Buying Used Gear?

[katiegw]

My husband and I will complete our OW dives in a couple of weeks. I wasn't planning on buying gear right away, but have definitely been bit by the diving bug and have just been browsing Craigslist periodically to see what type of used gear is available. As a woman, it seems like most of the used gear available is in Men's sizing, and that there's not a lot in my size range.

Then, I came across this posting. This woman sounds like she's exactly my size (even down to the shoe size!), and the pricing for this package sounds too good to be true. So, what do you think? Is it? What things should I ask for? I'd like to have gear that is suitable for (summer) cold water diving here in Michigan, but that could also be used for vacation diving in tropical locations. I realize a jacket style BCD is not idea for packing, but this deal seems so good!

Women's scuba gear bought new and used only a few times, all items are in excellent condition. The outfit was bought for diving in Michigan waters and worked well to keep me warm. The dive computer was purchased used, it works well.
Size 8 full body wetsuit by Henderson. Titanium hyperstretch 7/5 mm
BCD (Buoyancy control device) Seaquest DIVA XLT.
First stage regulator is a Mares, primary second stage is a Mares AKROS, alternate second stage is a Mares Proton.
Oceanic DataMax Pro Dive computer (air integrated) with compass and new batteries.
Hood -- Hyperstretch Titanium 7/5 mm- size medium.
Gloves -- Hyperstretch titanium 7/5 mm. Size XS.
Boots -- Mares Size 6 (I wear a women's size 8 shoe)
Fins -- Mares Avantiquattro. Size small.
Includes equipment bag by AquaLung to carry everything.

$250

 

[redacted]

My husband and I will complete our OW dives in a couple of weeks. I wasn't planning on buying gear right away, but have definitely been bit by the diving bug and have just been browsing Craigslist periodically to see what type of used gear is available. As a woman, it seems like most of the used gear available is in Men's sizing, and that there's not a lot in my size range.

Then, I came across this posting. This woman sounds like she's exactly my size (even down to the shoe size!), and the pricing for this package sounds too good to be true. So, what do you think? Is it? What things should I ask for? I'd like to have gear that is suitable for (summer) cold water diving here in Michigan, but that could also be used for vacation diving in tropical locations. I realize a jacket style BCD is not idea for packing, but this deal seems so good!

Women's scuba gear bought new and used only a few times, all items are in excellent condition. The outfit was bought for diving in Michigan waters and worked well to keep me warm. The dive computer was purchased used, it works well.
Size 8 full body wetsuit by Henderson. Titanium hyperstretch 7/5 mm
BCD (Buoyancy control device) Seaquest DIVA XLT.
First stage regulator is a Mares, primary second stage is a Mares AKROS, alternate second stage is a Mares Proton.
Oceanic DataMax Pro Dive computer (air integrated) with compass and new batteries.
Hood -- Hyperstretch Titanium 7/5 mm- size medium.
Gloves -- Hyperstretch titanium 7/5 mm. Size XS.
Boots -- Mares Size 6 (I wear a women's size 8 shoe)
Fins -- Mares Avantiquattro. Size small.
Includes equipment bag by AquaLung to carry everything.

$250

That looks like a great buy. Throw any random half of it away and you still have at least a $250 value. I'd check the condition of the reg and BCD and then buy it.

 

[spoolin01]

I'd say that's one heck of a deal and if I was in your fins, I'd jump on it pronto. That strikes me as an astoundingly low price for that amount and quality of gear if it's truly as-new, even if it's somewhat dated.

Most of what you want to know you can tell by just inspection. Take the time to look at each piece from every angle. If the gear looks new, there's not much that could be hiding, and at that price you could afford some deferred maintenance. The most difficult things to tell by simple inspection are probably whether the BC leaks and whether there's any issue with the regulators. Regulator issues are likely to be repairable without great expense. I don't know that model of BC, but a leak in a BC can be easy to fix, or not, depending on construction and location of the leak. Computer problems that are subtle are not going to be easy to discern without actual use.

If they have a tank available, a functional test of the regulators, inflator, computer, and BC air chamber would be helpful. In fact, rent one to take to the inspection if needed.

Gear that looks new is usually just that. Especially in a total package like this, I'd say the odds that they are hiding some severe flaw in one of the otherwise excellent condition pieces should be very low. I typically buy everything but the exposure protection used, and have had the best of luck with the gear I've gotten.

If budget is a consideration, this seems like a great start to careful shopping for your kit. Whatever you eventually decide doesn't suit your needs or preferences, can be resold at profit to defray the cost of the items you keep, if you like.

 

[tbone1004]

everything but the BC looks great for first gear, dive the BC or sell it for $50 and you're still well ahead of the game.... Can figure out a BP/W for travel later down the road, but $250 for the regs/exposure protection is a good deal on its own.

 

[oldschoolto]

Buy it... You really can't go wrong.. And , My wife and I travel with our jacket bc's... Just need to know how to pack...

Jim...

 

[DogDiver]

Never buy primary life support equipment from Craigslist. Not unless you are qualified to inspect and repair it yourself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---------- Post added June 8th, 2015 at 12:49 PM ----------

If the price sounds too good to be true. It usually is. Beware.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lorenzoid]

Keep in mind you will need to have the regulator set serviced at a dive shop, but that's something most of us do--as often as annually or biannually--so it is to be expected. Might cost $100 or so. Assuming there is no severe damage, it should come back from service practically as good as new.

 

[tbone1004]

Never buy primary life support equipment from Craigslist. Not unless you are qualified to inspect and repair it yourself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---------- Post added June 8th, 2015 at 12:49 PM ----------

If the price sounds too good to be true. It usually is. Beware.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Really? Come on.... BC, do a positive pressure check and ask if you can put it in a bathtub or rubbermaid to check for leaks.

Regs, if they'll let you pressurize it that's great, but very little can be done to a reg to make it to the point that a regular annual service won't fix it.

 

[Frosty]

OP what you are buying is the calculated remaining lifespan on the equipment.
So Option 1-the seller is telling the truth and has properly washed the gear between dives etc.
In that case hey its a stunning deal.
Alternately its half worn out with goop patches all over the wetsuit (repairs)
it still seems like a reasonable deal.
I would be getting the regs serviced anyways so they will be up to scratch.

 

[oldschoolto]

Dogdiver ... Really.... You can't really mean that... Regulators are about as simple as it gets.. BC, Does it hold air.... If it looks new and well taken care of.. It'll be serviceable.... I bought 35+ yr old conshelf xiv's new old stock and have 200+ dives on it without putting a thing in it but a new mouth piece and a cleaning/look see... Did total overhaul on the wives conshelf and can't tell the difference.

Jim...