AL Axiom and Pro QD BCs

[Skeptic14]

My LDS is cycling some of their rental gear which gives me, a new diver, the opportunity to buy what I've been renting and have found fits me and I'm comfortable with.

The gear looks well taken care of, no obvious wear, but is there anything in particular I should examine on the BC before purchasing? They are asking what appears to be about half the original price, which seems pretty good for well maintained gear, any tips on inspecting the BCs is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Tbar]

Inspect all the seams and any wear areas. Check the webbing for cuts and all be clips/rings for damage.

I assume it has a cummerbund with Velcro, what is the state of the Velcro? Does it have elastic? if so what is the state?

Connect to a low pressure feed and use the inflator to fully inflate until the OPV(s) release gas.

Leave fully inflated for some hours and check it is still fully inflated.

Let some air out and put some freshwater in. Drain the water and inspect is it clean? Does it smell?

Does it include integrated weights? If so are the weight pockets with it? Do they match? Are they the correct pockets?

When was it serviced, inflator and OPV(s)?

As far as price, I have bought all my BCDs second-hand that's about 10 in the last 3 years. Typically I have paid 1/4 to 1/3 of new price for near perfect devices that have very little use. Some have been a lot lower say $150 for a Ladyhawk retailing for over $700 (AUD). 1/2 price it would wont to be perfect and preferably come with short warranty period.

I did buy a QD Pro for my son but he found it a bit 'bulky' he now has a Scubapro Knighthawk as do I. I got the QD pro in new condition for $AU175 and that included a new Mares mask. I sold if for about the same and kept the mask

 

[tbone1004]

personally I wouldn't buy them regardless of how cheap they are, but if you like them and are happy with them, then half off is about what the LDS paid for them anyway, so they're still making quite a bit of money on them since they were rented. Nothing to really look for except wear from the chlorine and other nonsense rental gear is subjected to

 

[Skeptic14]

Tbar, thanks for all the inspection tips.

As far as price, I have bought all my BCDs second-hand that's about 10 in the last 3 years. Typically I have paid 1/4 to 1/3 of new price for near perfect devices that have very little use. Some have been a lot lower say $150 for a Ladyhawk retailing for over $700 (AUD). 1/2 price it would wont to be perfect and preferably come with short warranty period.

The LDS offers a 30 day warranty on any of the used rental gear you buy, I'll keep that pricing in mind.

personally I wouldn't buy them regardless of how cheap they are, but if you like them and are happy with them, then half off is about what the LDS paid for them anyway, so they're still making quite a bit of money on them since they were rented. Nothing to really look for except wear from the chlorine and other nonsense rental gear is subjected to

Just personal preference for new over used gear or don't particularly like the axiom?

 

[tbone1004]

I don't like jackets in general, they're horribly overpriced with lots of things you don't need. My one word of caution would be to look at your end diving goal and work backwards from there. Look at the gear required for the type of diving you want to do, not what you are currently doing, and purchase based on that. There are lighter BC's out there for travel, there are more durable bc's out there if you are hard on your gear, there are other types of BC's out there that are more versatile for certain types of diving and required for others. etc etc.

 

[Skeptic14]

I don't like jackets in general, they're horribly overpriced with lots of things you don't need. My one word of caution would be to look at your end diving goal and work backwards from there. Look at the gear required for the type of diving you want to do, not what you are currently doing, and purchase based on that. There are lighter BC's out there for travel, there are more durable bc's out there if you are hard on your gear, there are other types of BC's out there that are more versatile for certain types of diving and required for others. etc etc.

Thanks for the input, I suspect though that it's just way to early (15 dives) for me to have a good idea of my diving end game.

Good point on traveling with it, the axiom is 7.8 lbs whereas the cressi travelight is around 6 and might be less bulky too... something for me to keep in mind.

I suspect by the time I "out grow" my first gear it will have paid for itself in savings from rental fees.

 

[tbone1004]

it's not too early. What interests you? Deep wrecks? Ice? Caves? Sidemount? Reefs? travelling to exotic places? No reason to "out grow" gear when you can purchase what you need for any of those activities now and save the money later by not having to replace it.

 

[Neilwood]

it's not too early. What interests you? Deep wrecks? Ice? Caves? Sidemount? Reefs? travelling to exotic places? No reason to "out grow" gear when you can purchase what you need for any of those activities now and save the money later by not having to replace it.

I would agree - even though I am sticking to OW, I made the decision early on that BP&W was the route for me after I saw how unencumbered someone looks in it compared to jacket type. Hence I now have the BP&W despite only having 8 dives to my name. Add to that if I do decide to go tech in any form, I am better equipped.

 

[Skeptic14]

What interests me so far is being underwater... although I am pretty confident I'll never pursue cold water (dry suit), tech diving or cave diving.

If some people are able to enjoy the hobby of diving over many years and never have to upgrade/replace gear good for them, but my history with hobbies indicates that's unrealistic.

I like the jacket style, the axiom specifically has worked well, I definitely expect dive travel so keeping bulk/weight in mind was a good tip.

 

[tbone1004]

if you plan on flying, something like the Deep Sea Supply Kydex plate is about as good as it gets for travel for what amounts to essentially zero bulk, and very little weight. Where in Florida are you? I would highly recommend getting in a pool with a properly fitted BP/W before you commit to anything.

Doesn't get any cleaner than that...