We stock an unmatched range of equipment. We are family owned and independent, and NZ's biggest equipment retailer, this means we can decide what we stock or recommend.
We are focused on selling equipment that we believe in, and because we are so successful, we have access to every major brand imported into NZ. Also, because we buy more, we pay less, so you get better deals!
We will not be beaten on price for any item we stock.
Dive Centre Ltd recommends select items from top brands such as:
Aqua-Lung, SeaQuest, Suunto, Technisub, Oceanic, Sherwood, Apollo, Tusa, Pro Dive, Trident, Cressi-Sub, Dolphin Drysuits, Underwater Kinetics, Sea & Sea cameras, Oceandry Otter and Bare Drysuits, Apeks, Pelican and Ikelite.
WARNING!
Ensure the store you are purchasing from (whether it is us or not :-) has good backup, and that there is someone else behind them willing to help if needed!
As much as every dive store would like to say they will be here forever (we've been here since 1971!), over the decades, "every other store" in Auckland has either gone bust, or been sold and changed what brand they stock at some point! We have seen them come, and seen them go.
If the shop you spent thousands with went bust, would you still be able to get your gear serviced at another store? Do other stores recommend the same brand?
Believe it or not, there are stores parallel importing brands today, and refusing to sell parts to other stores! "So what" you say, "I can still get it serviced there". The problem is, this forces you to deal with them, and what if they go bust?
Now, no one will say there is a chance of their company going bust! They will always tell you "we buy hundreds of this or that at a time", etc etc. What you want to hear is, "if we do go bust", it won't affect your ability to get your gear serviced in the future!
Don't risk your investment, only deal with companies that have backup from importers!
We are seeing many horror stories about this, so we felt compelled to put a warning up for people shopping around for Scuba Equipment.
Scuba gear is "life support equipment".
A Regulator requires new parts from time to time throughout it's life, to safely deliver air without freeflowing. We sell both equipment that is covered by a "Lifetime Free Parts Service Contract" and gear that you have to pay for parts when required.
Both options have their place, but what you need to be careful of, is equipment that is not protected by a Wholesaler. Wholesalers sell to many stores throughout the country, and they bring in parts for all models they sell. This means you will always be able to go down the road and get your gear serviced. A very important fact that most people shopping for gear don't consider!
Buying equipment like this isn't like getting a cellphone cheap! If a brand of Scuba Equipment is imported by a shop, there is a high probablility that if that shop changes their mind, and stops bringing in that brand/model of Regulator, they won't bring in parts either!
That means you are stuck with a Regulator, that when it needs parts, (and it will sometime down the track) you won't be able to stop it freeflowing!
Without any of these parts, all you can do is buy a new regulator!
Give yourself some peace of mind, and buy equipment that is going to give you many, many years of service, instead of risking having to buy another one in just a few years!
NZ's best Dive Cylinders!
Have peace of mind, buy your gear from NZ's most trusted Dive store, Dive Centre Ltd!
All of our Dive cylinders come with a "DIN Convertable" valve (included in the price) that can be filled to max. 225 Bar as an "open face" valve, but they can be filled to a higher pressure if you remove an insert and convert it to DIN. (You also have to convert your Regulator to DIN to use this valve configuration).
All valves are stamped with your initials and cylinders come filled with neat sweet dry filtered Dive Centre Air! (Unless couriered to you directly, as they have to be empty).
Advice
Steel vs Aluminium is a question we're asked all the time. And it's a good one! There is no short answer and it is really dependant on several factors.
1. Price - Usually there is quite a difference between Steel and Alluminium cylinders; this has been fixed by our current pricing as there is now very little difference, although at some other shops it is still significant.
2. The amount of air you actually need - The most popular steel cylinders are the big ones! The 15 litre holds around 30% more air, and is slightly shorter than the big aluminium. Both 12 litre models hold 10% more air but are also 10% lighter and the "Dumpy" version is only 2/3 height of the big aluminium! This is a big advantage carrying and storing this size cylinder, but best of all, it is so much easier to sit down while wearing your gear!
