Anti ScubaPro bias?

[lowviz]

I quit buying ScubaPro gear when ... all of the above happened well before the shenanigans with the parts programs.

The part that drives me insane (OK, close enough that I might not have to drive) is that SP has a closet following who are dying to share the love yet SP takes every possible opportunity to keep as far from their end users as possible.

All they would have to do to begin reparations is to reinstate the SP timeline along with service docs for everything on it...

 

[scubadada]

I quit buying ScubaPro gear when it was acquired by Johnson Outdoors who had previously bought UWATEC. UWATEC and later Johnson Outdoors would not come clean over a defect in their computers:

UWATEC Settles Over Dive Computer: Undercurrent 05/2005

I sold my non defective UWATEC computer after that but still have some really old SP gear that is basically worthless.

Note: all of the above happened well before the shenanigans with the parts programs.

CPSC, UWATEC AG Announce Recall of 1995 Aladin Air X NitrOx Dive Computers

 

[Scared Silly]

CPSC, UWATEC AG Announce Recall of 1995 Aladin Air X NitrOx Dive Computers

Yeah, that came out after they had been sued multiple times and the memos about the flaw had been released.

 

[kelemvor]

which features? I'd like the haptic alarm on the Nerd2 and the Petrel 2 divecan controllers to give alarms from the rebreather, but wouldn't do much good on a standalone

The audible and haptic alarms were the only remaining feature that was standard on all high end dive computers except those made by Shearwater - until now. I'm sure there are a group of people who all went to the hospital with heart attacks when they saw the announcement. Not coincidentally, probably the very same group that was adamant shearwater should never add AI prior to the release of perdix.

So basically, I want a perdix 2 or petrel 3 or some full-size unit with the alarm features added. Nerd +alarms would be cool too, although I've never tried a nerd (well, not the dive computer version) and I'm on the fence about whether or not I'd like a HUD computer.

 

[Joneill]

The audible and haptic alarms were the only remaining feature that was standard on all high end dive computers except those made by Shearwater - until now. I'm sure there are a group of people who all went to the hospital with heart attacks when they saw the announcement. Not coincidentally, probably the very same group that was adamant shearwater should never add AI prior to the release of perdix.

So basically, I want a perdix 2 or petrel 3 or some full-size unit with the alarm features added. Nerd +alarms would be cool too, although I've never tried a nerd (well, not the dive computer version) and I'm on the fence about whether or not I'd like a HUD computer.

Adding alarms to a Perdix 2 would be nice - but make it "alarm" (singular - haptic only) - audible alarms should be illegal!

 

[tbone1004]

The audible and haptic alarms were the only remaining feature that was standard on all high end dive computers except those made by Shearwater - until now. I'm sure there are a group of people who all went to the hospital with heart attacks when they saw the announcement. Not coincidentally, probably the very same group that was adamant shearwater should never add AI prior to the release of perdix.

So basically, I want a perdix 2 or petrel 3 or some full-size unit with the alarm features added. Nerd +alarms would be cool too, although I've never tried a nerd (well, not the dive computer version) and I'm on the fence about whether or not I'd like a HUD computer.

agreed on haptic, I see literally no point in audible alarms because you can't ever track them in the water. Make it vibe you know it's you, don't annoy everyone else if you have an alarm. I hope/assume the Teric has the same "confirm" feature on the alarms for the rest of them and stops yelling at you even if you continue to violate whatever alarm is set

 

[boulderjohn]

On my first dive in the Bahamas, off of Andros Island, I heard a beeping noise, which I interpreted as a computer alarm. I was pretty sure my computer did not have any such alarm, so I looked around to see whose computer alarm was beeping. Because of the speed sound travels underwater, it was impossible to tell the direction from which the sound was coming. Before long, I realized that everyone else who was diving was looking around, too, probably for the same reason.

Back on the boat, the mystery was solved. Not too far away was a U.S. Navy submarine base. We were listening to sonar pings--and they were just as annoying as computer warning pings.

 

[TheGraveyardDiver]

I have two scubaPro regs, fins, mask, and a few other baubles.
You pay a premium for that name brand, and no other reason.
I buy SP because that's the only reputable reliable dive shop in town. If I had a choice I'd buy cheaper. But if I buy an AquaLung regulator, I have to take it to a shop 150 miles away to get it serviced.

The only thing I don't like about ScubaPro is when you walk into a ScubaPro dealer dive shop, and tell them you own something that isn't ScubaPro, the brainwashed technician or counter person looks at you in horror and plainly guarantees you that you are surely gonna die on your next dive because your "inferior, junky cheap" gear isn't ScubaPro.

The first SCUBAPRO regulator I bought from them breathed hard. I took it back to them and the technician looked at it, done some adjustment on the bench, and returned it to me. First thing he said was, "You must have bought this online. such-and-such needed adjusting. We bench test ALL our regulators when they come in. If you had bought local and not buy stuff online you wouldn't have that problem." I smiled and said, "I bought this reg here last week from Jon."

The second SCUBAPRO regulator I bought from them squealed like a train putting on brakes every time I inhaled. Same thing. I took it back and they adjusted it, now it sounds right. Tech had to turn the seat 1/4 turn he said.

The first SCUBAPRO computer I bought from them read 10 feet shallower than my actual depth. I took it back to the shop. They checked all the settings to make sure I hadn't set something wrong, pressure tested it, yada yada yada. Claimed nothing was wrong with it. I compared it to my buddies computer on the next dive, and compared it to my Shearwater....10 feet shallow all the time. When I was doing a safety stop it told me I was on the surface, or just a few feet under. Took it back to the dive shop and they sent it back to ScubaPro. It came back a couple of weeks later with the ScubaPro tech saying they put it in their chamber and found nothing wrong with it.
Amazingly, on my next dive, it read the same as my buddies computer and the same as my shearwater. I wrote it off as something that was "stuck" and got "unstuck" during shipment back, or they fixed it and didn't want to fess up that they had to fix it for some reason.

 

[GrafCanuck]

I have an MK25/S600, Knighthawk BCD and 3mm Definition wetsuit. I did not pay list for any of this SP gear. I have Mares fins and boots. I bought a 2nd hand Shearwater Petrel 2. All in all I'm happy with all of my purchases. As I gain more real diving experiences, I will learn more about the +'s and -'s of the gear that I current have. The good news is that we have manufacturer options. If Deep6 had more of a presence in Canada I would strongly consider them due to the reviews on the Board.

 

[rhwestfall]

I have always had and appreciation for SP regs.... MK-5 & MK-10 garage sale finds when I started 30 years ago. Added many (MK-2, MK-15, MK-17, MK-20/25), and then started collecting vintage models (MK-3). Along with those are a whole stable of seconds. The 109/156 was what I started with, and really enjoyed them. Added the G250 to the collection when I could find sweet deals (G250/250Graphite/G250v). Also ended up with some others (G250HP, S555/600, G200b), then started into vintage (Air1, Pilot, and 108HP). Still have Air2 units from my early days too (2nd thru newest generation). Wife has a 4 generation as she still wanted one.

Honestly, there regulators are great! I do all my own service, and source "black market" kits when needed. The only other SP stuff we have are the Wife's old BC, some gifted BC's, and some Jets (camo edition), and an odd mask. I used to frequent SP shops that were here.

I wouldn't buy anything new, nor would I likely buy any other gear except used regulators.....

YMMV

(FWIW - I also have HOG, Deep6, Poseidon, and a bunch of DH regs (Kraken, USD (modified), Voit)