DGX Gears vs HOG regulators, which would you choose? why?

[tbone1004]

So I guess I need to consider this class for deep6 in order to get the parts.
My understanding is that HOG has the same requirement...so another cost of ownership to consider.
I don't see info on it on either company's sites. I'll have to dig a little deeper I guess when I get some time.

So lots of praises so deep6 sounds like a solid company to deal with. That's good of course. Otherwise, feature for feature maybe the regs are about the same.
Not much love here apparently for the hogs....not much hate either. Hmmm....

You do NOT have to take the class to get the parts or the full manuals for the Deep6 Signature. If you take the class then you get the parts for free to DIY. Worth it if you have a lot of reg sets, probably not worth it if you want to send it back.

I will also say this, just because I dive shop CAN service regs, doesn't mean they SHOULD be servicing regs. A lot of shops don't actually do reg service in-house any more and frankly I wouldn't want someone who isn't doing reg service all day every day to touch mine.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

So I guess I need to consider this class for deep6 in order to get the parts.
My understanding is that HOG has the same requirement...so another cost of ownership to consider.
I don't see info on it on either company's sites. I'll have to dig a little deeper I guess when I get some time.

So lots of praises so deep6 sounds like a solid company to deal with. That's good of course. Otherwise, feature for feature maybe the regs are about the same.
Not much love here apparently for the hogs....not much hate either. Hmmm....

I wasn't tagged and am a bit late to the D6 party, but I've become a fan of the Deep 6 regs.

I've been a LONG time user of Aqua Lung Legends. I own 3 and still love them and will keep diving them as long as parts are available. But with concerns around AL longevity as a company, I wanted another go-to reg. I bought a Dive Rite XT1/XT4 set and a Deep 6 Expedition set. Of the two, Deep 6 is my favorite hands down. It is the only reg I've used that I honestly believe breaths as well as my Legends, and that is saying something! So the DR XT set is now my trusted backup (they are solid, bullet-proof regs) and I rotate between my AL Legend and Deep 6 Expedition as my primary set.

I buy a lot from DGX but I have no interest in their regs. I also have seen the Hogs and have had buddies that dive them, but I've never been tempted to get a set. I'm super happy with my D6 and my Legend and should be good for quite a long time!

 

[lowwall]

So I guess I need to consider this class for deep6 in order to get the parts.
My understanding is that HOG has the same requirement...so another cost of ownership to consider.
I don't see info on it on either company's sites. I'll have to dig a little deeper I guess when I get some time.

So lots of praises so deep6 sounds like a solid company to deal with. That's good of course. Otherwise, feature for feature maybe the regs are about the same.
Not much love here apparently for the hogs....not much hate either. Hmmm....

The HOGs work fine. No one is excited because at this point they are just another scuba company. OTOH, DGX has many supporters because they have been the go to shop for the Florida cave diver forever, their website is full of useful products and information, and they put together some great gear packages. Deep 6 has deep fans because, well first because it has great products and service at reasonable prices, but also because their focus aligns with how a lot of scubaboard dive and think. And its founder and current owner have often participated in threads here.

Back to the regs. Chris Richardson, the founder of Deep 6 was actually the guy who developed the HOG Edge D1 and D2 regs before he left to start his own company. The ODM in Taiwan he worked with to design the regs added them to their regular lineup and they are resold under several brand names. So the HOG D2, DGX D6, and Deep 6 Signature are all variants of Chris's original design, as are the HOG D1 and Deep 6 Excursion. Although I should note that Chris made improvements to his original design of the D2 when he founded Deep 6 so the Signature is much more than a clone.

To add to the confusion, the DGX D6 was originally imported by Deep 6 for DGX, hence the name. However, I believe DGX now handles it directly.

Re- self servicing.

HOG set up a certification class through TDI that you can take. But they allow their dealers to sell service kits to anyone if they want to.

For Deep 6 parts and kits, you need to order directly from them. They don't automatically allow anyone to order, but they accept any reg tech certifications and also teach their own reg service course. Finally, if you contact them directly they'll sell you or send you service kits for pretty much any good reason, including having the parts just in case for a liveaboard or foreign trip.

More details at this post. Although I think the free kits only supply to their Signature regs.

Post in thread 'Deep Six Service Kits & Parts?'

Jun 20, 2022

I've since inquired with Deep Six about purchasing extra kits, and was told they will not sell them unless I take their course.

Hi @madamimadam, I would really like to help you get this resolved, so if you can send me the support ticket number and/or your name I would like to catch up on the conversation.

Just to clarify, we don't require our course as the only way to acquire kits from us. We are pretty reasonable and try to make it as easy as possible.

You can acquire FREE kits in these ways:
1.) All new regulator orders ship with a free set of kits.
2.) Certified...

• LandonL

• 
• 

 

[Rob9876]

Now I'm just considering getting a set for me so that I can dive my own equipment, but if any of my family get into it I might be buying more sets... so low cost is primary.

