Used Equipment - To buy or not to buy?

[k2zoo]

Hello,

Did some searching through this forum and others for some info on used equipment. Didn't find what I was looking for. My story, I'm going to begin a certification class soon and I need equipment. I cant afford to buy all new, so I'd like to know the following. Is there a piece of equipment that I should, at any cost, buy new? What should I look for in used equipment to determine quality / proper care? Lastly, I wouldn't mind seeing some stories from others who bought used, the good the bad and the ugly. Thanks in advance for your help.

Cheers,

Kevin

ps. I didn't see a forum dedicated only to equipment but if I've posted this in the wrong place, sorry.

 

[darylm74]

If you can find well-maintained gear, I see no reason not to. Many people will tell you not to buy used regulators but if you have it serviced by a shop that says it is good order, I don't see why not. I wouldn't use anything you bought used that is a piece of life support gear until someone looks at it. About the only thing I would want to buy new is my mask and maybe something like a wetsuit or drysuit where fit is very important. Otherwise regs, bc's, etc. are all ok as long as they are in good working order and go through a check-up.

 

[BrianS]

I personally would buy my Wetsuit new, everything else I wouldn't mind buying used.

 

[pir8]

Be careful who/where you buy used from. Remember that you will need to get it serviced and if you didn't buy it from your local dive shop then it will go to the back of the list (no preferential treatment) it's only human nature. But if you get your used gear at your LDS then they will more than likely work with you and ensure that you only have quality working gear.

 

[k2zoo]

Thanks for the responses. Any here have any experience buying on eBay or Amazon?

 

[utdivermatt]

Yeah, I bought used rental gear from an LDS. The gear had been around a little over a year, but was still in great condition. I dont see how I could have gotten a better deal anywhere else. Outside of a couple of bumps on my reg, you cant tell anything had been used. I would check out your LDS and see if you can go that route. It saved me 100's of $$... which is really important to a college kid.

 

[Darnold9999]

Bought all my gear except mask and wetsuit used first time around. No problems if $ were an issue would do it again. Lots of people buy gear and barely use it so if you have time and patience you can find some really good deals.

 

[darylm74]

I have bought stuff from Ebay and it all depends on what you're buying. I bought a barely used Scubapro R380/Mk16 for like $100. It was rental gear from a dive shop in Alaska. You just have to keep your eyes open. If you look though you can probably get some decent gear from ScubaToys for the same price as you would some of the stuff on Ebay.

 

[herman]

I don't have any problems buying used gear, as long as you understand what you are getting. The fact is we all dive used gear on every dive, the only difference is WHO used it last. I would suggest you have any used reg or BC checked out by a shop before using it or better yet before you buy it.
Ebay and the like are a different matter. I will not buy anything used unseen from people I don't know. My definition of good shape and other peoples may well be totally different and clearing up misunderstanding can be difficult long distance.

 

[JodiBB]

I'm going to throw out a different perspective here....since you're just getting certified, is there any way you can rent gear? I'm asking because there are instances where a student will begin a certification class and then 1/2 way through the class realize that scuba diving isn't for them...by renting equipment, you're only out of the cost of the rental, and you won't have all sorts of equipment lying around. Once you complete the class and know scuba diving is for you, then buy the equipment....it's just one opinion...