Randini has it mostly correct.
First time, I returned from a week of diving 3 times a day, with high pressure tanks filled to 3400, no leaks, or any evidence of wear,cracks,etc. I check my gear carefully before each dive and my buddy and I check each others gear while diving. Regs worked fine and no leaks or bubbles. Dropped of regs for annual servicing, not because they needed it, but to maintain the BS 'free parts for life' warranty. Shop told me my HP quick release computer hose had a leak. I trusted them and had them replace the hose. When I picked up the gear, the "new hose" looked used. They told me they were able to save me some money with the perfectly good used hose.$75 vs 125. I didn't question it or check prices elsewhere, I thanked them for finding the leak. The next time I used the regs, they were not tuned well, freeflowed at random and whistled at depths below 60 ft. Had them adjusted by bruce bokar in bonaire and they worked great. Fast forward a few years, Bring regs in to maintain warranty and to prepare for upcoming trip. They told me a week, two at the max. Call after 10 days, not done, three weeks, not done, 4th week get a call to pick them up, but the computer hose is leaking. They tell me that they don't have one in stock, but they might have a used one at home that they would let me have because a new one wouldn't arrive on time. Again, I thanked them when I picked up my gear. As I was leaving, I noticed their tone change when I mentioned how fragile these hoses are, since it was the second time it happened. I then said that it looked longer than my old hose, and I would like to compare it to my old one. He was just about to hand me back my old hose, but pulled back at the last minute, took a pair of snips from the workbench and cut my old hose before handing it to me. When I asked why he did that he said that he didn't want it to be mistakenly used. I looked in disbelief at what had just happened, took my gear and never went back. Even if I give them the benefit of the doubt, they should have returned any replaced parts, or they should have demonstrated the leak to me. What convinced me that something else was going on was the way he cut the hose. He was not going to let me leave the store with my old hose in a condition that could be tested. I hindsight, my first clue should have been how they portrayed ScubaBoard in a negative way.
---------- Post added June 27th, 2013 at 03:17 AM ----------
TL DR: SP is overmarketed. Switched to atomic,lived happily ever after.
