HOG Comparable Regs

[MrChen]

manybe I'm just special

Just manybe

 

[elan]

Come on people you already started calling Apeks a clone of HOG

And how is a HOG easier to service than its Apeks clone?

 

[robertarak]

Just manybe

That just about covers the "special" part.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I was in my LDS the other day asking about the HOG regs in the counter. I was floored when the girl was trying to talk me in to a Tusa reg instead, claiming that HOG/Edge company has not be responsive lately to their requests for parts and support. She started raving about the Tusa. This shop is a hybrid tech/rec shop. They carry a lot of tech branded equipment (Dive Rite, Hog) in stock but also has rec brands. Most of the other shops in the area only have rec gear. I think this is the opinion of this specific employee that likes the Tusa and she was just shoving her preference down my throat. No other employees have been pushy about a specific brand and have always been helpful, but the lack of support must have "some" truth?

Did she call them? I have been a dealer for going on three years now. And even when Chris was running it by himself I could still get an answer to a question in a day or so and that was when he was on the road. I also talked to him in the last day or so and with Jack the operations manager.
As for parts and support this has been the best time for me as far as that goes. There used to be supply issues from time to time but not so much lately. Items do sell out now and then but when you are newer that can happen in any industry. They usually are not out of stock long.

As for her pushing the TUSA line is it possible they need to in order to fulfill a dealer agreement maybe to sell so many of them? Have not seen that dealer agreement but some mfg's have what amounts to that kind of requirement.

 

[Centrals]

..... And how is a HOG easier to service than its Apeks clone?

You can enlighten everyone here by pointing out which part of Apeks 1st and 2nd is a copy of HOG?

 

[rsingler]

You can enlighten everyone here by pointing out which part of Apeks 1st and 2nd is a copy of HOG?

Lol! Well, I was actually saying that HOG was a copy of Apeks! After all, Apeks has been around a lot longer than HOG/Edge. And that's easy:
Here are the exploded diagrams of the Apeks TX50 vs the HOG D1:

And here are the second stages: Apeks TX50 vs HOG Classic

More specifically, here's the High Pressure Seat Assembly from each (Apeks left, HOG right):

Same thing's true for the key components of the seconds:
Here's the barrel, and lever and venturi air deflector for each:

Even the little stuff, like the venturi deflector inside the mouthpiece is the same:

A few things are different, like the DIN connector and the direction of the filter, but there were probably a couple of patent issues preventing a complete clone.
Even the balance chamber on the poppet is nearly identical, though HOG has two o-rings on the poppet (like Scubapro) and Apeks has only one.

Yes, they're clones, but that's not a bad thing. Apeks TX50 is a great diaphragm reg, and the TX50 2nd/Classic is a good variant on the venerable Scubapro 109/156/G-250 barrel.

No one's criticizing HOG for being like another reg. There are only so many variations you can design. The question is, "is the build quality and internal tolerances and o-ring composition and plastics equal between the two?" They're the same to service. They've both got good breathing characteristics. But does one have a thousandth of an inch difference in internal dimensions that will chew up an o-ring over two years of diving? Is the brass the same vis a vis corrosion? Is the cool black chrome on the HOG going to stand up?

Lots of questions, and questions don't mean criticism. They are just questions.
If HOG stands up, and Taiwan shows it can produce to the same tolerances for much less in labor cost, then heck, yes! I'll buy the $180 regulator over the $350 one.
But that question hasn't been answered yet, and my "feel" for the plastic in the HOG D1 2nd is that it's not quite the same as the Apeks. And neither are as good as the G-250 graphite. I know my Scubapro will last 25 years, even if they won't sell me parts. Will Apeks or HOG?

I think those are fair questions, even though new regs from each of the three may perform well, or even if HOG performs better.
To the extent that the HOG D3 is more responsive in design improvements to us as consumers, given that we are a SMALL market, that's a GOOD thing!
Scubapro has gotten arrogant and complacent.
I can't predict the future, and I hope I'll choose HOG as my 1st choice in a few years. Right now, it's my experimental rig. It's cool; it has cachet, especially on Scubaboard. But if you don't HAVE to choose on pricepoint alone, then you have to ask the question, "what happens at 90 feet when my reg is 8 years old and into its 6th overhaul?" I don't worry about that with Scubapro's old stuff. Not sure about the Mk25. Not sure about HOG.

That's not a criticism. It's just time.

 

[Centrals]

Come on people you already started calling Apeks a clone of HOG

He meant the other way round!!!!

 

[turnerjd]

But that question hasn't been answered yet, and my "feel" for the plastic in the HOG D1 2nd is that it's not quite the same as the Apeks. And neither are as good as the G-250 graphite. I know my Scubapro will last 25 years, even if they won't sell me parts. Will Apeks or HOG?

It's just time.

Well, I bought my Apeks Tx40s in 1992 IIRC and they are still going strong............... I have no plans to replace them in the near future either.

My experience was that in UK diving schools Apeks had the edge over Scubapro for ease of maintenance and their overall life expectancy.

Best

Jon

 

[Fishpie]

Centrals
Post No 3
.....its a faithful copy of the Apeks DST 1st stage and ATX50 2nd stage.

 

[Rich Keller]

It's my understanding ScubaPro reg.s have been used a lot internationally and that the support network for servicing is probably good?

I heard the opposite from people here who bring Scubapro parts to resorts they are vacationing at in the Caribbean.