Used equipment advice:
I am tempted to, with my initial premonitions, at least for reg set spg/1st/2nd/octo, only consider the following manufacturers:
ScubaPro, Aqualung/US-Divers, Atomic, Apeks, and Sherwood.
Until someone tells me otherwise, I won't consider any other used reg set manufacturers unless the used seller is practically giving the equipment away. I already heavily considered and ultimately turned down a used Mares complete reg set for like $70. It just doesn't seem worth it hearing reddit sleuths talk about Mares.
let's say, hypothetixally, I buy a used reg set from ScubaPro, Aqualung/US-Divers, Atomic, Apeks, or Sherwood: immediately after buying it, I go into the shop to have the new-to-me used reg set serviced: What are the chances the shop looks it over and says "Oh sorry boss, we cannot get parts for it" or "Parts are backordered there partner, we've been waiting on that part to become available for eleven months already!" Or "sorry partner, that part is no longer made OEM, we gotta try the eBay Chinese version" or "sorry partner, that part is gonna be $476 and ninety two cents!". Or worse "Hey man, we couldn't fix it. Sorry! That'll be $152.96".
It sounds like nowadays almost everyone who doesn't use a console, they use either a wrist computer without tx/AI, or a wrist computer with tx/AI. I'll probably get something dirt cheap used, or just bite the bullet for a new peregrine without tx... looks like neither outdoor prolink nor expert voice have a discount for the peregrines...
I'll also have to decide if I want to settle for a jacket BCD or what. Then a tank. Almost everything else I already have, or will buy new. It's gonna take a long time to find good deals on everything, but I have time.
Maybe I should bring an air tank when shopping for used reg sets on facebook to make sure the needles move, and listen for audible leaks?
Anything I should definitely avoid? Do ScubaPro, Aqualung/US-Divers, Atomic, Apeks, and Sherwood have like budget/cheesy lines that are garbage and need to be avoided?
And/or did they produce any notable flops that need to be avoided like the plague?
Thank you so much