Thoughts on purchase of unused, long-discontinued BCD?

[Parlem]

Sounds like a seller trying to unload old merch.

Well, yes, that's very much the case. My concern was, considering the BCD has never been dived and has been kept packaged and in storage as supplied by Mares, to what extent I should expect it to show its actual age (brittle O-rings, etc). And I should've known it'd be getting conflicting advice/views

To those of you who have suggested I switch to a backplate with wings system, I know you mean well and it's sound advice, but I'm an old dog who is not in a position to learn many new tricks.

 

[happy-diver]

So if it were smaller you would continue to dive your original yet have doubts about a new one stored in its bag

 

[Umuntu]

to what extent I should expect it to show its actual age (brittle O-rings, etc).

The only O-rings would be in the in the inflator and inflator hose, those are easily replaced and serviced. Though the O-ring in the inflator hose can be tricky to install.

Replacement inflators can be bought for less than €20 from Diveinn in Spain, which would be less expensive than the labour cost of getting it serviced.

 

[Parlem]

So if it were smaller you would continue to dive your original yet have doubts about a new one stored in its bag

Yes, I would continue to dive my own BCD if it were a good fit. I know it's been looked after and I am always careful with my gear. But, clearly I need a new BCD as the one I'm diving at present is too large and detracts from the experience as well as being a potential safety concern. I just thought it'd be nice to dive the same model, but a size smaller. Quite frankly, the odds of finding the right size in a model that was long discontinued seemed very small so when I found this particular unit online I thought I should carefully consider the pros and (possible) cons.

 

[Edward3c]

Hello!

For the past few years I've been diving a Mares Hybrid size XL BCD and it has served me well. It had always been on the bigger size and, after dropping 10kg in the last couple of years, it's now clearly a size too large for me.

This particular model was discontinued by Mares quite a few years ago but I've managed to find a brand-new unit that's been in storage for 10 years but has never been used and is the size I need. The seller used to own an online scuba store that shut down a while ago and he has been selling gear privately for the past few years. He's wants 245€ for it.

Do you reckon it's a good deal? Should I be concerned about maintenance? Ten years in storage is a long time ... If I bite the bullet, would you advise having it serviced by a Mares dealer? I'm thinking O-rings must have hardened and perhaps become brittle over the years, that sort of thing ...

I'd appreciate your thoughts on the matter and many thanks in advance.

I’ve got an old AP Valves jacket (considered indestructible) which I haven’t used in 15 years. If I wanted to bring it back into service I would send it to AP to get the inner bag, hoses and O-rings charged. The chances they’re all brittle now and will crack when used.

 

[broncobowsher]

So if it were smaller you would continue to dive your original yet have doubts about a new one stored in its bag

Correct. I have issues with flexible stuff that has been stored without being flexed for a decade. The plasticizers (the stuff in the plastics that keep them flexible) are not worked and stuff gets brittle. I've had lots of plastic stuff that is used daily that lasts forever, but the spare to it that just sits turns to garbage from just sitting. I would trust a 10 year old BCD that was used semi-often way more than one aged in a box over the same decade.

 

[Scared Silly]

I will echo a couple points others have made. Typical retail markup is 40%. So that 400€ BCD cost the seller 240€. So the seller is trying to fully get their investment back which is not reasonable after 10 years. One needs to cut their losses and move on.

While the item is new in the box, one does not know how it was stored. Storage impacts the life. Also after ten years there is no warranty and their may not even be replacement parts (bladder). At least if one bought it via eBay there would be some buyer protection.

At the same I understand the OP wanting the same style so there is no learning curve. As such,I could see making the seller an offer of 100€-120€. With the caveat as suggested they show the BCD fully inflated. I would go so far to ask that it be inflated with OPV being exercised. That would require a video to be sent.

 

[Scuba-74]

I will echo a couple points others have made. Typical retail markup is 40%. So that 400€ BCD cost the seller 240€. So the seller is trying to fully get their investment back which is not reasonable after 10 years. One needs to cut their losses and move on.

While the item is new in the box, one does not know how it was stored. Storage impacts the life. Also after ten years there is no warranty and their may not even be replacement parts (bladder). At least if one bought it via eBay there would be some buyer protection.

At the same I understand the OP wanting the same style so there is no learning curve. As such,I could see making the seller an offer of 100€-120€. With the caveat as suggested they show the BCD fully inflated. I would go so far to ask that it be inflated with OPV being exercised. That would require a video to be sent.

I would argue that, realistically, it should be either a lowball offer, or a request for video to be made, not both. With the video, one would effectively request proof that the product is functioning as-new, and with no wear and tear as well, which would make the offer less justifiable.

Thinking more about it, I would lean towards making a reasonable offer, maybe 120€, expecting a counteroffer of 150€, then if something is wrong - use the old BC for parts. Inflator, hose, and deflators are easy to swap. Bladder I'm not sure about, but it's likely the same size as well.

It would be a decent purchase for 120€-150€ I think.

UPD: whatever you end up doing, don't add those 10 kilos back! I've shed and added similar amounts, gets increasingly difficult with age.

 

[happy-diver]

I’ve got an old AP Valves jacket (considered indestructible) which I haven’t used in 15 years. If I wanted to bring it back into service I would send it to AP to get the inner bag, hoses and O-rings charged. The chances they’re all brittle now and will crack when used.

I have an orange one with a crack bottle quite a bit older and to bring it back into service I would just put it on

as the bladder is perfect and the orings all seal

Correct. I have issues with flexible stuff that has been stored without being flexed for a decade. The plasticizers (the stuff in the plastics that keep them flexible) are not worked and stuff gets brittle. I've had lots of plastic stuff that is used daily that lasts forever, but the spare to it that just sits turns to garbage from just sitting. I would trust a 10 year old BCD that was used semi-often way more than one aged in a box over the same decade.

See we're not talking about your issues with sitting plastics the conversation is about New old Stock BCDs

So and considering I have dozens of bcds and dozens of wings and rooms of SCUBA plastics, and rubbers
and all manner of diving stuff other than a chamber or a submarine I suggest this bc will be perfectly fine

So if it were smaller you would continue to dive your original yet have doubts about a new one stored in its bag

Yes, I would continue to dive my own BCD if it were a good fit. I know it's been looked after and I am always careful with my gear. But, clearly I need a new BCD as the one I'm diving at present is too large and detracts from the experience as well as being a potential safety concern. I just thought it'd be nice to dive the same model, but a size smaller. Quite frankly, the odds of finding the right size in a model that was long discontinued seemed very small so when I found this particular unit online I thought I should carefully consider the pros and (possible) cons.

No what I have suggested is that you will use a ten yr old one but not a ten yr old unused one
as your fear of a bad purchase has been increased due to listening to people that have no clue

Where is this bc I will buy it just to pull it to pieces and show everyone how perfect the thing is

As this bc has never been on the falling to pieces radar


To show those without a clue to be without a clue less!