Buying a used computer

[jwsh]

I'm about to finally purchase my own gear (Reg, BC, Wetsuit, etc..) I'd really like to get an Air Integrated computer, but I'm not sure I can really justify the cost of one. While I was in my dive shop today, one of the guys was selling his used dive computer for $400. It's a Escort Retractor with Hose Mount Compass and Escort Receiver. The guy says it's in great condition, and he's never had a problem with it, and the reason he's giving it up is because they don't sell them anymore and they try to only wear equiptment which they sell (so they're familiar with the stuff they do sell enough to be able to reccomend stuff).

So my quesiton to you guys is, is it a fair price, what problems am I likely to experience with a used computer, is this a decent computer, worth getting? anything else I should know?

 

[Mario S Caner]

I generally try to shy away from purchasing used gear. I've actually owned an Escort before, and I too never had a problem with it. One of it's many modes is a history mode that is unearasable, you might want to take a look at it, and see how 'used' it is. Have them give you a new set of batteries as well, which are user replaceable. I sold mine to a friend of mine for $250, because he wanted it sooo bad, and I picked up a new computer, just to try something else out. Since I pick up new gear every 6-9 months, I've tried a buch of gear out, and can honestly say the Escort is a nice unit. Try to bargain some more, perhaps they'll give you a better price.

 

[Maggie]

Mario

What does "unearasable" mean?

 

[Mario S Caner]

Sorry about that Maggie, that was a mispelling on my part, I wasn't paying attention... what I meant to say was "inerasable" meaning that you as a user cannot erase the history of the computer by taking out the batteries.
Though you will lose anything you haven't downloaded that is dive specific. The data such as total accumulated dives, total dive time, max depth and any violations will remain on record. It can however be erased at the manufacturers end.

 

[DameDykker]

Go ahead

I bought my first BCD regulator set and computer used. The shop had used one year for classes and it didn't look to cool anymore. However, I've used the equipment now for 6 years and only two years ago changed out the BCD and last summer the computer. I still use the regulators and I never had any equipment problems. So if the shop will stake their reputation on the condition of the equipment and give a good price - go for it!

DSAO