3. Air Consumption - If you are breathing through your cylinder faster than the buddies you are diving with, then the bigger steel cylinders are a great way to even up the game! If you go through your air at the same speed or slower than your buddies, it is a waste of time having more air, as you'll have to come up when your buddy does anyway! Stick with the same size cylinder that they use.
4. Warranty - You get a 15 year warranty from date of manufacture with Luxfer Aluminium cylinders, you only get a 5 year warranty from Faber.
5. Buoyancy - All cylinders get more buoyant as they empty, however there is a difference between steel and aluminium. Aluminium will become positively buoyant when low on air, steel cylinders are still slightly negatively buoyant when low on air. This means with steel, you don't have to wear extra lead to counteract that buoyancy at the end of the dive, and a lighter weightbelt is a good thing!
6. Corrosion - Faber steel cylinders are Zinc coated on the inside and under the paintwork on the outside, to try and stop rust, but scratches and Hydrostatic test marks will rust eventually. And if you get a fill with to much moisture or accidently "fully" empty your cylinder, it could start rusting inside! Not good!! (Ensure you only get fills from a reputable air source). Click here to see the "peace of mind" you get with Dive Centre Air! Aluminium cylinders don't rust, so from a maintainence issue, you don't have to repaint or rub down alluminium cylinders, and although it is recommended for aluminium, washing down steel cylinders after use is required! You can get a build up of aluminium oxide (white powder) inside aluminium cylinders from to much moisture in bad air, but this is easily fixed by us, and causes no real damage to your cylinder. A steel cylinder with rust inside has to be "rumbled", and this is expensive, takes time and has to be repeated usually every year!
As you can see, there is a bit to this decision. :-)
But once you own your own cylinders, going for a dive is so much more convenient, because there they are, sitting in your garage, full of air, and ready to go!
Luxfer Aluminium Cylinders
| Capacity |
Fill Pressure |
Weight Empty |
Weight Full |
Retail |
Our Price |
Comments |
| 11.5 litre / 95c.f. |
240 Bar / 3500psi |
16.1kg |
18.5kg |
$845 |
$499 |
The most popular alluminium option. 15 Year Warranty! |
| 11.1 litre / 80c.f. |
207 Bar / 3000psi |
15.2kg |
17.4kg |
$745 |
$479 |
Not as popular as above, because they are same physical size, but it holds 15% less air for basically the same price! |
| 7.9 litre / 65c.f. |
240 Bar / 3500psi |
12.2kg |
14.1kg |
$775 |
$469 |
This size only available in Catalina cylinder with 10 year warranty! Great compact cylinder for shallow dives. |
| 2.6 litre / 20c.f. |
216 Bar / 3130psi |
4.2kg |
4.7kg |
$585 |
$380 |
The standard pony bottle. |
Faber Brand New Steel Cylinders
| Capacity |
Fill Pressure |
Weight Empty |
Weight Full |
Retail |
Our Price |
Comments |
| 15 litre / 123c.f. |
232 Bar / 3365psi |
17.6kg |
21.98kg |
$799 |
$549 |
The big one! Heaps of air, slightly shorter than 11.5 L Aluminium, but fatter! 5 Year Warranty. |
| 12 litre / 105c.f. |
232 Bar / 3365psi |
14.3kg |
18.1kg |
$734 |
$499 |
Short Dumpy 12 L cylinder is only 2/3 the height of 11.5 L Aluminium. But holds 10% more air! Easy storage and carrying! 5 Year Warranty. |
| 12 litre / 105c.f. |
232 Bar / 3365psi |
14.1kg |
17.9kg |
$734 |
$499 |
Tall Slim 12 L cylinder is still slightly shorter than 11.5 L Aluminium. 5 Year Warranty. |
| 10 litre / 83c.f. |
232 Bar / 3365 psi |
12kg |
15.3kg |
$674 |
$479 |
Great for the lucky ones that don't use much air! 5 Year Warranty. |
It has come to our attention that certain shops, are telling potential customers that the steel cylinders they sell are "made in the same factory as Faber"!
These other cylinders are totally different to Faber and are made by Euro Cylinder Systems in Germany, not Faber in Italy!
Don't be fooled!
Choose FABER and Dive Centre, NZ's most trusted dive professionals.
