Buying new vs. used

as far as i'm concerned a well-maintained regulator set should be ok if
second-hand, but if you get one, make sure it had a revision done
before buying.

regarding BCD, if you're on a budget, look at http://scubal.com (i got
a very good backinflation BCD from them for 200 USD)

Amanda wrote:

> It's time.
> I have to buy.
> But I can't afford a whole bunch of top 'o the line gear.
> Is it worth it to look into used equipment? I'm starting from scratch here.

Provided you have some experience with diving equipment, and are able
to check it over a bit, why not. But do not compromise, if it fits, it
fits, if it doesn't, keep looking. I would still give stuff like
regs/tanks/bcd's for a checkup to a service point before trying to dive
with them.

/Marcin

Amanda wrote:
> It's time.
>
> I have to buy.
>
> But I can't afford a whole bunch of top 'o the line gear.
>
> Is it worth it to look into used equipment? I'm starting from scratch here.

You bet! With a little guidance from a local experienced diver, you
should be able to find some excellent used gear and save quite a bit of
money. There's a lot of barely used gear being sold by divers who lost
interest.

I purchased most of my scuba gear second-hand and it's served me well.

You can probably avoid problems if you stick with major name-brand gear
that your local shop can service.

For basic open-water gear, if it's been well-maintained and less than
10 or 15 years old, it should perform as well new stuff on the market
now. Older than that may take a more experienced eye to judge the
condition, suitability and value.

And, if you buy "right", you should be able to recoup most of your
costs if you sell the gear in the future. Around here, in the northeast
US, used gear sells for around 50% of new price.

Keep in mind that getting a good fit on some items is important.

Good luck. HTH.

Dave C

> second-hand, but if you get one, make sure it had a revision done
> before buying.
>
What do you mean by a 'revision date'. If you mean manufacturing date that's
irrelevant. It's more important to buy a well respected make & model that's
been looked after.

It would be more appropriate to ask when it was last serviced and, if not
recently, then ask for a price that reflects the need to have it
professionally serviced. It's worth calling a LDS to find out what a
service costs. This will be based upon the 1st stage and a cost per second
stage. It will also be dependent upon the make and model.

For example, I know that the cost (trade) price of a 1st stage service kit
and two 2nd stage service kits for a standard Apeks TX40/50/100 costs £25 to
£28 complete (US$40 to US$45), then there are the labour costs and
lubricants / cleaning etc. Expect to pay £70 to £100 (US$120 to US$150) for
a complete service of a reg with two second stages, excluding any additional
requirements such as worn hoses or broken plastic parts.

If this is done then it should perform just like new.

TonyH

Amanda,

I might be able to start you off. I have a like new 6.5 M.M.
wetsuit ( I believe henderson). My wife bought it optimistically. So if you
are petite and interested I can provide you with further info.

John

"Dave C" <dcalderbank@top.monad.net> wrote in message
news:1131552234.252126.313510@o13g2000cwo.googlegr oups.com...
>
> Amanda wrote:
>> It's time.
>>
>> I have to buy.
>>
>> But I can't afford a whole bunch of top 'o the line gear.
>>
>> Is it worth it to look into used equipment? I'm starting from scratch
>> here.
>
> You bet! With a little guidance from a local experienced diver, you
> should be able to find some excellent used gear and save quite a bit of
> money. There's a lot of barely used gear being sold by divers who lost
> interest.
>
> I purchased most of my scuba gear second-hand and it's served me well.
>
> You can probably avoid problems if you stick with major name-brand gear
> that your local shop can service.
>
> For basic open-water gear, if it's been well-maintained and less than
> 10 or 15 years old, it should perform as well new stuff on the market
> now. Older than that may take a more experienced eye to judge the
> condition, suitability and value.
>
> And, if you buy "right", you should be able to recoup most of your
> costs if you sell the gear in the future. Around here, in the northeast
> US, used gear sells for around 50% of new price.
>
> Keep in mind that getting a good fit on some items is important.
>
> Good luck. HTH.
>
> Dave C
>

