How do folks navigate buying scuba equipment?

[DougA]

What part of Oregon? If Twanoh state park on Hood Canal isn't too far for you, that part of the Canal gets into the mid to upper 70s in summer, sometimes low 80s. Could be a good spot to sort your gear out.

Portland. Thank you for that suggestion! I did not know that any place in the Puget Sound got to those temperatures in the summer!

 

[DougA]

I wrote a ScubaBoard article a while back on how to pick a regulator. It might be helpful!

Info - How to Choose a Regulator

How to Choose a Regulator (an overview of features and their value) One of the first pieces of equipment that every diver will acquire is a set of Regulators. This is one of the most critical pieces of your gear as it enables you to breathe underwater and are considered to be life safety...

scubaboard.com

Very cool! I’m reading this as soon as I’m not out with my wife. (I don’t think she’d like that so much.)

 

[Eric802]

I was originally certified in 1988, so we have something in common – we didn’t have the Internet back then. What I found, when I got back into diving last year, is that there is so much more information available, and so much easier to get then we had it “back in the day“. In the past year, I’ve literally bought everything new, from snorkel to fins. What worked for me, was to search the Internet retailers to see what was in my price range. I had a fixed budget in mind, and I was not interested in being tempted by things that were outside that budget. Once I identified what I could afford, I searched those items (most of the results were on scuba board), and made my purchases based on what I could afford, what had good ratings, and what was available.

I’m very happy with the results. I ended up with a Shearwater Peregrine and Mares Avanti Quattro+ fins that I bought off ScubaBoard; I found a great deal on a dive package with a Hog backplate and wing system with Hog regulators from Diverssupply.com. Wetsuit package from Scuba.com. I’ve purchased other odds and ends to replace the gear I’d had since I was originally certified. I think the gear I have now will last me as long as I need it, and be adaptable for any kind of diving I choose to do in the future.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

Portland. Thank you for that suggestion! I did not know that any place in the Puget Sound got to those temperatures in the summer!

Just be warned that thete is a severe thermocline at 25 to 30 feet!

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

What are the chances of getting any regulator serviced on a trip? You're going to end up borrowing or renting a replacement no matter what the brand.

I've had too many regs screwed up by LDSs to jump off a boat with an untested reg. I'd rather rent a reg that has at least been used before.

 

[Endler's]

You really should take a Scuba Refresher Course, before diving back into open water.
You're fortunate.
You have over half-dozen dive shops in Portland.
Call first and see who offers the class, and then go down and visit with them.
Check out the shop and vibes you get from staff. Look at what gear they sell. Take a list of questions with you. Ask how they blend their Nitrox.
Before you buy internet, ask the LDS to match prices. Mine does (or beats).
Some dive shops are actually cool to hang out at.

 

[SlugLife]

Navigating buying generally used equipment I'd say is a matter of:

• Familiarity with each piece. For example, knowing scuba-tanks, vs regulators, vs computers, vs BCDs is all different.
• Market familiarity: It helps to have a general idea of the "going market price." Some things like most BCDs have terrible resale value. Same with many regulators. Tanks usually have great resale value. With regulators, you often need to know that brand, their models, how easy/difficult they are to service or get serviced, etc.
• Brand/Model: The specific brand and model can have massive impact on resale. For example, shearwater computers tend to have great resale. Scuba-pro regulators have above-average resale. US-diver regulators, you can't even give away. Generic oceanic or Mares dive-computers, you can expect used to e about 20% the new price.
• Budget: Both how much money you have to spend, and the idea of keeping money around for future purchases.
• Patience: If you've got the time and patience, you can sometimes get insanely good deals.
• DIY Servicing: If you know how to service something, like regulators, that helps significantly.
• If Clueless: If you have NO idea what you're looking at, the general safe things to buy used might be fins and knives. Beyond that, you really need to do your research.
• Markets: Ebay, Craigslist, Scuba-board used, facebook market. The more you use the better. (Though I don't use FB for personal reasons)

By item:

• Tanks: Don't buy AL tanks manufactured before 1990. The hydro-date and VIP date might affect whether you need to increase/decrease your budget for getting them hydro'd and VIP'd. If the tank is COMPLETELY empty of pressure when you buy it, that's a risk factor, as they should be stored with some pressure to prevent condensation.
• Tank Valves: Used tank valves are often fine, though it may help to service them or have them serviced. (I need to learn how to do that)
• Computer: Unless you get one of the "hot" computers, expect most to sell for a tiny-fraction of the new price.
• Fins: You can get great deals on many used fins. They also tend to hold up well over many years.
• Mask: I probably would avoid used masks. You don't know the condition of the seal.
• Wetsuit: There are lots of great deals on used wetsuits. Just beware that someone else has probably peed in it a bunch of times, and you have to beware fitment issues. I usually wash wetsuits I get immediately. Cold water, air-dry, and no machines with a "spinner" in the middle of the camber. Alternatively, put in a tub (plastic, or bath), soak, and hand-wash. Look for usual wear and tear.
• Drysuits: Yeah, I don't know here!
• Knives: Generally safe to buy used. Better if you know how to sharpen yourself.
• BCDs: Generic BCDs you can't even really give away. Over the years, I've ended up with nearly a dozen BCDs that I didn't want or need, but came as part of other bulk craigslist purchases. Specific BCDs (i.e. if you get into sidemount) can be a little more reflective of their new-prices. Backplates are fine used. Backplate Harnesses, I'd say just make your own harness for the backplate with stiffer webbing and add d-rings.
• Regulators: This varies a LOT. You really need to know brands and models to get a good deal. You should also figure every used regulator probably need complete servicing. If I don't know the regulator's history (and you can't trust most people), I'd suggest replacing all the hoses, and servicing every component. If you want to get started on used-regulators, pick a specific brand, like Apeks, Scubapro, etc and stick with that brand because to keep track of the entire market is a lot of work.
• Regulator Hoses: Trash. Or cut up for DIY projects.

 

[DougA]

Warm water diving one to 3 times a year. My advice would be to find a buddy, one who DOESN'T go on warm water trips. Borrow his gear and give him $75 or so for each trip to use his regulator set. LOL. about any regulator should work fine for you - a cheap one that the local shop services is probably smart.

BTW - I meant 1-3 dive trips a year, about 4-20 dives each trip.

 

[DougA]

JMHO, but if you plan on one to three dives a year, I would not buy any gear and just rent what you need at the location. Not much of need to maintain a set of gear and haul it around the planet for a dive or two each year. Sounds like routine resort recreational dives that can be comfortabley done on rental equipment.

Makes sense - I meant 1-3 dive trips a year, about 4-20 dives each trip. But still...

 

[DougA]

You really should take a Scuba Refresher Course, before diving back into open water.
You're fortunate.
You have over half-dozen dive shops in Portland.
Call first and see who offers the class, and then go down and visit with them.
Check out the shop and vibes you get from staff. Look at what gear they sell. Take a list of questions with you. Ask how they blend their Nitrox.
Before you buy internet, ask the LDS to match prices. Mine does (or beats).
Some dive shops are actually cool to hang out at.

I did a refresher at AquaticSports in summer of 21. And been on three trips and about 35 dives since then, so I think I'm OK in that regard. (Though I do feel like I am refreshing and relearning each time.)