Gdon
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sndt1319, I Sent you a PM.. your account does not allow e-mail
Good Regs to watch for on Ebay
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bigredbill
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You can get some absolute screaming deals on Ebay if you know what you are getting. I was able to pick up a never-dove Seaquest XR2, which was the same model as Aqualung's top model when it was being manufactured a few years ago, for $55, and that included shipping. I just greased up the 1st stage a bit, flipped the puck on the dogbone, and away she went. Fantastic deal, and I have a great backup to my backup now. (Too many regs!!!) If you find what you want, work with a diveshop that understands your situation and you can usually get a great reg in divable shape for very little money.
I would second the caution against used Dacor regs. Parts are no longer available for any of the first stages with a number in the name (600, 900, 960, etc) and problem is beginning to extend to older regs with names.
You can still get adaptors for older regs with 7/16" HP ports so that is not much of a problem but only having 3 LP ports is an issue and neither of the potential solutions are ideal. I agree with Rich that an older first stage like a conshelf XII is better used as an argon reg. You can dial the IP down as low as 10psi, so they also make excellent regs for other non scuba tasks like air brushing.
The important things to remember when buying any reg off e-bay:
1) know exactly what you are getting in terms of the brand and model of the reg. Be sure you can get the reg serviced before you bid in case you actually win the auction.
2) Assume that the reg will need a thorough annual service, even if it is new, and bid accordingly.
3) Be very familiar with both the MSRP and the current selling price of a new reg through on-line retailers like leisure pro. A lot of regs on e-bay sell for more than you could by them from LP particularly as the shipping costs are often inflated by some e-bay sellers. Always check with local dive shops for proper pricing of a used reg first and always check the shipping costs before you bid.
4) Pass on any reg that does not have clear and detailed pictures and does not clearly state things like "no corrosion", etc.
5) Alternatively, if the bids are low you can bid and take your chances on either getting a super deal or ending up with a collection of spare parts and scrap brass. Bid like you are getting the latter.
You can still get adaptors for older regs with 7/16" HP ports so that is not much of a problem but only having 3 LP ports is an issue and neither of the potential solutions are ideal. I agree with Rich that an older first stage like a conshelf XII is better used as an argon reg. You can dial the IP down as low as 10psi, so they also make excellent regs for other non scuba tasks like air brushing.
The important things to remember when buying any reg off e-bay:
1) know exactly what you are getting in terms of the brand and model of the reg. Be sure you can get the reg serviced before you bid in case you actually win the auction.
2) Assume that the reg will need a thorough annual service, even if it is new, and bid accordingly.
3) Be very familiar with both the MSRP and the current selling price of a new reg through on-line retailers like leisure pro. A lot of regs on e-bay sell for more than you could by them from LP particularly as the shipping costs are often inflated by some e-bay sellers. Always check with local dive shops for proper pricing of a used reg first and always check the shipping costs before you bid.
4) Pass on any reg that does not have clear and detailed pictures and does not clearly state things like "no corrosion", etc.
5) Alternatively, if the bids are low you can bid and take your chances on either getting a super deal or ending up with a collection of spare parts and scrap brass. Bid like you are getting the latter.
Regulators are life support in an environment that is not conducive to survival. Why would you want a cheep life support system. Why would you want to risk throwing away $150 that, to me, sounds like you really can't afford to just throw away.
A regualtor should be an investment. If you buy cheep and only get two or three years from your investment what have you received for your money?
My suggestions: Skip E-bay. Keep renting regs until you can save enough money to buy a good quality reg. Work out a deal with your LDS. You pick out a rig. You "rent it out" every time you want to go diving. The rental counts as an advance towards the cost. The shop holds the reg until it is paid off. Work out a time frame to pay it off.
Best wishes,
TwoBit
A regualtor should be an investment. If you buy cheep and only get two or three years from your investment what have you received for your money?
My suggestions: Skip E-bay. Keep renting regs until you can save enough money to buy a good quality reg. Work out a deal with your LDS. You pick out a rig. You "rent it out" every time you want to go diving. The rental counts as an advance towards the cost. The shop holds the reg until it is paid off. Work out a time frame to pay it off.
Best wishes,
TwoBit
Randy43068
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Hi,
A couple of years ago I bought a used Conshelf regulator set from someone on ebay for about a hundred dollars... maybe it was $120, can't remember. It cost me $160 to have the entire setup checked and re-built at the LDS. It's an older model I know, but dont think I could have purchased a new setup like it locally for the same money. It came with bottom timer ( old Parkway computer ) the octo, first stage, second stage, and a dive-alert whistle. It seems like a solid performer for me.
Having said that, you really can get a super deal from LeisurePro on a regulator set, or kit. Despite what you hear about LP offering no warranty, they are a retailer and offer the same warranty on new regs as your LDS does. I just got a Sherwood regulator "kit" for a terrific price, including the warranty including two annual inspections.
As previously said about ebay, there are some horrible prices and products, then there some super deals. Check for recalls and other info on the web before you buy dive equipment on ebay.