Amanda wrote:
>It's time.
>
>I have to buy.
>
>But I can't afford a whole bunch of top 'o the line gear.
>
>Is it worth it to look into used equipment? I'm starting from scratch here.
>
>a
Why not go to a shop and see about buying out their rental or class gear.
alot of shops change over the gear end of year , you can buy a full set
cheaper

--
Message posted via ScubaMonster.com
http://www.scubamonster.com/Uwe/Foru...pment/200511/1

Should you buy used scuba gear?
read the answer at the Scuba Guide:
http://www.thescubaguide.com/mailbag/qa010.aspx



"Amanda" <amandaSPAMBAIT@finepointproductions.com> wrote in message
news:4371549C.5060201@finepointproductions.com...
>
>
> It's time.
>
> I have to buy.
>
> But I can't afford a whole bunch of top 'o the line gear.
>
> Is it worth it to look into used equipment? I'm starting from scratch
> here.
>
> a
>

Ian Ring wrote:
> Should you buy used scuba gear?
> read the answer at the Scuba Guide:
> http://www.thescubaguide.com/mailbag/qa010.aspx

I strongly disagree. You can by used tanks and have them checked out.
The same with ANY gear you buy used, including regulators. If the tank
has a current hydro and VIP, there should be nothing wrong with it if it
appears to be well kept. Same with regualators. If they were serviced
recently (I would still have my shop check it out before using it), why
not. You can save a bundle over "new".

Me? I've bought used tanks, regulators, reels. No problems.

TonyP wrote:
> Ian Ring wrote:
>
>> Should you buy used scuba gear?
>> read the answer at the Scuba Guide:
>> http://www.thescubaguide.com/mailbag/qa010.aspx
>
>
> I strongly disagree. You can by used tanks and have them checked out.
> The same with ANY gear you buy used, including regulators. If the tank
> has a current hydro and VIP, there should be nothing wrong with it if it
> appears to be well kept. Same with regualators. If they were serviced
> recently (I would still have my shop check it out before using it), why
> not. You can save a bundle over "new".
>
> Me? I've bought used tanks, regulators, reels. No problems.
>

The price of new gear isn't the price of the gear. It's the price of
the lifetime warranty. The gear itself is actually pretty cheap, so if
you're buying used gear, even at half the new price, you're still
probably paying more than its worth since the thing that makes up the
majority cost of new gear doesn't transfer when reselling.

OTOH, if you do your own service, or don't take full advantage of the
typical service agreements anyway, then there's not much benefit in the
new gear over well maintained used gear. except of course, building up
a repoire with your local dive shop...

zippthorne wrote:
> TonyP wrote:
>
>> Ian Ring wrote:
>>
>>> Should you buy used scuba gear?
>>> read the answer at the Scuba Guide:
>>> http://www.thescubaguide.com/mailbag/qa010.aspx

>> I strongly disagree. You can by used tanks and have them checked out.
>> The same with ANY gear you buy used, including regulators. If the tank
>> has a current hydro and VIP, there should be nothing wrong with it if
>> it appears to be well kept. Same with regualators. If they were
>> serviced recently (I would still have my shop check it out before
>> using it), why not. You can save a bundle over "new".
>>
>> Me? I've bought used tanks, regulators, reels. No problems.

> The price of new gear isn't the price of the gear. It's the price of
> the lifetime warranty. The gear itself is actually pretty cheap, so if
> you're buying used gear, even at half the new price, you're still
> probably paying more than its worth since the thing that makes up the
> majority cost of new gear doesn't transfer when reselling.
>
> OTOH, if you do your own service, or don't take full advantage of the
> typical service agreements anyway, then there's not much benefit in the
> new gear over well maintained used gear. except of course, building up
> a repoire with your local dive shop...


What has a lifetime "warantee" outside of a few regulators? BCD's? Wings
and backplate? Tanks? Dry/wet suits, etc?
Sherwood regs have 2 years, Zeagle the same. I know Poseidon doesn't
have a "lifetime". Usually a lifetime is if you have it serviced every
year (proof needed). They'll give you lifetime on parts, not labor. And,
how much are the parts to overhaul a regulator? Dirt cheap for the most
part.