Chinese generic regulators - fit-for-purpose or not?

[Diver below 83]

When I look at the following wings, they all look the same.
Scuba Dive Donut Wing Single Tank 30lb/13.3kg Dive BCD Buoyancy Compensator | eBay
Donut 13 Camo (13kg/29lbs) for mono tank, built in mono adaptor | Katalog Tecline
Deep 6 Gear 13.5kg/30lb Single Tank Wing

With the eBay wing actually looking to have a heavier shell. Most scuba equipment is made in a limited number of factories. So the above wings can all be made in the same factory.

If you want a camo wing, Oxycheq makes one. The list price is $400.

Ya the eBay wing seems to use a heavier shell material. The camo pattern on that particular wing is multicam. Which is what I like. The tecline wing is digi camo. Not a fan. The oxycheq is also digi cam in green. But they do make a blue travel wing in standard camo pattern. All that being said I wouldn’t buy a wing just for the color. That’s why I was curious more about custom shells. Maybe after I get a reliable set up with a solid wing I might grab one of those eBay ones for fun

 

[ams511]

They are real cheap (price). Something is not right.

This S560/MK-11 is $520. This S550/MK-17 is $165. The difference is the MK-17 is sealed will the MK-11 is not. The S560 has diver adjustment while the S550 does not. Tabata is a Japanese OEM for Scubapro. They sell some SP designs (which this is) and some of their own. You can add the knob and related parts and upgrade the S550 to a S560.

 

[ams511]

Ya the eBay wing seems to use a heavier shell material. The camo pattern on that particular wing is multicam. Which is what I like. The tecline wing is digi camo. Not a fan. The oxycheq is also digi cam in green. But they do make a blue travel wing in standard camo pattern. All that being said I wouldn’t buy a wing just for the color. That’s why I was curious more about custom shells. Maybe after I get a reliable set up with a solid wing I might grab one of those eBay ones for fun

You missed my point. The eBay, Techline and Deep6 are more likely than not made in the same plant using the same workers and materials. The difference is in the branding. Companies like Hog, UTD, Deep6, DRIS, DGX, and others resell products from the Far East. Some vendors modify the products more than others.

 

[Diver below 83]

You missed my point. The eBay, Techline and Deep6 are more likely than not made in the same plant using the same workers and materials. The difference is in the branding. Companies like Hog, UTD, Deep6, DRIS, DGX, and others resell products from the Far East. Some vendors modify the products more than others.

I understand that completely. But the materials used on the interior bladders and shells are different if you look at the specs. So the materials are not the same. There are also slight differences is the designs and layouts. It’s like the deep 6 signature set vs dgx deep 6 set. Similar but not the same.

 

[ams511]

I understand that completely. But the materials used on the interior bladders and shells are different if you look at the specs. So the materials are not the same. There are also slight differences is the designs and layouts. It’s like the deep 6 signature set vs dgx deep 6 set. Similar but not the same.

As I mentioned there is some customization done. I would assume the reseller would pick a pattern and material and the vendor would manufacture the unit. I looked into this years ago as a side business before every company jumped on the BP/W bandwagon. If the vendor is truthful this appears to be a quality wing.

 

[Diver below 83]

As I mentioned there is some customization done. I would assume the reseller would pick a pattern and material and the vendor would manufacture the unit. I looked into this years ago as a side business before every company jumped on the BP/W bandwagon. If the vendor is truthful this appears to be a quality wing.

I agree there. “If the vender is truthful” and there in lies the problem. Based off the specs yes it’s technically better material wise so it should stand up to more abuse. I personally don’t want to take a chance for $160 as my first wing. I’d prefer to get a solid tested wing (vdh, deep6 dgx) etc where if I have an issue I should have a company that will help me. eBay is a crap shoot. That’s why I was more focused on the shell. Though then I would lose the built in cording on the vdh etc. don’t get me wrong. I do plan to buy one of the eBay ones at some point since no one seems to offer a multicam.

 

[ams511]

If you are so financially-challenged to even remotely contemplate trusting your life to Chinese made dive gear, you Really need to take up a different sport, you can't afford to scuba.

This is a very racist remark. The Chinese can make quality products the same as anyone else. The Chinese make crap because that is what the Walmarts of this world want. The computer you are using is probably made in China. Where is your TV made? Many of the smaller vendors are probably selling gear made in China. Years ago I purchased a cheap Pro Dive regulator at Sports Authority for $20 and it works just as well if not better as one of those Aqualung puck octos.

When Chris started HOG, people complained because the price was too low. How can a regulator be so cheap, your gonna die, Your ripping-off Apeks, etc. The funny part is that HOG was not any cheaper in the US, as Apeks was in the UK. It is just that we get screwed here with the higher price.

 

[Marie13]

This is a very racist remark. The Chinese can make quality products the same as anyone else. The Chinese make crap because that is what the Walmarts of this world want. The computer you are using is probably made in China. Where is your TV made? Many of the smaller vendors are probably selling gear made in China. Years ago I purchased a cheap Pro Dive regulator at Sports Authority for $20 and it works just as well if not better as one of those Aqualung puck octos.

When Chris started HOG, people complained because the price was too low. How can a regulator be so cheap, your gonna die, Your ripping-off Apeks, etc. The funny part is that HOG was not any cheaper in the US, as Apeks was in the UK. It is just that we get screwed here with the higher price.

Racist? Really?

 

[ams511]

Racist? Really?

Yes. it is not cheap dive gear but "Cheap Chinese" dive gear.

 

[Marie13]

Yes. it is not cheap dive gear but "Cheap Chinese" dive gear.

China does make all sorts of cheap crap. I handle imports on the job. Cheap crap generally does not come from Europe. I’ll stick with my Apeks regs. I know they work.