herndon.bart
Registered
Hey all I'm a new diver and am trying to find a good used BC and some regs to purchase.
Hey all I'm a new diver and am trying to find a good used BC and some regs to purchase.
- Thread starter herndon.bart
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The Classifieds sub-forums here are pretty good. All kinds of deals appear frequently.
Best of luck and enjoy the hunt.
Best of luck and enjoy the hunt.
OP
herndon.bart
Registered
Thank both of you!
OTF
Coney Island Whitefish Biologist
In addition to the classifieds here, keep an eye on craigslist, fb marketplace, ebay, etc. Be patient and eventually great deals come up.
Watch the stuff on eBay and Craigslist. It can be really old junk that can’t be repaired. That’s all I see on my local Craigslist. Crap from the 80s.
If you’re wondering about something from eBay or CL, post about it here and the guys will help you determine if it’s a good buy or not.
If you’re wondering about something from eBay or CL, post about it here and the guys will help you determine if it’s a good buy or not.
Still Kicking
Contributor
Buying used gear can potentially lead to some great savings but more often that not it results in headaches and unforeseen expenses.
I have been diving for 30 years (recreationally and professionally) and I am still cautious about buying used gear. Too often you are buying someone else's problems.
With regulators, you really have to know what you are looking at and evaluate the age, condition and parts availability (not to mention the performance). You should figure at least $150 on top of the purchase price for a full overhaul (assuming parts are available and you can find a shop that will service it) and possibly much more if non service parts are damaged/missing. Computers that don't fire up are suspect .... it could just be a $15 battery but could also be flooded or a bad depth sensor (especially Suunto).
With BCs, it's a bit easier to judge condition -- you can inflate and make sure it holds air -- but there are other considerations. What style are you looking at -- back inflate or a jacket; cold water or warm water travel; backplate and wing? Each has pros and cons depending on the diving you will do. On some older weight integrated BCs, the weight systems were pretty unreliable - do you know what to look for? Do you know how to judge the fit of a BC? A poorly fitting BC results in frustration and wasted money.
I would recommend going to your local dive shop and seeing what they offer in your budget range. You will no doubt spend more upfront than with used gear but if you deal with a competent sales person, you have a much higher chance of long term satisfaction, not to mention a warranty and service support down the road (possibly free parts for life).
One clue to finding a competent sales person .... they should ask you about the kind of diving you do or plan to do before they steer you toward any specific products.
If they can't meet your budget, you are still free to look for used gear but you will have a better idea of the type of gear you should be looking for.
I have been diving for 30 years (recreationally and professionally) and I am still cautious about buying used gear. Too often you are buying someone else's problems.
With regulators, you really have to know what you are looking at and evaluate the age, condition and parts availability (not to mention the performance). You should figure at least $150 on top of the purchase price for a full overhaul (assuming parts are available and you can find a shop that will service it) and possibly much more if non service parts are damaged/missing. Computers that don't fire up are suspect .... it could just be a $15 battery but could also be flooded or a bad depth sensor (especially Suunto).
With BCs, it's a bit easier to judge condition -- you can inflate and make sure it holds air -- but there are other considerations. What style are you looking at -- back inflate or a jacket; cold water or warm water travel; backplate and wing? Each has pros and cons depending on the diving you will do. On some older weight integrated BCs, the weight systems were pretty unreliable - do you know what to look for? Do you know how to judge the fit of a BC? A poorly fitting BC results in frustration and wasted money.
I would recommend going to your local dive shop and seeing what they offer in your budget range. You will no doubt spend more upfront than with used gear but if you deal with a competent sales person, you have a much higher chance of long term satisfaction, not to mention a warranty and service support down the road (possibly free parts for life).
One clue to finding a competent sales person .... they should ask you about the kind of diving you do or plan to do before they steer you toward any specific products.
If they can't meet your budget, you are still free to look for used gear but you will have a better idea of the type of gear you should be looking for.
Some dive shops sell rental equipment that’s a few years old. Might be something to ask about.
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