Help me to choose a right regulator

[OE2X]

I own a pair of ATX200's and three pairs of MK25/S600.

Both regs breath great.

I like the SP regs better for one reason alone - they are much drier than the Apeks. If I go head down, inverted, roll on my back, I get just a bit of water in the second stages and thus my mouth. My SP regs are all dry no matter what position I'm in.

Is it a big deal? Well it is for me.

 

[goodeatsfan]

Hiya Guys, I'm from Singapore like SangP and sorry to say, in our little island, free parts for life programs don't exist. In fact, if we bought a Scubapro, or any other brand for that fact, from anywhere else in the world, even our neighbour M'sia (1km away) servicing costs goes up by about 100% from any of the authorised distributors/dealers.

 

[Daveo957]

that sucks, i wonder why they dont offer the program worldwide...if you service your regs once a year the program is a great deal.

 

[BKP]

How is it you haven't considered Atomic Aquatics? They are consistently rated at the top of the game.

I prefer warm water, however, the majority of my dives are in colder water (lakes, quarries), where it gets pretty cool below the first couple of thermoclines. My B2 breathes effortlessly in *any* temp I've been in (down to 10C/50F), and at any depth. It has a Titanium 2nd stage, so it's light, and impervious to sea water.

If you plan on going below 50F (other then the fact that I won't be buddying with you), there is an anti-freeze kit available for the Atomic, that fits over the ambient chamber ports of the first stage to prevent icing.

Excellent reg. Excellent ratings. Their confidence is such that they only require servicing every two years. You'll be hard put to find any detractors.

 

[SangP]

SanP, that doesn't sound right? I think the parts are free for life for the Mk-25 reg, which has changed little over the years - but I can't confirm this for a couple of days.

Do you have some credentials to make up you accusations, please...??

You might want to reconsider your words, till you know what's happening over on this side of the world.

Sp regs rules, sp servicing SUCKS!

Research before you speak.

SangP

 

[Daveo957]

i believe he was just speaking from where he is from...not a big deal calm down

 

[DandyDon]

You might want to reconsider your words, till you know what's happening over on this side of the world.

Sp regs rules, sp servicing SUCKS!

Research before you speak.

SangP

Sorry if I chose my words poorly - did not mean to attack yours, just question. Sorry if it did not sound like a question.

I do wonder if your local dealers are just avoiding SP, or if there is a problem getting the parts shipped over, but bottom line for the diver - it must not work well there. thanks.

 

[SangP]

DandyDon,

I understand that however, I don't make accusations I speak from experience. Apology accepted.

The situation here is vastly different from where you come from as there is no such thing as free servicing from either Apeks or SP or any of the reg manufacturers.
SP has great regs however, the local distributor is just plain GREEDY.

There aren't local dealers there's just ONE... Richmond Enterprise. They control the market and even in Thailand where you can pretty much get whatever you need from SP these guys are sooo different.

They charge an arm and a leg to service older regs, even for relatively new regs they charge more to service a 2nd stage then a 1st stage Apeks. No MK17 cus it makes lower profits than a MK25. Yada yada yada, they make it so expensive to keep older regs, you're better of getting the latest from SP. Bottom line $$$$$$

Sorry bout my rants but as soon as SP launches another newer line of regs I'm getting rid of both my SP and replacing them with Apeks.

Cheers,

SangP

 

[goodeatsfan]

HiDeeHo SangP Bro! Cool down man! Dandy may have sounded a little rough, but he really didn't deserve such a harsh response.

I understand and feel your pain, but Richmond isn't really as bad as you make it sound. It's practices with regards to the way it distributes/imports and services it regs are somewhat sorely lacking in some areas, I agree totally, BUT, that said, the way they practice isn't really ALL that different from how the OTHER brands operate here. OF COURSE there are some differences to set them apart, but well, that's the way it works in a small market I guess. Do I like it, well, no, but they are not as expensive in some regards to their other products and the people there are nice.

I don't buy their regs, chose Apeks, and DM Pratama isn't that much cheaper either (MAYBE $40SGD plus minus per set). but you have the option to use other people to service your SP's from others like Americ at Parklane who WILL be more than happy to give you a good rate just for not going back to richmond! hahahaha, but that said, it's a free market and people will ultimately pay what they will for what they want.

BKP - Atomics is a GREAT reg from what I've heard and read, but it's DIFFICULT to service in this part of the world and it's VERY expensive. The distributor is in the neighbouring country and a few hundred kilometers away. no reg is worth the effort.

 

[SangP]

I do understand I also would like to apologise if I sounded hash however, I don't take kindly to being accused of giving false info.

I plan to service my own regs in the future and I after having bought 2 sp regs from Richmond I don't intend to buy anything more from them if possible.

Perhaps you haven't been to Thailand and realized the difference between the kind of service Richmond gives to what I consider real value for money service.

What would you think if you wanted to buy a MK 17 from a distributor and was told that they won't service it but would have to sent it back to HK to be service. They are happy to earn your $ but won't lift a finger to help service the reg for you. Don't tell me how Richmond isn't bad... they are worst than that.

SangP