New Gear Question

[Zac Rochester]

Hey Everybody,

This is my first post and I am looking to buy some scuba gear. I have been looking for a little while and have found what looks to be a good deal on Craigslist. The main thing I want to check here is with the tank, it is a 80 CF tank made in January of 1994. I have heard of not to buy Aluminum tanks made in the 80s because the crack but then I read somewhere to not buy tanks that were 10 years old. It does look like a nice tank and comes with a well kept full scuba kit.
Thanks a lot,
Zac
PS How do I post pics that don't have a url?

 

[Scared Silly]

First, I would say go visit some of your local shops and ask about their fill policy. Some have asinine policies like no cylinders of any kind over 20 years old. Which in that case you would be SOL.

That said their is no reason why a shop would not fill an AL cylinder from 1994 that was in hydro and had a valid VIP within the last year.

As for the rest of the kit post up what is being sold. You want to make sure you can get it serviced. Most gear can be but mfg like Dacor are gone and parts can be difficult to source. Make sure any BCD can truly hold air - i.e. fill it until the OPV goes and let it sit while you look at the rest of the gear.


As for pics - I think you need 25 posts before you can up load photos.

 

[toddthecat]

Most gear can be but mfg like Dacor are gone and parts can be difficult to source.

Dacor is about the easiest to service for being gone, partly because they merged or were bought out by Mares.

 

[Doc Harry]

I have a Mares reg and consistently have difficulty getting it serviced. I always end up sending the regulator off to some far-away place for maintenence. And if the reg has a problem while I'm on vacation somewhere - forget about getting it fixed until I get home and ship it somewhere.

Anyone want to buy a slightly used Mares 1st stage, 2nd stage and octo?

 

[toddthecat]

I've used a Mares MR22/Abyss for over a decade without a problem. Our tech services Mares which makes up all of our student regs as well. I agree that service while on vacation could pose a potential problem, but that can be true for a lot of brands depending on the shop.

 

[Zac Rochester]

Thanks for the relies guys. I made the purchase and I'm very happy with what I got and for the price I got it at. I got a ScubaPro MK10/G250 regulator, back up reg, gauges w/ compass, wrist compass, TUSA X-Pert knife, weight belt, 28lbs of soft weights, 2 pairs of booties, 2 pairs of gloves, a dive skin, an 80 CF aluminum tank, and a Sea Quest ADV BCD all pack into a nice carry bag for $400. I haven't gotten anything tested but I went diving with rentals and the guy at my shop gave it a quick look and said everything looks good, I've also used it all in my pool.

Let me know what you think!

Zac

 

[toddthecat]

I'd say you had room for negotiation...

Depends on a lot though. Who makes the gauges? How old is the tank and is it within hydro? How old is the BC? Remember reg service is going to cost you and based on average prices it'll be more than 25% what you paid for the entire package.

When I am gauging a price on something I completely throw out booties, gloves, and knives. Every time someone brings used boots and gloves to my shop in an effort to sell them, I don't buy them. If it's a package deal, I consider their value to be zero. Bear in mind people usually bring boots that are really old and the neoprene is no longer stretchy. Either way a good pair of new boots isn't expensive. Most people think they can sell 15 to 20 year old boots for the price of new ones.

Bear in mind you can't always judge the condition of a reg by a cursory glance. Sometimes you can. If it has tons of crusty buildup and you look in the first stage and the filter is all blue and crusty, then yeah, count on the inside being trashed. One time we had a guy bring in a reg (Mares no less) that looked brand new. He said he had just a few dives on it and then stored it for a few years. Looked beautiful. Took it apart and everything in the first stage was seized up and corroded. I called the guy and told him, which he didn't believe. He was quick to say he washed his regs after every dive and had the dust cap on. Then the light bulb went off over my head. I asked, "Did you use a hose?". He said yes. "Did you put the hose in the mouthpiece of the reg?". He said yes. "Did you, by chance, hold the purge button down when you did that?". He said, "Of course I did". My response was, "well that's your problem right there. You flooded your first stage and let it sit in storage for 3 years".

Don't judge a book by its cover!

 

[redacted]

Since everything seems to be working OK, the price was fair to both of you. Enjoy