"I advise new divers to not buy used gear"

[SlugLife]

Right now it is drinking from the firehose trying to digest the amazing amount of accumulated knowledge on the board!

My advice is start with one thing or component at a time. Don't try to master the entire list of fins/regulators/tanks/bcds/etc. It's also okay to start with relatively inexpensive gear, with the idea that you'll replace it later.

That said, if you have a hint of DIY in your blood, a good place to start is with a single-tank backplate+wing BCD setup (abbreviated "BPW"). The basic parts are (a) a backplate (b) the wing/BCD/bladder (c) the harness. You can get entire packages, dive gear express has a few good and more affordable ones. The harness itself you can even go for a "once piece" setup, which is basically some webbing and then add a buckle and d-rings as needed.

edit: There's usually a health used-fins market as well, and fins aren't that complex. Finding the "perfect" or "right" fins for your needs might be complex, but initially you'll mostly just need a pair of fins that aren't terrible. I'm always seeing lots of used fins on CraigsList. Ideally, "open heel" fins intended for SCUBA. Mares Avanti Quattro are a good "all around" fin that I often see used, but there are dozens of other good fins to choose from as well.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

You have really know what you’re getting with used gear. Most of my used stuff was either given to me, traded, or obtained in some way from someone here on SB.
But there’s also the thing of lots and lots of garages and storage units full of very lightly used scuba gear that was used a few years and then forgotten about. That stuff is generally in very good shape.
You need to know about brands and models pretty well to know what you like, then seek out those things based on your acquired knowledge of that particular item. That takes time to learn.
That’s what DIY’ers do, they learn what they like and want to collect, then they seek those things and the knowledge to work on them plus where to acquire parts. It’s hobby and a love of gear, labor of love? maybe not so much of a money saving deal all the time, but some people get a sense of confidence knowing how their reg works inside and knowing what they did to it, so there is no mystery of what was done or how it was done. I think DIY’ers are much more anal and thorough on average than a typical slam bam reg tech in a shop knocking those things out one after another.

I bought a brand new reg set when I first started as my main reg, then two more brand new regs of various qualities for ponies and stage bottles etc.
All my other regs are used and I love all of them.

 

[smitty341]

It comes down to what you think you’d like to get in to, and what your budget can afford. I bought all SB equipment when I first got into diving. 15 years later and I still have the bcd and regs for recreational diving. Hear from the big manufacturers will last if you keep up with the maintenance. When I got into technical diving I started buying more used gear as the quantity of equipment required increased along with my understanding of what I needed and didn’t need. You can find used Shearwater computers on the marketplaces for good prices. It’s been mentioned but DGX has a good BPW setup for a great price, I’d stick to new for suits as fit matters, regs last if you take care of them, you can buy used but factor in the service cost and you’re almost at the price of some of the new regs. You can get good regs from Diverite and Deep6

 

[DXHI]

I don’t have a lot of money. But I save to buy new.. most of the time I’m happy and buying from my dive shop. Biggest thing for me is service after the sale

 

[Kevin Gonzalez]

Hello,
One thing many seem to be overlooking (even some Dive Store Owners) is that Dive stores are in the business of selling equipment. Equipment sales are the lifeblood of any Dive Store. New or used, especially new. I buy and a lot of used (sometimes barely) and sell it. I always service any used regs that I sell. If you find good quality used equipment and get it serviced you may get a great deal. Buy new if your budget permits. I will say though some of these Manufacturer's are getting a bit out of control with $1500 BC's and Regulators. My store has been open for 38 plus years

 

[Green Frog]

I started my SCUBA career working part time in a dive shop. one of the first specialty courses I took was PADI Equipment Specialist. I've bought new masks, fins snorkels, and dive skins, but everything else I've purchased has been at least lightly used. I've never regretted any of my purchases, but I'm wondering whether the used BPW I just got may break that trend... if the shoulder valve leak in the wing can't be fixed by just replacing the gasket and I have to get a new wing, the screaming deal drops to break even. By the way, old (quality) regulators, if not damaged, abused, or seriously neglected, can be a bargain. I found a like NOS Conshelf XIV 30 years ago and refuse to give it up. I haven't found reason to give it up.

This has worked for me for the last 30 years, but YMMV.

 

[ROUS]

As a poor college student learning to dive back in the 70s, you'd be horrified to hear about the hand-me-down gear I dove with. It's just a whole new world now.

 

[Celt]

New divers are a bit too trusting of other divers and think they won’t sell them bum gear. Buying used diving gear is the same as buying anything used. Buyer beware. Know who you’re buying from.

 

[undrwater]

As a recreational diver, the most important factor is to have a plan when your gear fails. Then practice that plan.

All gear (new and used) can fail.

 

[Wibble]

I started my SCUBA career working part time in a dive shop. one of the first specialty courses I took was PADI Equipment Specialist. I've bought new masks, fins snorkels, and dive skins, but everything else I've purchased has been at least lightly used. I've never regretted any of my purchases, but I'm wondering whether the used BPW I just got may break that trend... if the shoulder valve leak in the wing can't be fixed by just replacing the gasket and I have to get a new wing, the screaming deal drops to break even. By the way, old (quality) regulators, if not damaged, abused, or seriously neglected, can be a bargain. I found a like NOS Conshelf XIV 30 years ago and refuse to give it up. I haven't found reason to give it up.

This has worked for me for the last 30 years, but YMMV.

You may be able to get a replacement bladder for the wing if it’s a decent quality wing.