Since you mentioned low cost being primary, and I may be the biggest cheapskate on ScubaBoard, let me mention the Sea Elite Covert reg sets from Divers Supply. These are HOG/Edge regs and Sea Elite is the store brand "white label" that Divers Supply puts on them -- so any HOG dealer can also service these. My son and I have both been diving basically the same set as this Sea Elite Covert reg package for the last 6 years, and they have been great -- nice, easy breathing regs at every depth (many over 100 feet, deepest yet is 122 feet on The Oriskany).

Although any HOG dealer can service these, if you get Divers Supply to service them they don't charge for parts -- so servicing is pretty economical. It looks like you may be close to Divers Supply's store in Jacksonville, FL, so that could be pretty easy for you, But even though I usually use their easy option to send in by mail, it is cheaper for me to mail them to Divers Supply than take to a local shop, and Divers Supply usually has fast turn-around on maintenance.

Also, if you have new family members getting into diving you may want to look at the Sea Elite Value System Package, which includes a BCD. Though the basic package comes with an unbalanced reg set, for $75 you can upgrade to the Sea Elite Covert balanced reg (you can also add basic computers to the package for low prices).

Our gear has held up well, and I've seen a number of dive shops that use this gear as their rental fleet. After six years, I've never felt any need to "upgrade" -- to each their own, but these work great so I'm not sure why I'd want to spend more for regular recreational diving gear.

 

[Tim1984]

Here's another vote for D6. I've been a recreational diver for years. I've been a certified Public Safety Diver (Volunteer) for about 6 years.

In the PSD world, I dive in a lot of dirty, silty and near zero to zero viz water. I've dove numerous brands over the years, never had trouble with any of them.
That said, I became aware of D6 about 3 years ago, I became intrigued after reading a bit about the company, so ordered a signature setup to test out recreationally.
I dove it for a while, and after this trial, I also ordered a signature first stage for my primary PSD reg.
I also ordered an excursion 1st and 2nd for my pony bottle when doing PSD work.

All I can say, is that I have zero interest in diving a another brand.
@LandonL is an awesome guy. I didn't know him whatsoever, but had some questions and wound up talking on the phone with him for like 45 minutes. I have also communicated with him on FB messenger more than once. He always responds. That is unheard of with most companies!

I trust D6 wholeheartedly. I actually recently ordered 3 Excursions for our Dive Team, this was after the Team seeing me use D6 for about 2 years and letting some members try mine (I buy my own gear, because I am able to and it saves the team gear for the members that may not have their own).
The price vs quality of D6 would be dang hard to top!

I am in no way endorsed by D6 and have no official affiliation with them, just a very happy and passionate customer....and I do put my gear in some pretty dirty and cold water.

oh yeah, the D6 Eddy fins are awesome as well!

-Tim

 

[happy-diver]

Just the name HOG what is that and anyway we already have two other hogs

 

[scrane]

I like DGX because it is a no nonsense company that will sell you service kits with no strings attached for a fair price. They also have clear assembly/ disassembly videos for their regs so you can do it yourself.

 

[jellycatsdad]

I’d also look at the Deep6 Signature series if it was between DGX D6 or the HOG. I know two people who took @rsingler’s reg class if you want to get nerdy over it. He also worked with D6 on the latest revision of their service info.

 

[lowwall]

I’d also look at the Deep6 Signature series if it was between DGX D6 or the HOG. I know two people who took @rsingler’s reg class if you want to get nerdy over it. He also worked with D6 on the latest revision of their service info.

I took his class and highly recommend it if you want a really in depth understanding of how regs work as well as the practical stuff. The typical one day manufacturers' course is focused on safely following their service manual rather than understanding why you are doing anything.

Also the service manuals that @rsingler wrote are simply the best that are currently available for any regulator. IMO, it's worth reading over one of them for any tech or even non-techs who are interested in regs. There's a bunch of stuff from proper cleaning to servicing hoses to tips on tuning barrel second stages that are not found elsewhere.

Service Manual

www.deep6gear.com

BTW, don't forget the Deep 6 Excursion. If you don't need the swivel or 5th (down facing) LP port, it will save you some weight, size and $140 for the standalone stage (OK, really $100 over the long term since the Signature price includes the first service).

 

[bradlw]

I wouldn't be opposed to taking a class as long as it's reasonably priced and reasonably convenient. I was trained in regulator maintenance by my tech diving instructor, but not manufacturer-certified for any particular brand. That dude was a big-time cave diver and his garage was better equipped than any dive shop I've ever seen!
I learned to work on his Scubapro stuff and serviced my US diver's regulators a few times. Oh, and an Oceanic unbalanced reg I had for pony bottles. I had to condemn that thing for internal corrosion. Anyway, all that was a long time ago so I'm not opposed to refresher training, even though I'm an engineer and very mechanically inclined. Besides, it's only smart to learn the specs and intricacies for a particular brand. I'd much rather to NOT tap into my red-neck torque wrench for something like a scuba regulator!