I'm a beginner and just picked up a vintage 3 piece aluminum JBL travel kit for $20 at an estate sale. It needs a new band as someone just added paracord to it. I'm wondering if it's a good starter, and does anyone know the value, because I had someone tell me that I over paid since it needs a new band, and another begged me not to use it since it's an Orange, California model. They told me I should resell it as a collectible and buy something newer.
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Vintage JBL Travel Kit Orange, California
- Thread starter Visconti
- Start date
Thread Status: Hello
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These are super cheap to buy from any China-based marketplace with probably better construction and newer bands. So yeah you paid at least 2x of what you can get that for, and if you have to add a new band it's 3x or 4x of what these sell for now (new models).
If you paid 20 bucks for the polespear, you paid a good price. Only the 3 prong costs about USD 14. The three-cut spear point may cost a little more.
The JBL aluminum polespear is a good quality one, not high end but better than any Chinese made one. Also, the JBL aluminum polespear is light and quite fast.
The use of a polespear will teach you to stalk fish better than using a speargun. You can try it and if you don’t get used to it, you may then use a speargun.
The JBL aluminum polespear is a good quality one, not high end but better than any Chinese made one. Also, the JBL aluminum polespear is light and quite fast.
The use of a polespear will teach you to stalk fish better than using a speargun. You can try it and if you don’t get used to it, you may then use a speargun.
Hello!
That JBL aluminum 3‑piece travel spear kit you found is actually a neat collectible. The Orange, California‑made JBL gear is considered vintage, and some divers and collectors value them more for history than for everyday use. The missing band (replaced with paracord) does affect usability, but replacement bands are inexpensive and easy to source. As a starter spear, it’s serviceable once restored, though modern kits are lighter and often more ergonomic.
On value: $20 is not overpaying—these vintage JBL kits often resell for more, especially in good condition, and collectors sometimes prefer them untouched. If you want to dive with it, replacing the band makes it usable; if you’d rather treat it as a collectible, keeping it original may preserve value. In short, you didn’t lose out—whether you use it or resell, it’s a solid find.
Would you like me to check current resale listings so you can compare what similar JBL Orange, CA kits are going for today?
That JBL aluminum 3‑piece travel spear kit you found is actually a neat collectible. The Orange, California‑made JBL gear is considered vintage, and some divers and collectors value them more for history than for everyday use. The missing band (replaced with paracord) does affect usability, but replacement bands are inexpensive and easy to source. As a starter spear, it’s serviceable once restored, though modern kits are lighter and often more ergonomic.
On value: $20 is not overpaying—these vintage JBL kits often resell for more, especially in good condition, and collectors sometimes prefer them untouched. If you want to dive with it, replacing the band makes it usable; if you’d rather treat it as a collectible, keeping it original may preserve value. In short, you didn’t lose out—whether you use it or resell, it’s a solid find.
Would you like me to check current resale listings so you can compare what similar JBL Orange, CA kits are going for today?