All prices include GST, but prices, availability and details are subject to change without notice. Please call us on 09 444 7698 or email us now, to confirm availability and details.
AquaLung Equipment
Aqua Lung introduced the world to Scuba diving more than 60 years ago and is the worldwide leader in SCUBA diving equipment. Under brands such as Apeks, Aqua Lung or SeaQuest, they manufacture quality and high performance regulators, buoyancy compensators (BCD's), dive computers, masks, fins, snorkels, wetsuits and many more products to make your diving adventure safe and memorable.
More people buy Aqualung around the world than any other brand. However, no authorised dealer is allowed to sell it on-line.
AquaLung have a in-store sales policy meaning that sales of AquaLung product must be made in store by that authorised dealer to assure you the customer of professional support and product satisfaction.
When you purchase AquaLung products from an authorised dealer you are purchasing from trained professionals who are able to instruct you on the proper and safe use of that equipment. You will have the assurance of the Aqua-Lung manufacturer's warranty together with the "AquaLung" guarantee of customer satisfaction".
Peace of mind
Any Aqualung Regulator, BCD, and Alternate Air Source purchased from us, is also covered by the Aqualung "Lifetime Service Contract". This Service Contract is of huge benefit to you.
When you purchase through us, Aqualung will pay for all the parts required to rebuild your equipment to like it was out of the factory, every single year! You just pay the normal labour fee (the same Labour fee charged if you were paying for parts) and it is fully rebuilt, 1st stage, main 2nd stage, and alternate air source, plus your BCD inflator system, and all you do is pay the labour! This is great peace of mind for you, it means your equipment is perfect every time you pull it out of your bag.
We don't just change parts that need changing, we fully rebuild your equipment, to like it was out of the factory, every single year! And as long as you get it done each year, it will continue for as long as you own the equipment. That's right, it doesn't run out!
The one thing you have to do, is have your new equipment serviced one month either side of your purchase date each year. That's a two month period every year! The average cost of parts for a Reg is approx $130.00 per year, a BCD is around $45, and this is money worth saving! The Service Contract even transfers to Australia as well!
If "Non Aqualung Dealers" talk badly about this type of Service Contract, you can be assured it's because they can't offer you the same level of service and peace of mind. Scuba equipment is Life-Support Equipment. Buy once, Buy right, and you will never regret it.
We are proud to be New Zealand's top Aqualung Dealer, and one of the longest running Aqualung dealers in the world!
Suunto Computers
Suunto is the leading manufacturer of sports instruments for a variety of sports, including skiing, hiking, diving, sailing and golf. Their strategy is to focus on sports activities where advanced measurement technology, data processing, and specific algorithms can create significant benefits for active participants.
Suunto's mission is to be the world's most desired sports instrument brand.
Headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, Suunto has grown to be the world's leading manufacturer of diving instruments. Since the launch of the Suunto Vector in 1998, their wrist top computer category has steadily grown to be the most important product category today. They also provide a wide range of mechanical instruments - field compasses, precision instruments and marine compasses - these products have been the core of Suunto throughout their history. The success of the company is based on its high quality products and consistent dedication to research and development. The ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System is used in all operations.
Click here to see the comparison table for the different Suunto Computers.
We are proud to be New Zealand's top Suunto Dealer.
Oceanic Equipment
Oceanic's high performance instruments, regulators, buoyancy compensators, masks, fins, snorkels, thermal wear, and accessories are sold through more than 600 U.S. dive retailers, and worldwide through Oceanic's affiliate companies in New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Japan, England, Germany, and Italy to name a few. Oceanic has worked with NASA, the U.S. Navy, and others to research new technologies and incorporate them into recreational diving equipment.
Getting into your own Equipment
Our entire Staff at Dive Centre are committed to providing every customer with the very finest Dive Equipment, Dive Education, and Dive Experiences, all with unequaled personal service.
We are here to help you make informed decisions that enable you to attain your personal diving goals while meeting your personal financial needs. We have safe, high quality diving equipment in all price ranges. We guarantee our service, our equipment, and our prices. You can shop with confidence at Dive Centre.
We appreciate your support, loyalty and friendship, and we appreciate your business!
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