New vs Used equipment

[PADI Knight]

Hi been reading here for a couple of weeks and decided to register and join in. My 17 YO daughter aspires ot be a marine bilogist so we are both taking the course. I've always wanted to do it and the LDS had a special for the course so we both took it and will complete the OW course in a couple of weeks.

I've begun looking at equipment. Orginally was going to go with all new gear figuring it would be best but since buying two sets of gear was going to be $$$$ I got to thinking that since gear will be serviced and inspected annually then why wouldn't used gear be a viable option for me since I'm not planning any technical diving anytime soon just lake every month or two (nothing during the winter months so no cold diving) and/or Vacation dives and when we go to visit daughter at college. Daughter's equipment given her career decison may or may not go this route depends on LDS and colleges ideas.

I'm thinking that finding some used equipment that's in good condition then taking it to the LDS for inspection and service (or course buying gear they service). However, will be the purchasing BC's from the LDS since I can't find what I want used.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Used regs are normally a very good buy. But stick with companies with reputations for long term support. Scuabpro and USD Divers/Aqualung are two of the few companies that provide support for decades and build quality stuff.

Avoid Dacor like the plague as anything older than about 5 years is almost impossibel to find parts for. Avoid Mares as well as they own Dacor and are the company responsible for the current lack of support for older regs policy.

BC's can also be good buys but condition is every thing.

One option to consider is buying used rental gear from your LDS. They usually rotate it out every 2-3 years and while it is rental equipment, you know it has probably been well maintained and is serviceable. Plus they usually get their rental gear new for a killer price anyway (example: Scubapro Mk 2 Plus R190 for $69.00) and can afford to pass the savings on to you when they sell it used. Selling it used is normally allowed after 2 years.

 

[mike_s]

Before you buy a used reg, find out what it will cost to service it. A friend bought a used reg off ebay and it cost $60 bucks labor + $65 bucks parts to get it serviced.

Even on new regulators you have to pay the service labor, but many of them include "free parts" if you get it serviced every year and buy it from an
authorized dealer. Now not all regulators come with free parts with service,
but just something to think about when buying used.

 

[redacted]

If you are not in too big of a hurry, I suggest you watch prices on ebay to get a feel for what is reasonable. My impression is used gear prices are best (buyer) after the summer dive season and hit a low between Thanksgiving and Xmas. I have bought quite a bit of '80 gear but it can be risky if you don't know what you are buying. Lots of stuff out there is not suitable for use on 3000 psi tanks. But the '90s stuff should be safer. You may also want to tactfully feel out your LDS on this idea. Some like to stick it to customers who did not purchase from them.

I also suggest you reconsider the BCD. Used BCD's can be had dirt cheap. Modern features may be lacking but they will secure you tank and provide bouyancy control. Most of the rest is bells and whistles. Very few new divers have the knowledge and experience to select a BCD they will be happy with for the next 10 years. I recommend diving with an adequate cheapie for 50 to 100 dives and then decide what you need fore the next 500.

Many of those of BCDs and mid-grade regs on ebay are being sold by LDSs who are renewing their training and rental gear or just closing their doors and moving on. If your local LDS is not surpportive, you might ask the seller about having the gear serviced before shipping.

Usually, tanks are the only piece of gear that have very limited savings opportunities (and some real pitfalls) in the used market.

 

[herman]

Really nothing wrong with used equipment, fact is we all use "used" equipment on every dive, the only difference is who used it last- you or some one else. I have an old Sherwood reg that I bought used 10 years ago which is still going strong. It's not my primary reg now, bought newer and fancier but it served me, my wife well and still acts as a pool reg. Find a quality brand and have it serviced. I would add Apex to the list of regs to look for. A little harder to find but good quality. Also older Zeagle regs are Apex's that were relabled- a good choice as well. BC are about the same, the BC that came with the above reg is still fine to dive but is retired unless I need a pond BC.

 

[PADI Knight]

Great to read the replies. Once I sat down and actually thought about it the idea of use regs sounds logical. I mean I'll have anything ispected and repaired annually anyway. For the BC I really like the seaquest pro I've looked at in the LDS did see one on ebay but the final cost with shipping was getting close to the LDS so might as well buy it there and probably make him happy since he's the only show around for about a 2 hour drive. I'm looking at Us Divers and Scubapro since he is an authorized dealer and said if I found used he'd service it as he knows how things are. Currently he had nothing he was turning around and doesn't deal in used gear.

 

[PADI Knight]

Before you buy a used reg, find out what it will cost to service it. A friend bought a used reg off ebay and it cost $60 bucks labor + $65 bucks parts to get it serviced.

Even on new regulators you have to pay the service labor, but many of them include "free parts" if you get it serviced every year and buy it from an
authorized dealer. Now not all regulators come with free parts with service,
but just something to think about when buying used.

WOW! was it in bad shape of LDS not happy to service. $125 extra depending on the initial cost is about the same price new ouch! :11:

 

[redacted]

Great to read the replies. Once I sat down and actually thought about it the idea of use regs sounds logical. I mean I'll have anything ispected and repaired annually anyway. .

If that is your plan, I would go for new regs that include a "parts-for-life" program from an authorized dealer. In the long run, the free parts will pay off if you plan on annual service anyway. Or look for a brand that only requires service every 2 year hopefully reducing the lifetime service charge.

If you go this route, you need to plan on using those regs long enough to amoritize the extra, up front, cost.

 

[DiveGolfSki]

Here's a good source for used equipment from an LDS:

http://www.northeastscubasupply.com/usedequip.html

Hi been reading here for a couple of weeks and decided to register and join in. My 17 YO daughter aspires ot be a marine bilogist so we are both taking the course. I've always wanted to do it and the LDS had a special for the course so we both took it and will complete the OW course in a couple of weeks.

I've begun looking at equipment. Orginally was going to go with all new gear figuring it would be best but since buying two sets of gear was going to be $$$$ I got to thinking that since gear will be serviced and inspected annually then why wouldn't used gear be a viable option for me since I'm not planning any technical diving anytime soon just lake every month or two (nothing during the winter months so no cold diving) and/or Vacation dives and when we go to visit daughter at college. Daughter's equipment given her career decison may or may not go this route depends on LDS and colleges ideas.

I'm thinking that finding some used equipment that's in good condition then taking it to the LDS for inspection and service (or course buying gear they service). However, will be the purchasing BC's from the LDS since I can't find what I want used.

 

[cmalinowski]

I'm not going to get into the hate/love argument with leisurepro, but they just emailed me (bulk email) about sending them used equipment for possible trade. So, they obviously sell used equipment. Might want to check with them. Some people love them, others don't. I think most of the haters don't like the "no mfg'r warranty" and I can't blame them on some stuff.

I don't know if scubatoys does used equip or not. I have gotten a couple of tanks from Larry used, so you may want to contact them as well. I have never seen a bad word spoken about scubatoys.