Any Thoughts on older gear?

[sbrody]

A little background: Back in '93 I took a dive classes and got certified. I purchased a Oceanic Divemax sport computer, US divers Conshelf 21 regulator and octopus. For some reason I never dove again nad never used the equiptment. Not once. Never got it wet. For the last 11 years it's been n my garage.

Recently regained an interest in diving after a family vacation in Maui.

Anyone have any info on this gear? I know it will need a check out at a dive shop. What I don't want is to be sold a bunch of new gear if this stuff just needs a couple of new O rings and a battery.

What do you think?

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The Conshelf 21 is a solid regulator and should be good to go once it gets an annual service. Aqualung provides full parts support and I see about one a week come through the shop so there is no reason it cannot be serviced and put back into use.

I am not familiar with the Oceanic Divemax computer but I am assuming it is one of the various Pelagic made hockey puck style computers like most other ocieanic computers of the period. If so, it should do fine for recreational, no deco, air only diving and should have a pair of user replaceable 2032 type batteries.

 

[pipedope]

The Conshelf 21 is a nice reg, I dive one. All it should need is a rebuild.

The Datamax Sport should be fine with new batteries. The early ones had batteries that you could not change yourself. They soon changed them and made the batteries user replaceable.

 

[RIDIVER501]

I would get the gear serviced then take it on a conservative test dive. it should be fine but better safe then sorry

 

[Allison Finch]

Heck, I still have the 2nd stage of my Scuba Pro Mark I (Circa 1969) regulator and, until a couple of years ago, was using my Scuba Pro Mark 7 (circa 1971) regulator with the MkI as an octopus. People started giving me wierd looks, even though the stuff worked well and was carefully maintained, as all my gear is.
I just got shamed into buying newer stuff. BTW, I had to put another lead weight on my belt when I got rid of that reg. You "oldies" know what I mean!

 

[garyfotodiver]

Most of my gear is from 1995 and gets used occasionally. I service my USD Conshelf SE3 regulator yearly. Everything sits in a closet until it is used and I have not had any troubles.

No reason to purchase new again.

 

[sbrody]

Thanks, all.
I took it back to the Shop where I originally purchased it (Dolphin Scuba in Sacramento), today. The service Technician was amazed at the condition (not surprising, since it was never used). He echoed what you all said and the regulator and octopuss are now undergoing a good going over. Alas, the computer was another matter. While it would fire up, it would just as quickliy die. The Tech diagnosed a dying battery. I guess batteries only last so long, even if they aren't used. He also advised that the battery was not field serviceable, and doubted that Oceanic would care to mess with it, since it was so old. The upshot was that Oceanic would upgrade me to a VEO 100 (basically an update of my old computer) for $175.00 or to a VEO 200 (similar to the 100, but Nitrox capable) for $215.00.
Nitrox was fairly new when I was certified and I'm not sure I'll ever use that feature. On the other hand, the price difference ain't much.

Anyone got any thoughts on the computer issue?

 

[Damselfish]

go for the Nitrox capable, as you say not much difference in price and you just may find yourself wanting it.

 

[garyfotodiver]

go for the Nitrox capable, as you say not much difference in price and you just may find yourself wanting it.

Agreed. That seems to be a good deal.

Good Luck!

 

[Scuba_John]

Insurance Companies see scuba equipment as a long term item. Life time is 20+ years. My oceanic starter rig is still the one I always go back to. Granted I have updated the regs and computer but even there I run Mircas. Service service service and it will last a lifetime.