Curious Question - Why Buy New Regulators?

[lobbolt]

Hello ScubaBoard,

I have a question out of curiosity: why would anyone ever buy NEW regulators, since the purchase doesn't seem to make as much financial sense as buying (depending on condition) used regulators.

Since, if a qualified technician can restore and service the regulator, it should be as good as new except for maybe cosmetic scratches, right?

This is my guess why new regulators are bought:
- Social status, kind of like buying new cars, buying for the prestige badge.
- Knowing the regulator's previous condition.

I bought brand new regulators 8 years ago :shakehead:. Now, it never seems to make much financial sense as buying used (depending on condition), but still under the regional dealer's sales network (therefore qualifying for free service, only parts are charged).

:confused::confused:

What's your take on this? Does it make financial sense to buy new regulators?

[Nosnhoj]

As soon as my instructor on my open water certification told me "If you are going to be sick, puke into your regulator..." I knew I was buying my own! Financial sense or not.

[Easdem]

most manufacturers only extend the free parts to the first owner.

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[chrpai]

For me, I shopped for used regs. The problem was most sellers who had gear I'd want to dive had too inflated of an opinion on the value of their equipment. By the time I serviced the equipment it'd be about the same price as new.

If I had weeks to spend looking for a reg then maybe I could have come across an awesome deal that made sense. ( Ironically a poster on this board advertised something on this board at an inflated price and weeks later came down to a realistic price. But by then, I'd already bought my new reg. )

I assure you don't buy new because I'm some super cool elite snobe who wants to own a status symbol.

[Lemna]

I bought new ones: once I factored in a checkup or rebuild to the price of used ones, the difference was only minor. Add the warranty to that, and it made even less sense.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

You may find on the low end the price of a new reg through an on-line or discount source is very competitive once you add in the cost of a full service needed for purchasing a used reg.

The next question after buying new vs used is why would the typical rec diver buy a premium vs a basic work horse? I am not saying there is not a difference or never a valid reason to spend big, but most divers at 100' will never notice it and way to often they get sucked into paying a premium for top shelf products because its 'life support gear' or 'free parts for life' or 'its adjustable'

[chrpai]

The next question after buying new vs used is why would the typical rec diver buy a premium vs a basic work horse? I am not saying there is not a difference or never a valid reason to spend big, but most divers at 100' will never notice it and way to often they get sucked into paying a premium for top shelf products because its 'life support gear' or 'free parts for life' or 'its adjustable'

I went with the Hog D1. Great performance and great price. And I really appreciate their attitude regarding self service and open availability of parts.

[DevonDiver]

Ssssshhhhhhh! Let's keep the 2nd-hand market lucrative ;)

[halocline]

Hello ScubaBoard,

I have a question out of curiosity: why would anyone ever buy NEW regulators, since the purchase doesn't seem to make as much financial sense as buying (depending on condition) used regulators.

Since, if a qualified technician can restore and service the regulator, it should be as good as new except for maybe cosmetic scratches, right?



My answer is that is absolutely does not make financial sense to buy new regulators, and while I bought my first reg new (right out of OW class) I would never do so again. Another factor you did not mention is that unlike some other gear, regulators have not really improved in decades.

People buy new regulators for who knows why, but certainly a contributing factor is fear of the unknown. If all divers really understood how regulators worked and could perform simple servicing and evaluation of them, used regs would be much more popular.

[elan]

I bought most of my regs new but on a sale. If I bought used and had them serviced the price would be the same. Its quite easy to make a choice same money but its new instead of serviced.
I find that the used do get damaged. In many cases not by the diver but from overservicing. Regulator monkeys scratch critical parts, overtighten the connections etc etc. so buying a used reg is a game.

And after all companies do not produce used regs, they produce new regs. So at some point the reg has to be new. The less new regs are sold the higher the prices on the new reg and thus on the used regs. So the market sets the equlibrium.

[Bob DBF]

Over the years I have picked up two "new" regs, both were demos and at a reasonable price so I don't know if they are considered new.

I also have three working used reg sets, but I buy cheap so if it's shot I'm not out much. I don't need a reg so I can afford to be picky.



Bob
-------------------------
I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.

[theduckguru]

There are a number of really valid reasons to buy new or used. It depends on how much you utilize it, what you are buying, what you pay for it, what it costs to service it, and in some cases what you can resell it for.

[vladimir]

This is my guess why new regulators are bought:
- Social status, kind of like buying new cars, buying for the prestige badge.
You hit the nail on the head there, pal. I spent a pile of cash on a fancy watch and bespoke shoes and suits, but nobody seemed to notice. It was only when I started wearing my brand-spanking-new Atomic M1 out to social functions that I got the attention a man in my position deserves.

:D

[awap]

If you want a current production regulator, want a manufacturer's warranty, and you plan to have it serviced IAW the manufacturer's requirements; then it may be hard to reliably beat the price of a new regulator.

I only buy used regulators. I prefer older, out of production models over current models. I buy them fairly cheaply - about $30 per stage. I restore and service them myself. The initial restoration probably costs about $20 per stage on average. Subsequent service usually occurs with a 3 to 5 year interval and costs about $5 per stage on average. I see little value in a manufacturer's warranty, especially when you consider the cost of maintaining that warranty.

Which way should a diver go - figure out which group you fit in.

[supergaijin]

Also depends on how much you're shelling out in the first place.

Buying a new, state-of the-art (read untested in the real world) reg with all the bling is throwing money in to the wind IMO. On the other hand, buying a reg new, as opposed to a new reg is not a bad thing.

There can always be potential problems buying second hand if you don't know what to look out for. Most internet purchases will be sight-unseen and this can lead to problems and expensive replacement parts if the original owner didn't keep it in good nick. For example, the owner let a bit of salt or crud in to the first stage. Usually a $30 overhaul kit will be enough, but sometimes more expensive internal parts can be compromised.

I advise to buy new, but not the latest model. A good working model will still be sold years after it first came out.

[cbrich]

And Scuba itself make financial sense? It's another hobby, just like golf, hunting, fishing, bicycles, motorcycles, and any other hobby. I buy new and used just because I want too.

If I looked at how much I have spent on scuba, boats, motorcycles, RC cars, guns (it's been 18 years since the last time I was hunting) and bicycles; I could have paid off my house within 5 years. Tell me which makes financial sense, having a hobby or paying of a home? I would pick a hobby because I don't make financial sense; I just make sure I am not in debt :rofl3:.

[Zung]

... and while I bought my first reg new (right out of OW class) I would never do so again...

I'm a slow learner, so it took me 2 tries... :)

Now that I know where to look, the 2nd hand market is so incredible that I can see no reason why I should buy new: slightly OT, but I got a Scubapro Glide BCD for my #1 son, VGC, for $20, and then a Classic for my #2 son, also VGC, for $50.