Deco reg setups

[Jimmer]

The issue isn't a matter of spending money alone, it's spending money needlessly. If I am convinced that the full size gauge is truly the way to go over the button gauge (which I am after reading the posts), then I'll go ahead and deal with it. I've already bought Lp108's, 5 regs, I'm putting together a set of 72's I picked up cheap, I bought a computer and a timer, and just ordered a drysuit and an Al40 with a DIN valve, all in the past 18 months, so spending money on the right gear isn't an issue, all I wanted to know was if a button gauge could be considered the right gear. When a button gauge is $50 here, and a brass and glass is $150, and a plastic SPG is $100, I'd rather save the extra $50-$100 per gauge for buying nitrox fills and paying for the course. I hope that clears up where I'm coming from on this question.

 

[texdiveguy]

The issue isn't a matter of spending money alone, it's spending money needlessly. If I am convinced that the full size gauge is truly the way to go over the button gauge (which I am after reading the posts), then I'll go ahead and deal with it. I've already bought Lp108's, 5 regs, I'm putting together a set of 72's I picked up cheap, I bought a computer and a timer, and just ordered a drysuit and an Al40 with a DIN valve, all in the past 18 months, so spending money on the right gear isn't an issue, all I wanted to know was if a button gauge could be considered the right gear. When a button gauge is $50 here, and a brass and glass is $150, and a plastic SPG is $100, I'd rather save the extra $50-$100 per gauge for buying nitrox fills and paying for the course. I hope that clears up where I'm coming from on this question.

Spend the bit extra and go for a mid/size gauge.....button is really not the best pick for other than those rec pony bottles.....glad you are leaning that direction---good pick. Sounds like you have an investment already,,gee it does cost to have 'fun',,,and it is a bit of work having 'fun' too--lol!!!

 

[Jimmer]

It definetly costs to have fun, just like my cycling used to cost an arm and a leg, as you're well aware. But I worked around that by working at a Bike shop to pay for parts. Now I work at that bike shop part time to pay for dive gear, and work with the dive shop part time to get discounts and air, and work full time to pay for school, which is part time 3 nights a week. Life gets crowded lol

 

[DIR-Atlanta]

When a button gauge is $50 here, and a brass and glass is $150, and a plastic SPG is $100, I'd rather save the extra $50-$100 per gauge for buying nitrox fills and paying for the course.

Those prices sound really high - are those on-line prices, or a quote from your LDS? A quick check of a couple of on-line dealers shows that LeisurePro and ScubaToys both have plastic gauges for $50-60, and then DiveRiteExpress has the small brass ones for about $75. Even the Halcyon gauges are only $115 from DiveGear.com (i.e. Extreme Exposure).

Do your price quotes also include the 6" hose?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I suspect they're in CAD, rather than USD ... but still pretty high.

Perhaps should see what it'll take to ship from TDL or Soggy ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[DIR-Atlanta]

I suspect they're in CAD, rather than USD ... but still pretty high.

Bingo - did not notice that Jimmer was in Ontario. With the conversion rate, shipping, and duty, that would explain the difference.

 

[rjack321]

Yeah, but I still think he could find a better price on a new plastic gauge. BUt hey I'm not in Canada either.

 

[texdiveguy]

Jimmer works at a dive shop...so he probably gets a good price on purchases.

 

[Jimmer]

Yeah, I talked to Phil Ellis about the XS Brass and Glass, factoring in shipping and exchange, they were over $100 CAD for me, and that's assuming they dont get hit with import duties. My LDS can just barely match $100 CDN for those at my prices, which aren't retail. I've had several area shops quote $150 for brass and glass, and $100 for a cressi or DiveRite plastic gauge, which was the reason I was wondering if I could get away with button gauges. But as you've all pointed out, they MIGHT work for now, but in all likelyhood, I'll end up wanting to swap them out in the long term anyway, so why buy twice.

 

[miesemer]

IF you do decide on a button gauge...

Trident sells a slightly larger one (A232) with a glow-in-the-dark face. It is much easier to read than the typical small button gauges.

I now use the Dive Rite compact gauge on 6" hose for my deco regs but previously used the tiny button which was nearly impossible for my eyes to read. It's now found a home on my argon reg. I have not used the larger button but I have viewed them side by side with the smaller one.