DGX Gears vs HOG regulators, which would you choose? why?

[rjack321]

I've never dove an environmentally sealed reg but even though I have no plans to dive where that's really needed, it still seems like it would be a good idea to reduce internal corrosion.

The seal doesn't really do this in practice. The reality is that some tiny fraction of a drop of water is injected into the 1st stage when putting the reg on or from fill station providing a wet fill etc. And the internals of a sealed reg more often than not look similar to an unsealed reg at service time.

 

[RyanT]

Since I was tagged, I'll have to chime in. I'm a huge Deep6 fan. Here's my history.... I started diving in 1985 and dove ScubaPro gear exclusively until I quit diving in 2002. When I came back to diving in 2016, I stumbled across Deep6. I decided to give them a try and everything about them made me switch from SP to Deep6. Their quality is awesome and customer service is second to none. If you want to learn how to service your own regs, your options are really limited for most of the major brands. I took the (easily available) Deep6 course and it was awesome. Not only can I now service my own regs, but I have a solid understanding of how they work (ok, the academic geek in me loves that!).

Finally, I'll add

We approach product development different than others. We decide what we want to make first, set the standard, then see about pricing structure. Not the other way around.

I think Landon is being a bit modest here. If you price their regs compared to some of the other big names, I think you'll find that they are still cheaper. Win-win.

 

[bradlw]

The seal doesn't really do this in practice. The reality is that some tiny fraction of a drop of water is injected into the 1st stage when putting the reg on or from fill station providing a wet fill etc. And the internals of a sealed reg more often than not look similar to an unsealed reg at service time.

I guess I wasn't clear... I meant the water that enters the reg to the ambient side of the diaphragm or piston

 

[rjack321]

I guess I wasn't clear... I meant the water that enters the reg to the ambient side of the diaphragm or piston

I totally know what sealed and unsealed regs are. And sealed regs don't really stay pristine like you'd think. In fact they often trap water/humidity inside and have additional failure modes that unsealed pistons don't have. "Sealed" pistons are not really sealed just packed with grease - environmentally sealed are basically diaphragms.

 

[NothingClever]

My journey with Deep 6 isn’t one of technical specifications and truth in lending, I’m not an impartial source.

I started with Zeagle (meh) and went to Dive Rite (better).

When I trained some more and needed my own deco regs, a mentor (moderator here) recommended I take a look at Deep 6.

I poked around in advance and found three things - 1) owner accessibility and presence; 2) Deep 6’s position on right to repair (RTR); and 3) Chris’ irreverence towards the conventional, head-in-sand minds in the dive industry. Those aspects were refreshing and attractive to me.

I bought the precursor to the Excursion series (Scribble) and they simply performed better than the Dive Rite regs. Gas delivery was noticeably “cleaner” with no downside in cracking sensitivity.

The Zeagles got tossed in a box, the simple little pre-Excursion regs moved forward into backgas duty and the Dive Rites moved into deco gas duty.

I trained some more and wanted to upgrade my regs so I bought the Signature series. Those are on backgas duty, the Excursions are back on deco duty and the Dive Rites are on ST rec duty.

On the odd occasions I’ve dived ST with Landon, he’s never said a single thing to me about the Dive Rite regs. He could’ve easily shamed me about diving a competitor’s regs but never has.

I’m getting another DPV through Deep 6 (most likely a G3.2) and after that purchase I’ll pure fleet my regs to Deep 6. I’ll probably let the Zeagles go for a song and keep the Dive Rites simply out of the subconscious middle class habit of collecting clutter.

I took the D6 maintenance class and it was superb but also helped me realize that my aspirations to disassemble a first stage on a rocking LOB in the middle of a gale storm with a few basic tools are unrealistic. So I bought a spare 1st and 2nd Signature. That doesn’t diminish the value of RTR for me. Why? Because if SHTF overseas six time zones away in a remote location where English is a distant third language (BTDT), I know Landon would get on a Teams call and walk me through how to get my reg repaired and get me back UW.

In my previous career, I enjoyed the best equipment from individual weapons, optics, tactical satellite communications, attack and assault helicopters, close air support, no-fail missiles, blah, blah, blah but more importantly I enjoyed superb, immediately-responsive, no-fail maintenance support to keep the force in the fight. I don’t have that provided to me anymore so I have to arrange that and Deep 6 is who I choose to mount that kind of expeditionary support.

Also, this is the internet. I don’t know why but we get on here and say the stupidest things and go online with the craziest expectations. Landon has exercised incredible restraint in dealing with weirdos whereas I would’ve gone into Ranger Smash mode and I think that says something about his character.

For what it's worth, I can assure you we will be here for long to come.

I can attest to this - this is a factual statement. If you want to find a flaw with Deep 6 it could be the durable solvency relaxes the urgency for a more aggressive marketing campaign. That much said, kicking ScubaPro off the top of the hill isn’t anywhere in Deep 6’s organizational objectives but neither is being at the top of that hill. They’re comfortably standing strong in a niche position in the industry.

Landon is working on warehouse improvements, product initiatives and inhouse prototyping capabilities. The future of Deep 6 Gear is bright and I’m motivated to be a part of it.

