Opinions on used gear?

[Gidds]

Somebody in my local forum started a thread about upcoming sales, some of used gear, and it got me thinking that I might considor picking up a used BC and that would make my life slightly easier. Do you think this is a good or bad idea and why?

 

[PerroneFord]

New or used, quality is quality. I have a number of items in my dive bag that are used, and a lot is new. It all works just fine which is really what you are after.

 

[BabyDuck]

good idea, especially if you buy off your buddy 'cause s/he's upgrading. you know where it's been & how it's been taken care of.

if a shop is doing it, most of the gear will likely be rental fleet stuff. that might be ok, but check it out really carefully & make sure the life isn't used out of whatever you get.

 

[mike_s]

A used BC is not a bad thing, as long as it's a good quality one (like Perrone said) and in good shape and has been taken care of. I would have no problem buying a used BC that's in good shape.

Used regulators are another thing. My thoughts on this are simple. If you buy a new one you typically get "free parts warranty" when serviced every year. If you buy it used you get no free parts warranty. Typical labor on service will run $50-$60 regardless. If you don't have have free parts warranty, then parts could typically run $40-$60. So getting your "used" regulator serviced could easily be $100-$120.

So if you buy a "used" regulator and get it serviced when you first get it ($120), then ever year for the next three years, you're spending about $480 bucks on regulator service (or about $240 on parts alone). so did you save $240 bucks by buying that regulator used? most likely not. maybe you did though. I use that as a 'break even point' to figure out if it's worth buying it used. If I'm only saving for example $50 bucks by buying it used, over the next three years I'll be paying an extra $240 for service and in the long run spending more money. So I'd buy it new unless you get a steal of a deal on it. Also buying it new you know exactly how it's been treated and you don't typically used.

Other scuba stuff used? most of it is ok as long as it's a good deal.

My exception is wetsuits.... do you really want a wetsuit that somone else has been pee'ing in? (hmmmmm....).

 

[aabond]

Personally, I would only buy a new regulator, but as far as a bc goes, I would definitely consider buying a used one. One thing you want to look for is that it holds air, and you can check that buy manually inflating it and give it some time to see if it deflates, or even better submerge it and see if any bubbles come out. Then another important thing that you should check for (something I learned from my girlfriends rental equipment in cozumel) is that the inflator doesn't slowly leak air into the bc. What happened that every ten minutes I would have to empty her bladder, and I finally just disconnect the LP hose.

I personally bought a new Seaquest Balance and love it especially since it is a back inflate. However, buying used, I would tend to look for a Backplate and Wing, since they allow for replacement parts. If a buckle were to break you could just replace it and not have to replace the entire unit. Same thing goes for a wing or the harness. And from everyone that has switched to one they prefer it because it improves their trim underwater, and it's more streamlined.

 

[Scottri]

Used gear is a great way to start. If it's in good shape you shouldn't have a problem. Have the gear checked out to make sure it's in good working order and have the req rebuilt if it hasn't been serviced in a year or so. Used gear is good to start with since it keeps your cost down and allows you to take some time to figure out what works for you and what doesn't. There are a lot of options and styles out there. I know a lot of divers that would have made different purchases after they gained some experience.

 

[PADI Knight]

Used regulators are another thing. My thoughts on this are simple. If you buy a new one you typically get "free parts warranty" when serviced every year. If you buy it used you get no free parts warranty. Typical labor on service will run $50-$60 regardless. If you don't have have free parts warranty, then parts could typically run $40-$60. So getting your "used" regulator serviced could easily be $100-$120.

So if you buy a "used" regulator and get it serviced when you first get it ($120), then ever year for the next three years, you're spending about $480 bucks on regulator service (or about $240 on parts alone). so did you save $240 bucks by buying that regulator used? most likely not. maybe you did though. I use that as a 'break even point' to figure out if it's worth buying it used. If I'm only saving for example $50 bucks by buying it used, over the next three years I'll be paying an extra $240 for service and in the long run spending more money. So I'd buy it new unless you get a steal of a deal on it. Also buying it new you know exactly how it's been treated and you don't typically used."

Wow, I must have gotten lucky then my US Divers Pro Diver rig only cost me $20.00 parts and labor was only $12.00. Spent $125.00 for the full set up regs and guages. So I'd say I had a good savings. The rebuil kit for secondary and octo was $6.00 each at my and $8.00 for the pirmary the labor would have been charged weather new or used since the "parts warranty" only covered the parts but for $6.00 and $8.00each I don't see that as a big advantage to over $200.00 difference between the two options. After the service, to quote the tech, I'm the owner of " brand new regulators". Actualy they breath easier than the Aqualung legend I was looking at.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

I was certified in 1993 and bought a used regulator soon after. It's a Scubapro Mk10 and I just replaced it with something new last year; I wanted a change, the regulator is still my back-up. I had a very experienced friend go shopping at the scuba flea market with me. He must have picked up a regulator at every table, asked if it was rental gear, asked if it had been serviced before the sale and asked a few more questions I don't remember. We probably hunted for the better part of an hour before he held one up and said "Buy this" and I did, for $200.
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[mike_s]

Wow, I must have gotten lucky then my US Divers Pro Diver rig only cost me $20.00 parts and labor was only $12.00. Spent $125.00 for the full set up regs and guages. So I'd say I had a good savings. The rebuil kit for secondary and octo was $6.00 each at my and $8.00 for the pirmary the labor would have been charged weather new or used since the "parts warranty" only covered the parts but for $6.00 and $8.00each I don't see that as a big advantage to over $200.00 difference between the two options. After the service, to quote the tech, I'm the owner of " brand new regulators". Actualy they breath easier than the Aqualung legend I was looking at.

That's great if you can get local service that good and cheap. Most places aren't
that cheap on parts or labor.

I don't think most places are that cheap. For example there was a thread on
here about how much did everyone pay for regulator service, parts and labor.
Most said that paid in the $40-$60 labor rate range. But there were a few
that paid less. But seeing how a lot of local dive shops are overpriced
(or list price) on many items, I can see it also in service.

I personally don't think that $40-$60 for labor is that bad. Heck my plumber
charges $65 an hour. The car dealership charges $55/hour. (for comparison.)

 

[dpbishop]

Everything you own is used after the first time you use it. Check your local papers for equipment that you can check out in person before you buy it or, if buying on-line ( e-bay or scubaboard) try and chenck the sellers history to make sure they're OK.