200 bar Valve: Thermo vs. XS Scuba

[grouchyturtle]

Side by side, they look pretty much identical. So, what's so great about XS Scuba, that makes them cost about $10 more?

Nothing against the XS Scuba. I'm a fan of theirs. I've always used Thermo in the past, though. just wondering if there's any real difference.

 

[Leadking]

They own Thermo Valve

 

[grouchyturtle]

Ahh! So there are the same. Your just paying more, because XS's logo is trendier to have these days.

Thanks.

 

[Leadking]

XS brand valve was made in Taiwan, The Thermo brand was made in Japan. XS bought out Thermo. One would have to take each of the current models apart to see if they are identical.

It would depend on whether XS standardized their design and what age the valves are.

 

[zoom5]

The main difference is the new XS ones have that silly green/red thing under the knob so you know if the tank is on or off.

XS Scuba Valves

 

[grouchyturtle]

The main difference is the new XS ones have that silly green/red thing under the knob so you know if the tank is on or off.

XS Scuba Valves

Wow! You have to be kidding me.

 

[Peter_C]

Oh this is awesome! I need one to help me when doing valve drills. That way I can see if my valve is on or off. Wait uh minute... Maybe I should just stick with a flow check

 

[grouchyturtle]

Must go with the new air integrated tank mounted computer!

 

[Akimbo]

Actually, the red/green indicator is very useful for large cylinder filling operations and visual checks by charter boat staff monitoring divers going overboard. We all think that someone has to be really stupid to forget to open one of the 10 cylinder valves at a filling station; until you consider ringing phones, customer questions, and the mind numbing repetitiveness of the task.

I don’t believe XS was under any illusion that it would have value for individual divers wearing it. For something that adds virtually no cost, I find it very cleaver. I believe they credited the suggestion to a charter boat operator when I was discussing another matter with their tech support and complimented the design.

 

[HenrikBP]

I was looking at both awhile ago and found that the use of an o-ring (XS) instead of a crush washer (Thermo) sounded like a good idea. I also thought that the 1 1/2 turn from fully open to fully closed (XS) would be a plus. My instructor however thought that with the 1 1/2 turn you risk unintentionally shutting down a post much easier than with more turns "available".

I really didn't want the red/green thing, so I went with Thermo.

Henrik