First Regs: Deep 6 Signature, DGX Deep 6, Atomic B2, or something else?

[rsingler]

that won't make a bit of a difference if you're in the Keys on vacation and need that service today to dive tomorrow and there's nobody around that will service your Deep 6.

I really think that HOG, and now Deep6 are going to change that paradigm. From a liability standpoint, how much risk is a shop really in, if the reg is designed to be serviced by the owner after ONE one-day class, when their tech does service for a living?
Especially if they service Apeks, which is darned close to both of those brands in design.
No, I think that's just shop pushback, because they are upset at the direct to consumer sales model. I get that, because it's a tough area to make a living. But if that's the way it is, then service becomes an alternative revenue stream, small though it might be.
My point is, in ten years I'll bet every shop services every reg that has a consumer service manual on line, if the customer brings in a service kit. They are exactly the same to service as several other reg brands. It's precision work, but it ain't rocket science.
Time will tell...

 

[The Chairman]

but that won't make a bit of a difference if you're in the Keys

You can get them easily serviced in Key Largo with ScubaTech Key Largo MM99 Ocean Side. I can get you a phone number if you need it. For Atomics, go see my good friend Larry at Key Largo Dive Center.

You won't run into that problem with an Apeks, Aqualung, Scubapro, Mares etc. It's one of the benefits of having widespread dealer networks.

Again, that's just what those manufacturers want you to say. It's nothing but "fear" and they've done a good job instilling it in you. Getting ANY repair ANYWHERE done overnight is not likely to happen. If that's your criteria, you're stuck with some deck hand trying to make do with your gear. Probably better at that point to rent some regs and stop wasting time & sanity trying to repair your kit. More fun. Less worry. Every shop has a spare set of regs.

How many dives in my 49 years of diving have I lost due to malfunctioning regs? Almost one, but that was a freshly serviced Aqualung that literally fell apart and I switched to my Octo. It's why I don't let anyone touch my regs anymore but me. I trust me more than anyone else with my life. It's also why I don't use a Duo Air and make sure my Octo is just as robust as my primary second stage reg. Also, whenever I travel, I carry kits for whatever regs I'm using. Yes, I have them for my Atomics as well as my Deep 6s. I've never had to break into them during a trip and that's OK. You can get most kits online. Just look.

It's precision work, but it ain't rocket science.

It's Submarine Science.

 

[cerich]

Hey Y'all,

Happy to bring you today's episode of "which regulator set should I purchase?"

We dive mostly here in South Florida (Pompano/Deerfield and the Keys) and won't be going super deep or super cold anytime soon. However we will likely be moving to SC next year and would dive there as well.

My boyfriend got the Atomic B2 and I've been leaning toward Deep 6, however I'd love to have my full kit complete before we do our AOW at the end of the month. Since they've been out of stock for awhile and I'm in a bit of a (self imposed) time crunch, I'm wondering if I should keep waiting? Or should I go with the DGX version or even the same Atomic model my SO purchased? I read in another thread that one user said D6 was worth the wait but I'd like to hear from more people.

Money isn't a huge issue but I do appreciate the lower price point of the D6 Signature set compared to what the B2 would set me back. And even though I'm not very mechanically inclined, I love the inclusion of the service kit and ability to take that with me on international trips (we'd like to go to Australia and/or Asia in the next couple of years).

Also is it better to go DIN with a yoke converter? Or just go yoke if we mostly dive here in the US anyway?

Thanks in advance! This board is such a fabulous resource!

we will have regs in stoick within 10 days..

 

[cerich]

I really think that HOG, and now Deep6 are going to change that paradigm. From a liability standpoint, how much risk is a shop really in, if the reg is designed to be serviced by the owner after ONE one-day class, when their tech does service for a living?
Especially if they service Apeks, which is darned close to both of those brands in design.
No, I think that's just shop pushback, because they are upset at the direct to consumer sales model. I get that, because it's a tough area to make a living. But if that's the way it is, then service becomes an alternative revenue stream, small though it might be.
My point is, in ten years I'll bet every shop services every reg that has a consumer service manual on line, if the customer brings in a service kit. They are exactly the same to service as several other reg brands. It's precision work, but it ain't rocket science.
Time will tell...

there is a bit of precedence. The other day independent auto repair shops started to service cars. In fact who knew that there were safety aspects to car repair? Anyhow, if a ind. shop does your brakes it doesn't invalidate your warranty. Yet the dive industry would have you believe it does.. because nobody has bothered a challenge over what is much less expensive than a car.

