Hog D1 Vs. Dive Rite Xt Vs. Other?

[Bigeclipse]

All,
I am slowly trying to assemble a complete tec diving setup for my tech courses which will likely be NEXT summer not this summer. I just purchased a used set of worthington HP100 doubles which will have a brand new hydro and come with bands and manifold (the sale depends on whether they pass hydro). I already have a SS backplate (looking into aluminum as well) and have my eyes set on a wing. Next comes regulators. I ,unfortunately, am not made of money so I am kind of piece-mealing as I go along. My thought is I already have a nice DIN aqualung legend xt. I want to get into another reg, relatively cheap, but one which will allow me to progress into tec and also one day be able to service myself along with getting servicing kits. This basically limits me to the Hog D1s and the Dive Rite XTs from what I read. I will purchase one set, to be used with my aqualung legend xt (just for this summer so I can start practicing doubles while I save up for another matching regulator). I know it is a bit unorthodox to have two different regs but again I will be saving for the second reg set to make it a complete matching set sometime next winter. Should I go the Hog D1 route or the Dive Rite XT route. It seems I can get a Hog D1(sealed) with second stage and hose for about 250$ while I was only able to locate the Dive Rite XT with a hose and gauge set for 350$. Also, Dive rite service kits are 48$ while the Hogs are 35$. Any other considerations I should take into account? Thanks

EDIT: I just noticed the price I saw for the Dive Rite is not 350$ with SPG. The SPG is actually sold separately this makes the gap a bit further in price between the two.

 

[Doby45]

I would say you can't go wrong with either of those first stage regs, but I will say you can get two D1s for the price of one XT first stage. But as far as breathing goes, I tried the XT and it was no different than my D1s. I am currently using dual D1s and dual Classics, cheap and VERY effective.

 

[Patoux01]

I'd sell the legend and get 2 DR (in that choice, and only in those propositions, as I'd personnally take something else).

 

[tbone1004]

the parts kits are about the same for both of them if you shop around online. so I wouldn't mark that as a significant change. Personally I would go with the Dive Rites of the two. Sell the Legend, get a doubles set from cave adventurers for $700. It will be 2-3 years before you have to service them anyway, but gets you all new hoses that are the right length, free reg bag, SPG, etc etc

 

[Bigeclipse]

the parts kits are about the same for both of them if you shop around online. so I wouldn't mark that as a significant change. Personally I would go with the Dive Rites of the two. Sell the Legend, get a doubles set from cave adventurers for $700. It will be 2-3 years before you have to service them anyway, but gets you all new hoses that are the right length, free reg bag, SPG, etc etc

eh, im not going to sell the aqualung legend lx as it was a present and I use it for my singles diving. My plan will be to eventually have matching double set but since I will be only diving doubles occasionally this summer, I don't mind moving hoses etc and making my legend into part of the doubles set short term. What I envision is buying either a Hog D1/classic or the Dive rite xt. Then using it with my legend lx this summer just to get me a few dives in the doubles so I can start getting the feel for them. Then over winter where I tend to have more funds, I will buy another Hog/Dive rite set to make matching set for the doubles while keeping my legend set for my singles diving.

FYI I already have 2 SPGs (one 2.5in and one 2inch) and a bunch of hoses including a long hose so the Dive rite coming with one is not really a plus for me. The Hog also comes with hose but no SPG. Just trying to see why I should get either the Hog over the Dive Rite or vice versa. If they breath the same, and parts are readily available for them then why spend more for the Dive Rite? I am not bashing or anything. I really am interested to know. My path forward was to buy the Hog and take their regulator class next year for my own maintenance. Does Dive rite offer this training?

 

[Bigeclipse]

EDIT: I just noticed that at caveadenturers the Dive Rite reg set does NOT come with the SPG for the advertised price. It is actually sold separate so now I am heavily leaning towards the Hog D1 at 250$ vs 350$.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

I purchased Dive Rites regs for my doubles and stage bottle. I have only tried them in the pool and I can say that I am impressed. I would like to see how they perform at depth.

 

[eelnoraa]

For self servicing, you are not limited to DR or Hog. They just officially suppoort it. You can still service regs like atomic or sp, parts are easy enough to get.

You have time, you can buy used. Could it be hog, DR another legend. I just don't think it is necessary to spend $700 on a set of double reg.

 

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

I asked my LDS and they said Dive Rite does not support self service. Is that true? or are they bull-$h!tting me?

 

[Patoux01]

I asked my LDS and they said Dive Rite does not support self service. Is that true? or are they bull-$h!tting me?

DR does not encourage it as in "they do not put the manual for anyone to see". They do still sell the parts required for servicing.