Buying Used Regs

[Nereus]

I've been researching used regulators and have seen all makes, models and conditions. One thing I've noticed on a few regulators, first and second stage, is that they are all scratched up. What would cause all of the scratches on the regulators? Is this a sign of poor care, or normal wear and tear.

 

[GinoB]

It's normal for used regulators to show some slight scratches and minor wear, and such cosmetic imperfections will have no impact on performance. But if gear looks like it's in really rough condition, it may be a sign that the owner has been less than meticulous in its care. But then again, the outward appearance may still have no bearing on its functionality.

Bottom line, how the gear looks is more of a personal preference. If you have it serviced and it's pronounced good to go, that's all that really matters.

Sent from my Galaxy S II using Tapatalk

 

[spiney diver]

Buying used regulators, computers and BC's can be very risky. They are life support so ask yourself if your life is worth more than trying to save a couple hundred dollars on unknown gear. The scratches are normal on regs from just putting them in and out of gear bags but better find a good service tech to go through it before use, so better add that to the price of buying used gear. Some stuff buying used can make sense like knifes and accessories but not life support in my opinion.

 

[GinoB]

IMHO, there's nothing magic about new vs. used. If you buy new regs this year, they are "used" come next season. But the point about having used gear serviced is spot on. Even if the previous owner says they were recently serviced, I'm still having them overhauled before I dive them.

Sent from my Galaxy S II using Tapatalk

 

[supergaijin]

Buy a used reg over the internet with as much care as you'd buy a used car.... over the internet.

I would advise the vast majority of divers to buy a new reg. Given the selling prices of some of the second hand ones I've seen on ebay- they aren't much of a deal at all. Factor in the obligatory overhaul costs, parts and labour. If you can do it yourself, you can save some money, but then you need to know what to do and how to source the parts.

Pretty much any reg can be brought back 'from the brink' but the extra parts involved may make it an expensive exercise or labour of love akin to restoring a vintage car.

One good use for old cheap regs is the opportunity to use them for training yourself to rebuild them.

 

[Thalassamania]

Buying used regulators, computers and BC's can be very risky. They are life support so ask yourself if your life is worth more than trying to save a couple hundred dollars on unknown gear. The scratches are normal on regs from just putting them in and out of gear bags but better find a good service tech to go through it before use, so better add that to the price of buying used gear. Somne stuff buying used can make sense like knifes and accessories but not life support in my opinion.

You've not been here on ScubaBoard for long, so I'd recommend you do a search on the
term "life support" to get a feel for the general view toward that argument.

Buy a used reg over the internet with as much care as you'd buy a used car.... over the internet.

I would advise the vast majority of divers to buy a new reg. Given the selling prices of some of the second hand ones I've seen on ebay- they aren't much of a deal at all. Factor in the obligatory overhaul costs, parts and labour. If you can do it yourself, you can save some money, but then you need to know what to do and how to source the parts.

Pretty much any reg can be brought back 'from the brink' but the extra parts involved may make it an expensive exercise or labour of love akin to restoring a vintage car.

One good use for old cheap regs is the opportunity to use them for training yourself to rebuild them.

I''d assume you've worked on lots of regs, so I must assume that you've not restored many vintage cars.

 

[herman]

Welcome to the board.
First off, anytime you get the "it's life support, never buy used it's your life" speach, move on, it's a lot of noise. EVERY reg is "used" after it's first dive. I have 50 yo (yes 50 yo) regs I dive on a regular basis and they are as dependable as any new reg on the market...more so actually, age or use has nothing to do with safety or reliability.
You can get some great deals on used gear or you can get some dogs, the big problem is determining which is which. First off, pick a major brand, esp if you are looking at older regs. Exterior nicks and dings are normal but green corrosion around the hoses and filter are signs of lack of maintenance. Those regs can usually be restored but the cost will be higher. Besides brand, the cost is a big factor in determining if a used reg is a good deal. Plan on spending at least $120 on servicing the reg after your initial purchase price and it could go higher if you need hoses (another $120 or so for a full set). A used reg that you spent $400 or more on just got near the cost of a new reg, might as well buy a new one. On the other hand, a $25 Conshelf or MK-5 with $250 worth of repair is still a good deal.

Aqualung and Scubapro are your best bets, most of their regs from the last 30 year or so you can still get parts for. Some brands like Dacor were good regs in their day but parts and service are all but impossible to get today. I would suggest you avoid on line (ebay) used reg buys, that is for the experienced gambler who knows what he is looking at. A lot of the time they go for a lot more than a reasonable price and "it was just serviced" can range from true to total BS, you have no way of knowing. Find one locally you can get your hands on before putting out the cash. If it looks good, the hoses are in good shape (no cracks or splits) and you can get it at the right price it can be a good deal.

 

[redacted]

Buying used regulators, computers and BC's can be very risky. They are life support so ask yourself if your life is worth more than trying to save a couple hundred dollars on unknown gear. The scratches are normal on regs from just putting them in and out of gear bags but better find a good service tech to go through it before use, so better add that to the price of buying used gear. Some stuff buying used can make sense like knifes and accessories but not life support in my opinion.

Besides ending up with something that just goes into the spare parts bin; what is it, exactly, that can go wrong with a used regulator, computer, or BCD that can not happen to your newly bought gear 3 or 4 years down the road?

 

[supergaijin]

Well methinks the OP wants to get a cheap deal somewhere. Cheap deals are to be found, but just 'kicking the tires' doesn't tell you much about a reg and how much it'll cost in the long run.

So many car analogies and I've only ever owned one. A '72 Austin 1300.

 

[GinoB]

There's nothing wrong with being on a budget, looking to save some money, and considering used gear. Likewise, there's nothing wrong about being a dive shop owner/operator and giving advice like "new gear is best". Deciding which way to go is a very personal choice.

But if it helps you in your decision, here's my story. After a long hiatus from diving, I recently re-equipped myself as follows:

Purchased (Craigslist):
2) Scubapro Mk10 + G250 regulator sets
2) Oceanic ProPlus computers
Total: $400

Sold:
1) Scubapro Mk10 + G250 regulator set ($129 eBay)
2) Oceanic ProPlus computers ($264, $180 eBay)
Received: $573

Purchased:
Scubapro R190 Octo ($57 eBay)
New braided hoses ($46 Dive Gear Express)
SPG + hose ($101 Dive Gear Express)
Service for regulators ($90 Scubatoys)
Total: $294

Net cost: $121

It just goes to show that great deals are out there to be had, but it can take some patience, effort, and time to put one together. For my part, I am very happy diving my $121 freshly serviced Scubapro Mk10 + G250 + SPG setup with new hoses, and I don't feel that I've made any compromises as far as performance and safety are concerned.

Hope this helps...good luck!