2nd hand Canon 430EX II

Just a curious question at the minute. Would you buy a second hand/used Canon 430EX II Flash from a second hand store if it were cheaper by £65 than a new one, it comes with a 1 year warranty aswell.

I'm not sure what much can go wrong with them apart from flash unit been heavily used and ceasing to work. Do they have a good history of lasting a long time ? I opted out of this at the last minute due to not been able to make my mind up because of not knowing its history. Right or wrong decison, i'm not sure...

Any feedback welcome...

With a one year warranty you can't go wrong. They do last a long time. I don't read about failures very often besides knowing pros burn them out - the flash tube that can be replaced. Do they have previous owner info?

Either that flash or take a look at brand new Yongnuo 580 if you are not committed to Canon.

Kenhy wrote in post #16703740
Just a curious question at the minute. Would you buy a second hand/used Canon 430EX II Flash from a second hand store if it were cheaper by £65 than a new one, it comes with a 1 year warranty aswell.

I'm not sure what much can go wrong with them apart from flash unit been heavily used and ceasing to work. Do they have a good history of lasting a long time ? I opted out of this at the last minute due to not been able to make my mind up because of not knowing its history. Right or wrong decison, i'm not sure...

Any feedback welcome...

I bought mine used from ffordes, two years later no problems.

Kenhy wrote in post #16703740
Just a curious question at the minute. Would you buy a second hand/used Canon 430EX II Flash from a second hand store if it were cheaper by £65 than a new one, it comes with a 1 year warranty aswell.

I'm not sure what much can go wrong with them apart from flash unit been heavily used and ceasing to work. Do they have a good history of lasting a long time ? I opted out of this at the last minute due to not been able to make my mind up because of not knowing its history. Right or wrong decison, i'm not sure...

Any feedback welcome...

I purchased a used 420EX that has worked like new. Also, I bought the lens from a reputable store that checks used equipment before it's sold and lets the buyer return it with 14 days. That makes a major difference.

digital paradise wrote in post #16703934
With a one year warranty you can't go wrong. They do last a long time. I don't read about failures very often besides knowing pros burn them out - the flash tube that can be replaced. Do they have previous owner info?

Either that flash or take a look at brand new Yongnuo 580 if you are not committed to Canon.

No previous owner history, no box and no manual. Just the unit and bag. I'm gonna add the extra £65 and buy new i think just to be on the safe side. I'm that unlucky me that if i bought it 2nd hand and after 1yr and 1 day, it'll die.

Kenhy wrote in post #16704234
No previous owner history, no box and no manual. Just the unit and bag. I'm gonna add the extra £65 and buy new i think just to be on the safe side. I'm that unlucky me that if i bought it 2nd hand and after 1yr and 1 day, it'll die.

If its going to fail for any major reason do to abuse it will probably show up in less than a year. If I had a box and an manual would you pay me £65 for it?

Kenhy wrote in post #16704234
I'm that unlucky me that if i bought it 2nd hand and after 1yr and 1 day, it'll die.

Isn't the Canon warranty only a year as well?

D Thompson wrote in post #16704672
Isn't the Canon warranty only a year as well?

yup

I've had couple of secondhand speedlites (canon & nikon) but no problems.
I would avoid abused unit by pros, though.

add my 2p
I use my 430ex2 at work 3 days a week with pretty heavy usage and I bought it 2nd hand 15 months ago and it has never missed a beat

I got my 430 EX II second hand from a POTN member. It has worked flawlessly ever since I got it (about 1 year ago).

Cheers for the help/replies everyone. Appreciated.