Hollis 212 DC2 v. XTX50.

[The Mighty Thor]

I use an XTX50 and love it. I need a new secondary and figured I might as well buy 1st and 2nd since I will eventually be diving doubles. There seems to be a great deal on the Hollis 212s at several LDS, but I have never used one, don't know anyone, nor have I ever seen anyone use a Hollis Reg. If I go the way of the Apeks, I will probably buy the first and second separately, since I don't need the other first stage right now. But a deal is a deal. Can somebody tell me why I should buy one over the other. I was also looking at the Zeagle FH 6. Your thoughts?

 

[Divingguy]

I just picked up a Hollis 212 yesterday. As I was putting everything together last night, I was disappointed to find that the spacing on the ports is VERY tight, and I could NOT use my Oceanic computer and bio-filter. Spacing was NOT a problem on my Atmos pro reg. The Hollis did breath really nice in my den, but unless I can find some way to make all of my stuff fit, it will be going back.

 

[Divingguy]

Just an update - I may have found a workaround on the spacing problem. ScubaToys sells a "high pressure spacer", which is apparently designed/intended to extend items like a transmitter which would go into a HP port away from the body of the first stage, to relieve the traffic jam. I will go by the shop this week to try one, and let you know. I will tell you that the staff at ST was absolutely raving about the 212. I have not gotten mine in the water yet, but will put it in the pool later this week if I can get the spacing issue resolved.

 

[cbrich]

I have the 212/DC3 and I love it. It breaths very well, I had to get the 212 stage tuned to my liking. Which first stage do you have, I can't imagine a crowding issue.

 

[Divingguy]

I don't have it here at work, but the first stage is the short "yoke" version which came with the 212. I think it is the dc2??? Yeah, just NO way to get my VT3 transmitter on the "right" side with the primary and octo hoses in place. I would have switched it the left side, but with inflator and drysuit hoses, same prob. Plus, because it will also be used while teaching, I have to carry a gauge console like students will have. That will need to be on the left. Anyway, I saw your post in the other thread about needing to tune it DOWN a little. Can't wait to get mine wet. Certainly did not mean to hijack the thread, but hopefully this is all useful to the OP.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

Awesome reg Thor! You really will be happy. This reg was one of the first Hollis came out with and is being let out to pasture as some new models come rolling in.

I would buy it in a heartbeat! Its a really sweet reg and at $290 you really can't beat it!

 

[rrweather]

I posted this in another thread but felt it might be useful to anyone considering the Hollis regs...

I own the DC1/212 and like it a lot. I am a bit frustrated now though because I am looking to put a longer hose on it and it is either not easy or impossible. The 212 version I have has the swivel attachment that the Eos has/had. Whatever thread size the swivel attachment is, it is no where close to standard. Earlier this year (January I believe) a person in the Oceanic forum asked about an adapter. The response then from the Oceanic rep was that the adapter was in the works and would hopefully be out soon. Since then, there has been no word on an adapter. Oceanic claims you can order a longer hose with the swivel attachment; yet, no one on here has been able to get one nor can any dealers find the part number to order. I think one person had their LDS order one that was supposed to fit and it didn't. Last month, the same question was posted in the Hollis forum about an adapter or a longer hose. There hasn't been a response from Hollis about it. Usually Nick is very quick to respond but hasn't yet. So, for now, I am stuck with the hose length on my 212. It looks like (from the pics) the new 212 does not have the swivel attachment. If that is the case, make sure whatever you buy doesn't have one unless you like the hose that comes with the reg and have no plans to change it. I would wonder if the regs being sold now on sale are the older version with the swivel??? I may be totally wrong about the new version not having the swivel but I haven't been able to see it in any of the pics I've looked at. Assuming there is no adapter and assuming the new 212 can accept standard hoses, my only option is to buy another 212 so I can use a longer hose. By the time you buy a new 212, you're not that far off from buying a DC2/212 combo. Problem is, I'm still down a second stage if I do that. The only other option is to just put the reg aside and keep it as a backup and just order a whole new reg. Not really into shelling out that kind of cash right now, especially when I just want a longer hose on the reg I already own. Other than this issue, the DC1 is awesome. I wouldn't have ordered it last year had I known about the hose issue. If the hose is not a problem for you or you can get the newer version on sale, I'd say jump on it. If anyone has any solutions on the hose issue, please let me know.

 

[cbrich]

Well it looks like I am going to sell my Hollis reg, so I can pay some bills. I wish it did not have to come down to it, but I will be getting another in a few months. I just refinanced my house and I am in the gray zone of one leader sending out the tax dispensement, and the new lender wanting all of this years taxes at closing because the county does not have record of this years being paid; what a pita.

If anyone is interested, I will accept $290, the same price as online. It's 212/DC3, non-swivel, but the second stages uses the standard connection so a 7' hose can be used. I will be posting my regulator in the classified section soon.

 

[rrweather]

Can you post a pic? I really don't need another 1st stage but hate the thought of spending $230 for a 2nd stage by itself.

Well it looks like I am going to sell my Hollis reg, so I can pay some bills. I wish it did not have to come down to it, but I will be getting another in a few months. I just refinanced my house and I am in the gray zone of one leader sending out the tax dispensement, and the new lender wanting all of this years taxes at closing because the county does not have record of this years being paid; what a pita.

If anyone is interested, I will accept $290, the same price as online. It's 212/DC3, non-swivel, but the second stages uses the standard connection so a 7' hose can be used. I will be posting my regulator in the classified section soon.

 

[rrweather]

Oh yeah...Yoke or DIN? Thanks.