Need feedback on some used equipment

[selkie57]

Hello:
I am a newbie and will be diving in May and will have to rent equipment. I saw this ad and well it may be less expensive to buy these used items until i am able to shop around for other equipment as I become more adept at diving: Please read:
"new Tusa Charter BC (large) which has only been used for two 40ft dives in Cancun, which I purchased in January 2005 and paid $200.00 for. I also have a Mares Navy regulator (purchased in 1996 and serviced in Jan. 2005) and Mares Proton octopus (purchased in Jan. 2005 for 100.00, and used in the same two dives in Cancun). My wife just bought me a new Cressi BC and regulator set. You can have the Tusa BC and the Mares regulator with octopus for $200.00 plus shipping from NYC.
Extremely grateful for honest feedback...i have looked at the BC and octopus on the web and they seem to have a fair rating..the regs however, i am not sure about.
Thanks a million bubbles!!!

 

[Stirling]

I don't know any of those specific products, but I would try to confirm a couple of things with the seller and a local shop about the regulator.

Is the "Navy Regulator" the Mares MR12dfc Navy regulator described here? http://www.discountdivers.com/fx/reg_set_1.html
(Note that's being offered used for $400 *with* a couple of other items, so that doesn't tell you what the first and second stages alone are worth)

I don't see more than a couple of other mentions of that regulator on the internet, so there *may* be an issue about future service and parts - get the exact description and ask a LDS that carries Mares products in your area if they can still service this product. If the seller just had it done in January, and it was purchased new in 1996, it may not be an issue, but it's just a possibility to consider and investigate. I have been stuck with a couple of "orphaned" products, including a regulator, and it's annoying.

I would add to this price the cost of having somebody check it out thoroughly after you receive it. The BC can be purchased new for about $170 (per internet prices), the octopus was $100 new in January (per the seller), and the other regs are worth I don't know how much. I expect some other people here will know better than I do how much this stuff should sell for compared to its new price if it was new in January and only used a couple of times.

But if your alternative is renting, and if you don't have any doubts about the seller's truthfulness (re recent service and use) and the safety of this gear, how big is the downside? Even if you're not really satisfied with it, I think you could look at this $ as the cost of renting this gear for several dives, sell it on e-Bay to get back at least some and maybe most of your money, and then buy what you want after you've seen what other people are using, what they like about it, and what appeals to you.

 

[Wijbrandus]

For 200 bucks, I'd get the gear checked out at your LDS and go for it.

Even if you only use it for a two of dive trips, you've saved more than the cost of renting the same gear.

 

[selkie57]

For 200 bucks, I'd get the gear checked out at your LDS and go for it.

Even if you only use it for a two of dive trips, you've saved more than the cost of renting the same gear.

Hi there:
After some electronic dialogue, i have gone ahead and purchased the items. I called the LDS and they said there should be no probs wiht parts. The seller faxed me a copy of the service receipt and other items. Anyway, all i need now is a 3mm shorty or full wet suit. I have to drive a ways to the nearest dive shop for that but I am thrilled!
Roll on May 1 and lauderdale by the sea!
Thanks,
Jude