Anyhow.. just mulling out loud

 

[cerich]

I would recommend Atomic. Deep6 seems to always have supply issues, and it’s one excuse after another.

umm..actually it's one truth after another. Still doesn't change that yeah, we have been behind more than ahead this year on stock. We are getting out of that hole I think

 

[divad]

Or should I go with the DGX version

Yes, at $250.00, if you decide you want something as good-but-more-expensive, it'll make a great spare.

 

[chrispscott]

You can get them easily serviced in Key Largo with ScubaTech Key Largo MM99 Ocean Side. I can get you a phone number if you need it. For Atomics, go see my good friend Larry at Key Largo Dive Center.

I know you're being obtuse but you get my point. You're going to have a harder time finding service in a pinch on a Deep 6 or HOG (or XS Scuba or ScubaMax or any number of smaller brands without a large dealer) than you would a Scubapro or Apeks.

 

[The Chairman]

I know you're being obtuse but you get my point.

Why does disagreeing with you make me "obtuse"? You brought up a specific location and I showed you where to get service there. You're now moving the goal posts. Let's face it: we don't agree about this, but calling me "obtuse" just because we disagree is not merited. I don't share your fears. I obviously prepare for a dive trip a bit differently than you, but then I feel I have to. I carry kits for my regs and I always carry two to three sets of regs as well as two to three PDCs. I've never had to use them, but I can't believe how often I have had to loan them out. My motto as a Boy Scout was "Be Prepared!" and I still follow that today. I guess my slogan now should be "Tune a good reg, daily!"

 

[chrispscott]

Why does disagreeing with you make me "obtuse"? You brought up a specific location and I showed you where to get service there. You're now moving the goal posts. Let's face it: we don't agree about this, but calling me "obtuse" just because we disagree is not merited. I don't share your fears. I obviously prepare for a dive trip a bit differently, but then I feel I have to. I carry kits for my regs and I always carry two to three sets of regs as well as two to three PDCs. I've never had to use them, but I can't believe how often I have had to loan them out. Hey, my motto as a Boy Scout was "Be Prepared!" I guess my slogan now should be "Tune a good reg, daily!"

You were being pedantic about the location (which I meant to be more of a generalized area) rather than addressing my actual point. That point being that you're more likely to find an Aqualung dealer than a Deep 6 tech at any major (or not so major) diving location if you need service in a pinch on your diving vacation. It's great that you prepare so well for a trip but not everyone does. I've been around diving long enough to know that for a fact.

Hell, if I go to the Deep 6's Affiliate Locator to even find a dealer for service in my local area I get a 404 error. If I was here in Chicago and needed a repair in a pinch to go diving on Lake Michigan this weekend (that would be one cold, rough dive) I would be out of luck. On the other hand there are 5 Scubapro dealers within 25 miles of me which means that if I need service I can probably get it from one of them.

 

[cerich]

Y

Hell, if I go to the Deep 6's Affiliate Locator to even find a dealer for service in my local area I get a 404 error. If I was here in Chicago and needed a repair in a pinch to go diving on Lake Michigan this weekend (that would be one cold, rough dive) I would be out of luck. On the other hand there are 5 Scubapro dealers within 25 miles of me which means that if I need service I can probably get it from one of them.

Indeed we don't even have dealers.. so.. that may be one reason you wont find one on our website.

That said, any diveshop can service our gear, no issues here. In fact given that the reg comes with a free and extra service kit (except when we ran out, but we have them now) and the manual is available online, there should be no issues except when a shop wants to punish a customer for not buying from them.

Regardless, that argument is silly, most shops don't carry that many parts and if you are on a trip won't get you sorted that quick anyhow, there are rare exceptions (Divers Supply Cayman where I worked 20 + years ago) but genrally you are gonna be in a rental.

Just reality