Personally, I'd rather get all of my dive equipment from the LDS, but the shop I prefer doesn't carry everything so I get some things online. I always have mixed feelings about loyalty when I buy new gear. Do I spend more money locally, or do I pocket the difference and get it online from LP or one of the other online biggies?? I spread my money around, I guess.
Randy
A couple of years ago I bought a used Conshelf regulator set from someone on ebay for about a hundred dollars... maybe it was $120, can't remember. It cost me $160 to have the entire setup checked and re-built at the LDS. It's an older model I know, but dont think I could have purchased a new setup like it locally for the same money. It came with bottom timer ( old Parkway computer ) the octo, first stage, second stage, and a dive-alert whistle. It seems like a solid performer for me.
Having said that, you really can get a super deal from LeisurePro on a regulator set, or kit. Despite what you hear about LP offering no warranty, they are a retailer and offer the same warranty on new regs as your LDS does. I just got a Sherwood regulator "kit" for a terrific price, including the warranty including two annual inspections.
As previously said about ebay, there are some horrible prices and products, then there some super deals. Check for recalls and other info on the web before you buy dive equipment on ebay.
Personally, I'd rather get all of my dive equipment from the LDS, but the shop I prefer doesn't carry everything so I get some things online. I always have mixed feelings about loyalty when I buy new gear. Do I spend more money locally, or do I pocket the difference and get it online from LP or one of the other online biggies?? I spread my money around, I guess.
Randy
O2BBubbleFree
Contributor
Please pardon the divergence, but this arguement always makes the short hairs stand up...
Price paid has nothing to do with quality. Quality-wise, a BrandX, ModelY reg. is going to be the same piece of equipment no matter if you buy it from your LDS, online, or secone-hand.
Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of arguements for and against buying from your LDS (see other threads), and there are many considerations when buying used, (see other threads) but quality is determined by the manufacturer, not the seller.
IMHO, do as much research and testing as you can, decide on the equipment you want, then get the best value you can. And by 'value' I mean price, service, warrantee,... Weighing each of those factors as to what's important to you.
Oh, and don't do all your shopping and trials at the LDS, then buy from a discounter. That's just unethical.
Stepping down now...
Price paid has nothing to do with quality. Quality-wise, a BrandX, ModelY reg. is going to be the same piece of equipment no matter if you buy it from your LDS, online, or secone-hand.
Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of arguements for and against buying from your LDS (see other threads), and there are many considerations when buying used, (see other threads) but quality is determined by the manufacturer, not the seller.
IMHO, do as much research and testing as you can, decide on the equipment you want, then get the best value you can. And by 'value' I mean price, service, warrantee,... Weighing each of those factors as to what's important to you.
Oh, and don't do all your shopping and trials at the LDS, then buy from a discounter. That's just unethical.
Stepping down now...
FreeFloat
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I would recommend what TwoBitTxn said:
One of the LDSs around here offers that sort of thing - although, like any Rent To Own plan, it ends up being a little more costly in the long run, if you're already renting it's a good mid-way solution.
My personal solution was to hit the LDS for ex-rental regs as soon as they upgraded their rental department with new regs. I got my 1st and two 2nds for $300 Cdn or thereabouts, if memory serves. I saved a bit of money by insisting I didn't need gagues or SPG (I already owned them) and offering to supply my own hoses (I wanted long hoses). The shop owner let me "test dive" the reg set for a weekend so I could decide, then when I said I liked them he insisted on servicing them before I took them.
Your LDS can be your friend...............
TwoBitTxn:
One of the LDSs around here offers that sort of thing - although, like any Rent To Own plan, it ends up being a little more costly in the long run, if you're already renting it's a good mid-way solution.
My personal solution was to hit the LDS for ex-rental regs as soon as they upgraded their rental department with new regs. I got my 1st and two 2nds for $300 Cdn or thereabouts, if memory serves. I saved a bit of money by insisting I didn't need gagues or SPG (I already owned them) and offering to supply my own hoses (I wanted long hoses). The shop owner let me "test dive" the reg set for a weekend so I could decide, then when I said I liked them he insisted on servicing them before I took them.
Your LDS can be your friend...............
3dent:
I don't agree with you. If you trust them, check the ratings from Scubalab on cheep regs. It isn't uncommon that the cheep regs are just that.
A Brand x model y reg that is dreged through the sand, been diving in someone's stock tank, and annualed once per 5 years then cleaned up to sell on E-bay isn't the same as the same reg that is fastidiously maintained every year for its lifetime.
I see many people say they bought a system for about $150 on ebay then spend about the same to have it rebuilt. That's $300 for a used system. You can spend another $100 and get a brand new one. The new system will likely last longer before it needs to be replaced. The overall return on investment is better.
At initial purchase, I agree. The seller has alot to do with the quality of the equipment when buying used.
TwoBit
outlawaggie
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SueMermaid:
Why?? They are highly rated by a lot of people/publications. If you are going to make a blanket statement like that support it.
outlawaggie
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sndt1319:
I'd call Larry at ScubaToys. I'll bet he can work something out for you.
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