What to look out for when buying Second hand flashes?

[Khairi Noorazha]

Im looking at getting a 2nd hand 580ex2. What are the flaws and things to check for?

 

[rhino123]

Im looking at getting a 2nd hand 580ex2. What are the flaws and things to check for?

read the tips given here,

http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/190896-Testing-second-hand-flash-before-buying

many of them are quite valid, like check the lens over the flash unit is not yellowed

 

[Shizuma]

flash must minimally fire using pilot button.

able to iterate through all stated flash steps

able to ttl meter if such feature provided.
compatible with stated triggers and fires in command

physical check for drop marks and smell for burned plastic smell.