Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

[And-Con]

OK, I am a certified diver, and looking into getting some gear, I have 4 aluminum 80's and now need a regulator and buoyancy compensator-are there any brands to be wary of: those that have gone out of business, have spotty parts availability etc.

I will most likely be limited to second hand equipment, but due to the economic downturn, there seems to be a surplus of used equipment(I got all 4 tanks for 200, all within hydro and visual, and 2-8 years old) . Also,I already have some gear-fins, mask, snorkel, wet suit, weights, and a boat. So, it's really just the reg and bc that I'm lacking; thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Billdc]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

How often are you going to dive? I used to dive 10-20 times a year, until I went to the caribbean. Now I only go 1-2 times a year. The cost of mandatory checks on all the gear made it more cost effective to rent. I can't help you with brands,but I do remember when I owned there were Co's that changed their lines every year and after 3-4 years no longer had parts for the "outdated" lines. I'm sure someone with more recent knowledge will let you know which brands to avoid. Have fun.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

I have Zeagle BC and reg...10 years now...and they have been great.
Good warranty too.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

I would look at Dacor, plus I would only buy new. I want to know my life is in good hands, and you never know about a used regulator. Make sure you get an octopus setup as then you always have a backup for yourself or your buddy. AND I REPEAT AND always strap on a good dive knife. You never know when you may need it to save yours or someone else's life. Get a new bc as well. Dacor is an excellent brand on that, I have one that is 15 years old that I still do not need to replace. Remember salt water is a killer. always rinse and dryoff the salt.

 

[And-Con]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

The input is much appreciated, I do plan on having anything i get thoroughly checked out, and I do rather like the idea of having complete records of everything, which I could only reliably get by buying new, but if i were to buy new I would skip that and just keep renting; a new bc will run a lot and a new reg will run a lot more.

OK I admit i forgot to put the knife on the list of stuff I already have, and I would never even consider going under without both myself and whoever i happen to be diving with having octos.

Sorry for vagueness, I'm still in the air a little bit on this.

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

Like mphy98 said, buy new, you'll have it for a long time. If the $$ are too big a hit all at once, buy the reg first.
Dacor is a great name, too. But I've never used anything but my Zeagle gear so can't speak first hand.
Whistle, good watch or dive computer.
Whatever equipment you settle on, get the annual maintenance done faithfully!

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

I have used Scubapro for years now. I prefer their piston balanced first stages to the standard diaphram on most other first stages. The reason the piston is far superior to the diaphram is that no matter what depth you are in the piston keeps the flow pressure equal, whereas a diaphram first stage will cause some labor on breathing at deeper depths. Read up on it.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

I like ScubaPro and I would not buy used. Scuba is a dangerous sport as it is and you don't need unkonown equipment to add to the risk.

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

all I can say is if you do go down the used road for regulators, please buy a rebuild kit. If you are not versed in repair then have a good dive shop do it. Long story short I dove with a guy that bought used gear and did not have it serviced. At the 110 foot mark he passed out on me from hypoxia. Seems the regulator cut off flow. I managed to get him to the surface, after a brief decompression stop, but I refused to dive with him agian till he bought a new setup.

 

[Capt Craig]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

PADI Master Diver Trainer here. Diving since 1980. Avoid the garage sales!! A few dive shops deal in used equipment and that is fine AS LONG AS the gear has been serviced by an AUTHORIZED technician. If the shop is selling SeaQuest but can't work on it, that means it hasn't been evaluated for function.

A regulator should not have any corrosion, if you see ANY, move on. If it is on the outside, it is on the inside. Ideally, your first and second stage should be from the same maker and same era! There are many quality makers it is difficult to recommend one versus another.

The key to a great regulator is that it breathes easily. Most shops have a variety of regs in their rental equip. Rent a couple of different regs and dive them. Which ever one suits your liking is the best one to buy. Also, ask the shop when he cycles his rental gear out. Often you can't buy one cheap and he puts a new rig in rental. He will go through and tune it up and you will have a rig that works for many years.

As far as a BC avoid the technical BCs that have the back inflation. It pushes people face down into the water and freaks many poeple out. Get one that has balanced front and back inflation and I prefer built in weight pockets. No weight belt prevents shifting and you can still ditch if you need too buy pulling velcro flaps.

The dive shops make it very easy to try before you buy!

 

[jollymon]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

I prefer Aqua Lung (US Divers) but that is my preference, and nothing more. My wife prefers Scuba Pro, but I made her switch. (Cost and at the time I was not certified to service Scuba Pro)

BC's As for back inflation or one with both front and back, hands down I prefer back inflation, but again personnel choice. See if you can try both before you buy one, but either way get a weight intergrated BC, well worth the little extra money. If you do buy a used rental BC, if it is really faded, it was most likely used a lot in the pool for classes and clorine is not kind to them.

Where ever you buy what ever used gear you but GET IT SERVICED by a CERTIFIED shop, and make sure the are certified in the brand you take to them. Also remember it will cost upwards of $150 for a complete regulator service. (First Stage, Second Stage, Octopus, and gauges).

If you have any specific questions shoot me a email at spj8864 (at) gmail (dot) com.

Scott

 

[divinginn]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

It is hard to beat Scuba pro regulators,they just keep going without problems,I have one from the 70s and 3 from the 80s and would put them up against anything new. there are very few parts inside a reg,some o rings and a high and low pressure seat and when you replace those parts it is basically new in side. I would not hesitate to buy a good used reg,just factor in the servicing into the price and after you use a new reg one time you are no longer breathing off a new reg. As for bcds Zeagle make some very nice bcs as do Scuba pro and Seaquest.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used regulator as long as it was checked out by a certified technician first. Check to see what makes your local dive shop(s) are authorized by the manufacturer to service. Then look for those brands, if the seller isn't willing to let you have the reg checked out before you buy then just walk away from the deal.

Lots of people try scuba, buy all the gear then the enthusiasm wears off and the gear sits hardly used.

 

[lombard]

Re: Scuba gear-what should i watch for?

I used to dive quite a bit, but haven't gone for a couple of years. All I can say is that I bought new Atomic regs and love them. I've got a Scubapro rear inflating BC and a Scubapro Air2 BC inflator/octopus combo. Absolutely love them. Rounding out my collection is an Uwatec (Scubapro) air integrated dive computer. Love it as well.