martzak
Contributor
This is off the subject, but is that what it takes to 'enviro-seal' the Atomic reg--fill the 1st stage ambient chamber with Christolube?
Is it necessary to get annual reg service?
- Thread starter JackSpearo
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halocline
Contributor
I suspect that Scubatoys services regs that they sell for a fixed price of $50 or whatever, parts included. The higher quote must have been for a reg not purchased there.
I don't know what atomic service kits cost, but it would not surprise me if it was around $30/kit, so if you have a 1st and 2 2nds, that's $90, plus $20 labor on each stage (not bad at all) and there's your $150. All this is assuming that your reg is not under warranty and does not qualify for a free parts program that I imagine atomic has.
The upside is that a properly serviced atomic, especially one that's sealed, should go several seasons not needing a rebuild unless you dive constantly and don't soak your reg well after saltwater use. One of the selling points of atomic is that they use a lot of corrosion resistant materials, and the balanced piston design, very similar to a MK25, is really stable. My friend's MK25 is on it's 4th season after service and the IP does not budge. I took the cap off and had a peak in the ambient chamber and it looked new; I would be surprised if atomic 1st stages were not equally hardy.
I don't know what atomic service kits cost, but it would not surprise me if it was around $30/kit, so if you have a 1st and 2 2nds, that's $90, plus $20 labor on each stage (not bad at all) and there's your $150. All this is assuming that your reg is not under warranty and does not qualify for a free parts program that I imagine atomic has.
The upside is that a properly serviced atomic, especially one that's sealed, should go several seasons not needing a rebuild unless you dive constantly and don't soak your reg well after saltwater use. One of the selling points of atomic is that they use a lot of corrosion resistant materials, and the balanced piston design, very similar to a MK25, is really stable. My friend's MK25 is on it's 4th season after service and the IP does not budge. I took the cap off and had a peak in the ambient chamber and it looked new; I would be surprised if atomic 1st stages were not equally hardy.
martzak
Contributor
Christo Lube is very expensive. Retail it is about 30 bucks for a 2 oz tube. The alternatives are not much cheaper either.
Also I hate this assumption that every dive shop tries to screw everybody with the "... you're going to die" line. A smart dive shop is going to recommend whatever the manufacturer states. To do otherwise is going to open them up to even more legal issues. If an employee says "I know that company xyz says to get it looked at annually, but you can go longer....", gee I can see lawyers calling, and oops another shop is out of business. To not recommend what the manufacturer states is STUPID.
I worked in a shop and I would do my best to look out for the customer. The shop I worked in is an AL dealer. Their policy is that if the reg has less than 50 dives then a bench test could be substituted for a rebuild every other year (a rebuild would be necessary if it failed the bench tes). I recommended this to many customers to save them money. I always looked out for my customers, and as a result had many that would only deal with me.
I hate the constant bashing of shop employees as ignorant, selfish, idiots on this board. Yes, there are bad ones, but their are bad engineers (I know there are many on this board so I picked this profession on purpose). That does not mean all engineers are bad.
Also I hate this assumption that every dive shop tries to screw everybody with the "... you're going to die" line. A smart dive shop is going to recommend whatever the manufacturer states. To do otherwise is going to open them up to even more legal issues. If an employee says "I know that company xyz says to get it looked at annually, but you can go longer....", gee I can see lawyers calling, and oops another shop is out of business. To not recommend what the manufacturer states is STUPID.
I worked in a shop and I would do my best to look out for the customer. The shop I worked in is an AL dealer. Their policy is that if the reg has less than 50 dives then a bench test could be substituted for a rebuild every other year (a rebuild would be necessary if it failed the bench tes). I recommended this to many customers to save them money. I always looked out for my customers, and as a result had many that would only deal with me.
I hate the constant bashing of shop employees as ignorant, selfish, idiots on this board. Yes, there are bad ones, but their are bad engineers (I know there are many on this board so I picked this profession on purpose). That does not mean all engineers are bad.
R
redacted
Guest
Could you provide us a list of the shops that you know of that went out of business in this manner???
I don't personally know of any, but I can see the obvious widening of legal liability. This would go for any industry, car dealers, medical supply companies, etc. For a business to recommend something other than what the manufacturer states opens them even more to legal liability. This is a very litigious society we live in today with people looking to make bucks off of someone else. This is similar to medical insurance companies not covering medicine for off label use. Viagra labeled use is for woodies, but it can also be used to more easily adapt to high altitude environments.
The legal environment is full of precedents. The outcome of one case will affect the outcome of another seemingly unrelated case.
Until proven otherwise I just assume that everyone wants to sue.
The legal environment is full of precedents. The outcome of one case will affect the outcome of another seemingly unrelated case.
Until proven otherwise I just assume that everyone wants to sue.
R
redacted
Guest
I do not know of any either. I suspect that the liability of an LDS is fairly low, especially based on what they say. In the end, I think that there are so few serious incidents in scuba that are not primarily the divers fault that the dive shops are pretty insulated from litigious threats. If that were incorrect, I'd think they would be much more careful with the technical service they provide.
Most dive shops recommend service IAW the mfgr recommendation because it makes them $$$. It is a very rare shop that would do otherwise.
simmonsjr
Contributor
There was an incident at a well known rodent-themed amusement park several years back in which a couple of newlyweds were riding on the simulated autobahn ride. They were in separate cars with the husband behind the wife. At the end of this particular ride there are three or four signs which tell the drivers to get off of the gas and NOT to bump the car in front of them for any reason. There is a ride attendant who is stationed prior to the point of debarkation to ensure that each car stops safely. However the husband, after being warned not to bump and being brought to a full and complete stop, decided that it would be funny to bump his wife's car anyways. As she was stepping out of her car, and before the second attendant could assist her the husband bumped her car causing her to lose her balance and fall down striking her head on the cement. She wound up with mild brain damage and her family sued the theme park for negligence. The judge found the park to be less than 1% negligent and awarded the family something like 20 million dollars.
Snowflake4727 makes a good point in that these days diver error does not shield a dive shop from litigation. People in our culture will sue on the flimsiest grounds, and often will prevail in court. I think that is the primary reason that both equipment manufacturers and dive shops are so conservative when it comes to equipment maintenance recommendations.
halocline
Contributor
Nice story about Disney, too bad it has absolutely nothing to do scuba.
How about a story about a dive shop getting sued for giving "unauthorized" advice?
If poor advice was a litigation-worthy offense, there would be some big trouble at an LDS around here....
How about a story about a dive shop getting sued for giving "unauthorized" advice?
If poor advice was a litigation-worthy offense, there would be some big trouble at an LDS around here....
It all comes to product liability. There are TONS of sharks/lawyers practicing in this field. In a lawsuit everybody gets sued. The more people sued the bigger chance of more money. They sue for things like hot coffee. McDonalds learned that one. Why do you think products carry obvious warnings? It is because people do not believe in personal responsibility anymore.
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