Apeks and Aqualung regulator service

[twistypencil]

My local regulator service techs told me that Apeks/Aqualung/US Divers regulators have been sitting in their workshop waiting for parts for over 4 months, they aren't getting any calls back from the service reps, emails are not being returned, Supposedly they were bought by a hedge fund and they fired everyone except 7 people.

Anyone know more info about what is going on? How are people getting their gear serviced considering this situation?

 

[scubadada]

Info - Aqualung Financial Troubles

It seems like Aqualung has some financial troubles that puts it at some degree of risk of bankruptcy. They have been given a hard timeline to implement a 'get-well' plan . I am just throwing this out there for discussion. I am mostly interested in the old heads that have seen this situation...

scubaboard.com

 

[Nemrod]

My local regulator service techs told me that Apeks/Aqualung/US Divers regulators have been sitting in their workshop waiting for parts for over 4 months, they aren't getting any calls back from the service reps, emails are not being returned, Supposedly they were bought by a hedge fund and they fired everyone except 7 people.

Anyone know more info about what is going on? How are people getting their gear serviced considering this situation?

I have had the same difficulty for a couple of years now getting parts and stores have told me that AL is unresponsive. The issue is that AL, which also owns Apeks, has now been sold to a holding investment company.

BARINGS COMPLETES THE ACQUISITION OF AQUALUNG GROUP - DiveNewswire

Aqualung Group pioneered the creation of modern diving equipment in 1943 when Captain Jacques-Yves Cousteau teamed with Émile Gagnan to develop the first “aqua-lung” regulator that made underwater exploration possible. Today, the brand continues to be the leading global designer and...

www.divenewswire.com

The previous parent company had been sucking cash out of AL and there seems possibly to have been some inappropriate financial dealings, that is for the courts of France to decide if it progresses. As for now, I would not purchase major items like regulators from either company until we see how the new arrangement works out.

 

[runsongas]

aftermarket service kits, import service kits from UK/EU, and DIY

 

[happy-diver]

Considering regs are generally serviced too much with parts that don't need replacing being replaced
I have unless I see some issue, probably the longest service intervals, in the history of service intervals

 

[rsingler]

Yeah, I'm still waiting on a replacement Apeks reg body for a customer. Three months now.

Overrated. Underperforming. I fail to see the reason for the tech community's love for Apeks.
Add to that the flimsy plastic case for the new "cold water, rugged" MTX-RC, and it's just off my radar.

Aqualung made good stuff (their yoke ACD excepted), but the financial difficulties make me worry.

The good news is that there are enough aftermarket suppliers out there that we can keep what we've got going for decades. But new Apeks or Aqualung? No way, barring some real good news on the financial front.

Between that and Scubapro's refusal to consider DIY, I'm just glad we have Deep6, DGX, and now, maybe Scubagaskets supporting DIY.

Until Dive Rite and HOG climb off their high horses, I'll stick with the folks that support us with spare parts as well as just service kits. I took the HOG course and am certified by a wide variety of manufacturers, but still can't get access to their newer service manuals. Really?