ADVICE: ScubaPro MK5 with G250, SPG, and inflator hose?

[CoasterFreak]

Howdy y'all! I don't normally don't do this, but since it is a unique situation, I am hoping to get some advice from the experts.

A couple of weeks ago I picked up a ScubaPro MK5 regulator with a single G250 second-stage, SPG, and inflator hose in a larger set of used gear. Hooked it up, second stage was leaking, so I took it to the local SP LDS for a servicing, not really planning on keeping it except for a backup. Good news is it sounds like they did a great job servicing it (as expected). Bad news is I had let them know how much I wanted to spend getting it serviced (call if going over), but found out later that it was ready, and the service price was higher than I asked (~$90). When I called back to discuss the "overage", I was offered $50 for the set, with the claim they could sell it for $175.

Now when I look on eBay for similar sets, I don't see any but one of these regulator sets going anywhere near $175 (or $140 for that matter).

So what would you do? Cut your loss and take the $50? Or pay the $90 and try to sell on SB, C-List, or eBay?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ffdiver]

Ask for $100. If they sell it they can still make money.

 

[oly5050user]

this is very often the problem in buying used regulators..getting the thing serviced very often runs about $20. labor per stage plus parts. Parts have increased in cost dramatically this past year so much that at times it makes more sense to buy new with a warranty that includes parts for life. I say pay the $90. service charge, thats actually reasonable, and use the regulator. something similar new would cost over $600. Here in NY usual charge for 1st/2nd/alt air source service runs $140.+ if not under warranty. With warranty runs $60.-$80.

 

[agilis]

Did they service both the g250 and the Mk5? The SPG? if they did, the price is reasonable. Keep the set, but learn to do at least your own g250 second stage service. Simple as pie. The combination, if in nice clean condition, is at least as good as new equipment you will pay 5 to 6 hundred for, very possibly better.

It does not surprise me they'd rather sell it. Many divers realize just how much better this particular vintage equipment is compared to most new equipment. It's legendary, and for good reason. If the SPG tops off at a low number, like 3500lbs, you might want to replace it. 4000 or higher you are probably good to go.

 

[CoasterFreak]

thanks for the advice everyone! Yes they did service both the MK5 and the G250. I am still honestly on the fence about this, but am headed to the dive shop early in the morning. I gotta ask - anyone interested in buying this off of me? If so, feel free to PM me with an offer.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I don't know what you normally use but you might consider keeping it and selling whatever it is you're using now.
You can't get much better than those.

 

[scubafanatic]

In Texas, an out-of-warranty typical reg annual service runs about $ 125-ish, so $ 90 sounds like you got a decent price on the service, on which you admit they did a good job. You bought it as a back up reg set, and it sounds like now you have a decent, nicely serviced back up reg set, so I don't see the problem ? You never mentioned your original 'planned' service cost and now much over budget they went, are we talking $ 20 - $ 40 over ? If 'yes', big deal, you'll waste far more of your time and $ chasing after this than is justified.

 

[CoasterFreak]

Thanks all. I went ahead and paid for the service. I'll be trying it out on a trial run probably in a pool here in the next couple of months and then decide whether to put it up for sale, or maybe my current set, either one.

 

[elan]

Keep Mk5 G250 its one of the greatest regs.

 

[ams511]

OP, if the G250 was sold with the MK-5 chances are it was a older version with an old poppet. They probably upgraded that some and internals which is why they went over your budget. Parts and info are available on line so next service (2 or more years from now) you can service it yourself.