Should you rent or bring your own scuba diving equipment on vacation?
Are you just going to one place? If you are going to multiple destinations you might think about renting your gear so you don’t have to drag it around.
Are you flying on small domestic airlines? If you are headed to Cozumel, you’ll fly in on a large jet with plenty of space and likely 50lb limits, but if you are flying to an out island of a small country, you will find luggage restrictions that inhibit the amount of gear you take. One trip to Cayman Brac, it took us several days to get our luggage home….there simply was no space on the plane!
Is the equipment reliable at your scuba vacation destination? Remember, many remote destinations do not have easy access to gear parts (think about how many neck and valve o-rings you see leaking on tanks in many resorts). If you are concerned but have space limitations take your most important dive equipment: regulator and computer and mask and rent the BCD and fins which are the most bulky anyways.
When was your equipment last serviced? Gear can be known to be finicky after it’s been serviced. If you have your gear serviced before you go, TEST IT. Go to a local dive shop with a pool or find a pool somewhere, get in and use the gear. Otherwise, you will pay to have it serviced, then be mad when it breaks and then have to pay again to rent gear on location! Also remember to check battery levels on your computer!
What is your comfort level with your equipment. Most people are most comfortable with their own gear. If this is the case, then take it by all means. Especially if you are an occasional diver, you’ll want the comfort and fit of your own equipment, you know where all the buttons are and know where to reach to grab something you need on your BCD.