For full disclosure, I’ve never been a “free lunch bunch” kind of guy. I don’t ask for, expect or desire a “buddy” discount and Landon doesn’t offer it.

Lastly, I think the Deep 6 logo is bad ass.

OK, here’s a negative comment to keep it real. Deep 6 runs out of inventory before I can get off my butt to buy stuff.

OK, now I’m done.

 

[tbone1004]

right now I'm leaning towards either the
DGX D6
OR
HOG D2 din with classic 2nd's

To those of you that have knowledge and experience of both, which would you choose and why?
and if you'd go a different direction I'm open to hearing about it!

I'm not sure I want to go all the way down to unbalanced regs...especially for the 1st stage, but I'm not closed to the idea for the type of diving I foresee. I had unbalanced regs on my pony bottles before getting into technical diving and the harder breathing with low filled tanks never bothered me... I used to run my seconds "detuned" a little bit for a harder cracking pressure to avoid wasted gas from free-flowing.....never understood folks fascination with "easy breathing" regulators that crack open when I think about drawing a breath but before I actually do breath! (and all the resulting appeal of adjustable venturi vanes, adjustable 2nd seats, etc...)
that said, of course I don't want a total crap reg that's really a hard breather either!

I plan on getting into a shop soon for a hands-on look....but that would only be for the HOG of course unless I make the 4-5 hour drive to DGX
so I'm wondering....is one of these 2nds lighter than the other?
Any other things I might notice if I could get hands-on with both?

port configuration issues maybe, in one or the other? (I'll probably dive a long hose set-up mostly because I used to and still see some good in that idea)​

I've never dove an environmentally sealed reg but even though I have no plans to dive where that's really needed, it still seems like it would be a good idea to reduce internal corrosion. (I've had cheap regs for pony use that have died early deaths from the salt water on the ambient side of the reg internals)

I'm working on getting back into diving after a very long time off. Also getting my wife and three teens certified.

My mission: I do not foresee ever getting back into technical or deep dives beyond 130ft or so. Florida diving.

Just wanting a low-cost solution for easy dives. I was trained in regulator maintenance way back when I was doing my technical stuff, and so getting parts and manuals with DGX is appealing even though I'd probably just have a shop service them most of the time just in the interest of time and laziness.

is local shop service even a thing for the DGX? will anyone service them?​

​

Now I'm just considering getting a set for me so that I can dive my own equipment, but if any of my family get into it I might be buying more sets... so low cost is primary.

since I was tagged, I suppose I'll weigh in.

I do not know the specific second stage weights, but with a long hose setup you will never feel it in your mouth so unless you're counting ounces for exotic flights I wouldn't particularly worry about it.

The D2 port configuration for single tank diving is not something I really love, the 5th port is extremely useful to have and if you aren't diving a drysuit then mounting it sideways is a really clean way for orientation.

I would urge you to consider the Deep6 Signature direct from the Deep6 website though. The regulators are higher quality and better performing, but they also have a low total cost of ownership. The first service is included, and if you take their regulator course you get free parts for life which is extremely appealing.

Local shop is not a thing for the DGX, it is for the Deep6 though, contrary to internet rumors they have plenty of dive shop dealers, though not in Jacksonville to my knowledge.

Also check out @iowacavediver 's shop called Flippers Diving which is in Jacksonville, great place for fills and used gear, so definitely make sure you pop in there.

 

[rjack321]

Also, this is the internet. I don’t know why but we get on here and say the stupidest things and go online with the craziest expectations. Landon has exercised incredible restraint in dealing with weirdos whereas I would’ve gone into Ranger Smash mode and I think that says something about his character.

I feel attacked Although out of all the diaphragm regs out there I would definitely steer towards Deep6 over Xeagles and DGX. Apex I am on the fence about since I already own a bunch of those.

 

[bradlw]

So I guess I need to consider this class for deep6 in order to get the parts.
My understanding is that HOG has the same requirement...so another cost of ownership to consider.
I don't see info on it on either company's sites. I'll have to dig a little deeper I guess when I get some time.

So lots of praises so deep6 sounds like a solid company to deal with. That's good of course. Otherwise, feature for feature maybe the regs are about the same.
Not much love here apparently for the hogs....not much hate either. Hmmm....

 

[NothingClever]

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I feel attacked Although out of all the diaphragm regs out there I would definitely steer towards Deep6 over Xeagles and DGX. Apex I am on the fence about since I already own a bunch of those.

That was totally NOT aimed at you. You’ve always delivered high quality analysis and advice. With regards to D6, there are only two Poindexters that stand out in my memory; the others have just faded into cyber-oblivion.

 

[NothingClever]

Forgot to add a couple of things…

I know of two lucrative offers to buy Deep 6 and Landon didn’t budge so if you’re looking for a business owner committed to raising and caring for his child, there you go.

Bert is Deep 6’s customer service weapon. He turns an annual service quickly (like really fast) but completely and keeps the UPS guys moving. In contrast, I dropped off my Dive Rites at a Dive Rite dealer here in Tampa (ostensibly a dive town) for service and it took them nearly a month.