Local Pawn Shop find: double Xstreams

[tmassey]

The second stage has lovers and haters, but as a side exhaust, it just shouldn't put bubbles in your face. I don't get that complaint, Tim.

What can I say. I’ve used XStream seconds and Jetstream seconds. Multiple dives each time I’ve tried, and I’ve tried multiple times with each design. I dive them with a long hose, without a 90* elbow. When I do so in horizontal trim, I get bubbles across my line of sight and they get caught in my hood. Even 20* head-up trim tends to lessen or eliminate that. But in solid horizontal trim i get bubbles and a cold head.

I’ve been told this is less of a problem when the hose isn’t “hog tied” around your neck, or by putting a 90* elbow (or swivel?) on it. I’m really not interested in either of those work-arounds, so I just keep diving my Apeks clones.

And maybe the fault is my big, bulbous head. While you may not “get” my complaint, I certainly do. But it’s just an anecdote, and my N only equals 1…

I mentioned the “throwing air” issue but I’ve never really considered it that much of an issue for me. I just know others do. I will say: be careful hitting that purge button! I’ve frozen a second stage on a cold (but not ice) dive, and I’ve caused myself to choke from high-speed droplets hitting the back of my throat: put your tongue in the mouthpiece first!

Like I said, I really want to like them. They are the coolest piece of regulator engineering I’ve ever seen. But even if your IP settings make them breathe exactly like any other reg, I don’t think it’ll solve my exhaust issue…

But heck: I still have a set of XStream firsts with Jetstream seconds (plus some Odin firsts with OPV’s)…. What’s another try gonna cost me?

 

[happy-diver]

However, $340 is a steal, and if they’re asking $340, I would offer $300: I’m certain that’s what they expect to get when they have a price of $340!

Didn't the guy from Pawnstars suggest you offer him $260 so he can meet you half way at $300 dude

 

[wdeutsch]

Just a thought from another angle...

Around here, most of the good stuff at pawn shops is stolen goods. Sure, there are laws that the shops can't sell stolen merch, but when you read the details, all that means is they can't sell items without first "asking" the local police dept if it's listed in their records as being stolen. If the police don't respond within a set time (usually a couple of weeks) then the shop is cleared to sell it, and most of the police agencies here don't have the time/staffing to keep up with the pawn shop records requests. So, effectively, they can sell stolen goods with no liability. Also, the folks stealing the goods know to pawn it out of their local jurisdictions to make it less likely it's discovered.

It's up to you whether you want the Juju associated with diving (likely) stolen kit. But, ask yourself how likely it is that someone legitimately pawned those for $200 or less, instead of selling themselves.

 

[randini]

I went back this morning. While I was talking with the shop manager, he showed me the shop's history and they bought them in 2019 for $450.

There's not a lick of corrosion or salt on them. I wonder if they've ever been diving (other than that pinch of sand that was in the reg bag). IP locked up at 9.0 bar with a 3000psi tank. And I see what you mean about air being shot out of them.

For now, I'm the happy owner of a set of Poseidon double tank regs. Thanks for the advice and guidance.

 

[happy-diver]

It's up to you whether you want the Juju associated with diving (likely) stolen kit.

Yeah hey like my accumulation of milk crates but it's ok I put myself on home detention with day release