Is the xs scuba tri-metal dangerous

[bent1972]

I have been using a xs tri-metal regulator for about a year and half. I took it to get serviced at my LDS in Franklin, TN. When I took it in the tech said that he had serviced a bunch of them and that they were "dangerous" at depth. Not uncomfortable but flat out dangerous. When I got the reg back he said that he had confirmed on the bench that the breathing effort would increase substantially at 60 ft and that at 100 ft it would be "very difficult" to breath. My finance picked the reg up so she is freaking out and asked him if he could fix the problem and he said that he can't because it is inherent in the design.

Here is the thing, I have been 100 feet deep with that regulator several times and hardly notice any difference in breathing effort. In fact it is the most comfortable regulators that I have used and I have never had a free flow from the primary or the octo which is xs as well. The LDS sells mainly scuba-pro and they pretty much tell you that everything else is cheap junk, unless it’s a cheap aqua-lung, which they also sell and describe as “a good regulator for the money.” I realize that the LDS wants to sell its equipment, but I hope that they would not call something dangerous just to make a sale. My next reg probably will be a scuba pro because you do not have to pay for parts when you have it serviced. However I would probably buy it online as that would save two to three hundred dollars.

Everything I have read on this board describes the XS as a great regulator and that has been my experience with it as well. I was wondering if anyone else has heard that it was dangerous or had any bad experiences with it at depth. Does anyone know why it would perform poorly on the bench test? I don’t think that the tech would have made that up and I saw a copy of the test results.

 

[Scuba Ken]

Sounds like BS - I know nothing about that regulator, but if it was deadly there would be reports all over these boards. I would find another shop to go to. If in the event the regulator is deadly and people are being killed by them regularly. I apologize to the shop in question.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Your LDS tech is full of crap. Find a new one and tell him to go pound salt. He's not only drinking but snorting the ScubaPro koolaid.

 

[ti325v]

I HATE XS Scuba, but have nothing bad to say about their regs...their customer service reps are nasty, thoughtless and incompetent, but their gear is okay by me.
My 2 cents....your lds is screwing with you. I have worked in many shops that swear by aqualung, hundreds of dives between rebuilds..Come on folks unless you are talking about the bleeding edge, in blind tests I bet 95% of divers could not tell one well serviced reg from another.
Scuba pro is great stuff as is the gear from a dozen other manufacturers, ask to see the source of their info.
With thousands of dives, I can sense the difference, but for the average recreational diver...No way. unless it is a poorly serviced unbalanced piston first stage..

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I have been using a xs tri-metal regulator for about a year and half. I took it to get serviced at my LDS in Franklin, TN. When I took it in the tech said that he had serviced a bunch of them and that they were "dangerous" at depth. Not uncomfortable but flat out dangerous. When I got the reg back he said that he had confirmed on the bench that the breathing effort would increase substantially at 60 ft and that at 100 ft it would be "very difficult" to breath. My finance picked the reg up so she is freaking out and asked him if he could fix the problem and he said that he can't because it is inherent in the design....

I'd be curious how he "confirmed on the bench" what the work of breathing would be at various depths ..... My understanding is to do that he would need a full breathing simulator like the BIG manufacturer's use, and the cost of one of those babies my be more than an entire LDS is worth.....

Or, maybe he just confirmed that he has no reason being anywhere NEAR a scuba repair bench, and should slowly set down his tools and step away from the bench before he hurts himself

Find a new LDS.

Best wishes.

 

[halocline]

It never fails to amaze me what these guys will say. Is this the same shop in TN that was mentioned in an old thread about charging a $75 'inspection fee' for OW students that brought their own mask/fins/snorkel? That place said that it was an "insurance liability requirement" that they do this for any gear brought in the shop from outside.

As leadturn says, I don't know of any way to test a reg's flow at depth other than with a chamber. Maybe you could ask him to explain exactly why he thinks what he does, that should be entertaining. All open circuit (non-rebreather) regulators compensate for depth exactly the same way; by using a chamber exposed to ambient pressure to increase the IP so that it stays a constant X over ambient. This means that other than flow restrictions, all regulators breathe more or less the same at 130 ft as they do at 1 ft. This is yet another of the lovely dive shop myths used to sell gear.

 

[mike_s]

I have been using a xs tri-metal regulator for about a year and half. I took it to get serviced at my LDS in Franklin, TN.

I assume this is Bluewater Scuba, which was the old Middle Tennessee Swim and Scuba before it was sold, re-aquired, and then "bought out"?


Was this bought from MTSS before they went under and then being warrantied by the new shop who bought them?



According to this Bluewater Scuba Service, XS Scuba is not listed as a "brand they service"

I wonder if they don't know how to fix it and then therefore are frustrated and want you to buy one of the brands they represent?


Accord to XS Scuba website, they don't list Bluewater as a dealer. (but MTSS is. so they might be still listed under them. but Bluewater had another Nashville location and they aren't listed either...)

When I took it in the tech said that he had serviced a bunch of them and that they were "dangerous" at depth. Not uncomfortable but flat out dangerous.

While their reg isn't as mainstream as some of the other brands, It's been rather well listed as a solid performer.

It was even listed in Scubalabs "Muscle Regs" review a few years ago and ranked up with with the "big brands".

 

[herman]

Your LDS tech is full of crap. Find a new one and tell him to go pound salt. He's not only drinking but snorting the ScubaPro koolaid.

Don't hold back Jim, tell us how you really feel....and I agree with you.

I would almost would come to Tenn and take the reg in myself just the hear what they say, oh the fun I would have. What you have is a basic flow through piston first stage with a common design balanced second stage......and guess what, darn nearly the exact same design as the Scubapro they want to sell you. They are both solid proven designs, keep the regs and find a better dive shop. If you don't have a good service center in your area I can get you in touch with one that is here in Raleigh.

 

[Hatul]

In my experience it's not uncommon for a dive shop to put down brands they don't sell. But to say it's dangerous to get you to buy their brand is very unethical.

Adam

 

[Couv]

I agree with the Usual Suspects, take your business elsewhere. That shop cannot be trusted.

c