Buying a used reg

[Double Diver]

I agree with LeadTurn. And the typical parts cost for a rebuild kit is $35-$45 from a LDS plus labor at another 45 bucks minimum, so what ever you buy add $90+ to make it right. And by the way they won't sell you the parts to DIY. Another option would be to find a LDS that sells used gear, then you can get the best of both worlds.

 

[Packhorse]

If buying second hand then get the best reg you can find/ afford.
By that I mean its much better to buy a really good set of regs second hand for $400 than to buy an average set of new regs for $400.
But then you dont even have to spend that much.
There are plenty of good G250/MK10s on ebay. Very few new regs will breath better ( if any) and all serviceable parts are still available and will be for some time ( I hope).

 

[oly5050user]

If you buy used (even new from an unknown source) you'll need to service it anyway so the warranty is not an issue. After serviced, your warranty is reinstated and just keep it up every year after. A professional dive shop will service your regs no matter where you get it. You'll have to pay for the parts.

Not true at all. Warranty is only for the original owner.Must show proof of purchase receipt with your name on it.
Warranty of a lapsed regulator is reinstated only for original owner of Scubapro regulator.
Almost not worth buying a regulator used unless it is sold real cheap,as in only 25% of its original total cost..
Getting a used regulator serviced can run $120.-$150.Granted that can be on the high side,but expect it. You will pay for labor-parts and who knows maybe new hose or two.

 

[AquaNSun]

Thanks for the correction in my statements. My mistake.

I'm from the old days lucky to know a place or two who didn't care to check names and charged the usual rates. But that was just me and I know them.

 

[scubafanatic]

Even if the used reg is in pretty good shape, budget $ 125 ish for an 'annual', and that assumes there is nothing really wrong with it, just needs current service. Leisurepro and Scubatoys will likely give you the best prices, and Scubatoys sells 'demo' units for big discounts with their own warranty, as you're not gonna get a manufacturer's warranty on a used reg. I've bought both new regs and used regs off E-Bay, most of the E-Bay ones were 'new in box' overstock or discontinued models.....have bought a few very good condition used regs off E-Bay too. Even bought a very nice reg here on Scubaboard last fall. I've been lucky, ALL the regs were as advertised, although a few of my used Poseidons needed a little more 'work' done on them beyond 'annuals'. Ultimately 'used' is a crap shoot, so if you really can't afford to get burned, my first suggestion is Scubatoys/Leisurepro versus buying from a complete stranger on E-Bay.

 

[drdaddy]

I just posted some of this on another thread, but I don't mind repeating.

Buy used. My first reg set was bought used from my LDS. A good customer was moving out of town and they took it (uncharacteristically) on consignment. Over ten years later it's still my favorite reg.

Craigslist, and garage sales are great places, but you have to know what you are looking for and how much to pay. I have bought a 4 or 5 reg sets from Craigslist and a number from garage sales. Had them serviced and they are regs for my son, pony bottles, and backups. Just bought two pairs of Apollo Split Fins for $50 a set. Bought original BCDs new from LDS, but since then have bought used (like new) BCD from Craigslist. Also have bought 3 steel HP 3442 tanks from Craigslist, and 3 new from my LDS. Also bought 4 Al 80s from Craigslist, and 2 new from my LDS. I bought my original computer (which I still use as my primary) and a used one/backup from Craigslist.

You can get great deal on Craiglist buying from a old diver or someone who just had this stuff laying around - but alot of it is just junk that will cost you more to service it than it is worth. I used to buy from Ebay, but today I'd advise against Ebay, as it is full of charlatans who are buying stuff really cheap and then splitting it up and ripping off people. Now, "1 in the million" you might get a good deal, but mostly you're just wasting time.

Now that I've said the above, I'll tell you these two stories. One of my friends has a brother who decided to quit instructing. I went over to his house (I wished I'd gotten there 1 month earlier for his main reg set) and bought everything he had left - really nice stuff - everything from a float tube to all kinds of hardware and a really nice big heavy duty box. Another time, I saw in our local newspaper an ad and I decided to drive by the day before to be able to find the place since it was an odd address (I hate and do not do "early turd birding"). I saw an older couple struggling to put together raft and could see that they had mis-assembled something which would have made it impossible to put the rest of it together, so I got out and helped them. They were the nicest couple who had been diving their entire 40+ marriage. Afterwords, they invited me in the house and not only told me to buy whatever I want, they also showed me pictures of their dives around the World. I bought a number of Conshelfs that I dive with today (primary and backups), diveknives (including a pink one for my granddaughters - 5 months & 2 1/2 - I have to wait a while) - and not only that, we spent hours looking at underwater photos from around the World (no, I did not buy their Nikonos)!!!

 

[halocline]

Manufacturer warranties are not worth it in most cases. You're still paying labor charges for what is quite often an unnecessary annual servicing by a tech with no required qualifications. It ends up costing far more than simply buying a used reg, having it serviced (or in some cases, just checked out) by an expert, NOT a salesman, and then caring for it correctly. Inspect it regularly, and service it when it either starts to show some symptoms like a slight IP creep or vacuum leak, or after a number of dives that you feel comfortable with, maybe 100 dives. For most people that's a lot longer than a year.

 

[AquaNSun]

What Mattboy said is you can also have the tech do a 'bench test' on your regs to see if it's functioning according to specs. It's just a preliminary diagnosis test and cost around $15 or so. Manufacturer warranties has been a hot topic in this board if you search around as there are pros and cons. The annual free parts theory may not necessary save you money depending on your situation. An article that I read a while ago might be an interesting read. Personally, I'm the type if it's working fine, you don't need to service it annually, may be 2 years - that's provided you dive regularly and check your gear frequently. The bench test which is a good option for those who bought used gear.

Servicing Your Regulator; how to avoid those high costs - Undercurrent, September 2009

 

[redacted]

Having drifted into the topic of inspection in lieu of "annual service", I have taken to inspecting my newly acquired used regs from ebay and forgoing an "annual service" if all is well. Of course, it depends on the reg also. Typically, old Scubapro barrel poppet metal regs will need an updated poppet so might as well do the full annual service while you are there. But I have picked up some D-series regs where testing, inspection, and tuning were all that were needed for me to go ahead and dive them. With Scubapro balanced piston 1st stages, I basically do the same thing but also disassemble, clean them (they usually have deposits or silicon in the ambient chamber), but may only replace the piston o-rings if everything looks and works OK. If you leave the good HP seat undisturbed in the seat retainer, it will tend to return to the same cut groove and not create any IP creep problem. Once you remove that seat, it will tend to start cutting a new, overlapping groove and lockup will get a little sloppy.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Having drifted into the topic of inspection in lieu of "annual service", I have taken to inspecting my newly acquired used regs from ebay and forgoing an "annual service" if all is well...

1+

The very 1st reg I bought on ebay was a beat-up "practice" reg (for me to practice rebuilding). It didn't need to be rebuilt, but I needed the practice, so it got a rebuild It is now my pony / stage reg, and is a terrific reg for that purpose (Mares MR-12 Voltrex).

Now, I test and inspect used regs carefully, but if the reg tests "ok" and all looks good, I tune it and dive it until service is needed.... same with the regs I've bought new.

Best wishes.