aeris Cuda Dry Snorkel vs. Oceanic Ultra Dry Snorkel???

From what I notice from surfing the web, I see that these two sell the most. Would you recommend another brand???

Also, (sorry about sooo many questions), is leisurepro.com and scuba.com reliable online stores???


THANKS!

 

[ggk1988]

I use the Aeris Cuda Dry and like it, if that helps at all.

 

[NJGirlinPhx]

I have the oceanic and like it a lot.

We've purchased through leisurepro.com and had very good experiences. Also bought through scubatoys.com I'm sure scuba.com is fine, just don't have any personal experience with them.

 

[maxheadroom]

I ust the oceanic ultra dry. works great!

 

[David P]

I replied on your other mask thread about snorkels. Go with the simplest model you can find. Do not think Im cheap, I am scuba diver who dives in a drysuit, steel doubles, deco bottles, my flashlight costs about $1600! When I buy gear, as a rule of thumb I have no problem spending a bit more for quality. That said, you don't need all the bells and whistles they try to sell you on a snorkel! Please believe me that when you're on a dive boat, you always know who the new divers are (besides all gear being color coordinated...) by the big @$$ snorkel with antennas, trampolines, and a usb port integrated.

Scuba.com is a fine online store
Leisurepro.com is usually pretty tough to beat on prices, but beware on large ticket purchases, as they sell items they are not authorized dealers of. Some mfg supposedly refuse to honor warrantees if the item came form Leisurepro. One manufacture (one of the largest) ScubaPro like to say that they have heard of customers buying ScubaPro regulators from Leisurepro, only to find out that they are knock off regulators that only say ScubaPro... honestly... I don't believe it, but better to be informed.

actually Ill cross post, I talked about snorkels on your mask thread, now Ill talk about masks on your snorkel thread....

again all about fit! You can take (what I consider to be) the best mask, $125 ScubaPro frameless, but if it doesn't fit you and it leaks, then it is not worth $5 to you. That said, some very good quality masks are the SP frameless, anything Atomics, The Halcyon and Dive Rite masks are both very low volume, inexpensive compared to SP and Atomics, and stick to my face like there is a vacuum cleaner attached.

 

[Whitten]

I wanted to echo David P because that is some great advice. It is all about fit and comfort, so if that means that the $250 Hydro Optix mask is what fits you the best or the 15 Dollar US Divers does the trick you always go with what works and is most comfortable.

As far as the snorkels that you mentioned above, I can tell you from first hand experience that the Aeris Cuda Dry and the Oceanic are the exact same snorkel.

I love my Oceanic dry snorkel and it has served me well while in the Caribbean and in Fiji, so I have no complaints...save some money and buy the Aeris Cuda Dry from Leisure Pro.com

Like David mentioned above Leisure Pro is great for stuff like Mask Fins and Snorkels...I would even go as far as a BC but that is pushing it. When it comes to life support equipment you should by from someone local that you trust so that you can ask them questions when you have them, have them service it, and replace or add parts as needed. Heck most of the time if you mention that you had thought about buying online they will do what they can to drop the price to help.