ScubaBunga
Contributor
Used gear is fun, but I bought all new when I first started ('94) as I didn't know anything to judge used gear. I've bought several sets (reg sets and BC's for both my boys and a couple spares), but I bought what I knew and serviced myself already. As other's have recommended, talk to your LDS (hopefully it's one of the good ones) - either to see if they have used gear, differences about gear, your usage/plans, etc. Of course they want to sell you new stuff and if you plan on doing a lot of diving, new might be a good investment. I still dive that same set I bought in '94 with the computer I bought a few years later. Most of the stuff I bought off ebay did require service. The one AI computer was missing the orings in the quick release swivel, but since I bought what I had/knew, I had extras on hand and it was a few minute fix. Until you know more about the gear, I would be hesitant to buy ebay or facebook - but if supported by your LDS, used through them may be good. One shop near here used to have a spring swap sale - you could buy from others but could ask the LDS right there about the gear. Good luck.