Ok, it's been a month since this announcement was first made. I waited before posting this (wholly unsolicited) feedback to see if I'd get used to it, but I haven't. I have to tell you that I just can't get used to the Aageon name. Trust me when I say that I'm not a guy that is averse to change. So this isn't about "why change what isn't broken?" or anything like that. I waited a full month before posting this because I wanted to see if I got used to it.
1) As a satisfied Deep 6 regs customer, I was drawn to the brand. The marketing was simple. "Here is our product. It's a phenomenal regulator. It's just the Deep 6 regulator. No model names or numbers. It's just us."
2) The word Aageon is hard to read and pronounce in your head. I'm sure that if you've researched it's pronunciation or heard somebody pronounce it...it comes naturally. But as somebody that has done neither of those things, it makes me stop every time I read it and think about how to pronounce it. It's such a small thing. Miniscule. But imagine adding a one second "pause" every time you read a product name. Does that make sense? Like, imagine that Jimmy John's was spelled Jimmy Jawhn's. Have you ever had a word that you wondered whether or not you were saying it correctly? Maybe you avoid being the first one in a group to say a word because you don't want to pronounce it incorrectly and feel stupid? That's how this word makes me feel every time I read it. I'm sure I could research the pronunciation in 60 seconds and solve the problem. But my overall issue is that I feel like a product name shouldn't make me feel that way. I know it has a deeper meaning, but I'm not sure that it's worth it.
In the end I think you would be better off with two regs. The "Deep 6 regulator" and "Deep 6 DGX regulator". Your entire brand is about simplicity. One thing. The best thing. It fits 80% of the market and we're unapologetic to the other 20%. Adding the word Aageon just doesn't fit the brand. At all.
Some other possibilities.
Deep 6 Premier regulator
Deep 6 Premium regulator
Deep 6 Original regulator (though original could also be taken as..."this is the first. There are better ones now.")
Whatever it is, it should be simple and elicit an instant impression that "out of all of them, this is the best". It doesn't bother me at all that you now have two models. I think it could be a good thing for competition in the marketplace. It is just the word "Aageon" that is odd in the entire thing.
Ok, I've said my peace. You can take it or ignore it...but I like you guys and your wonderful products too much not to say anything.
P.S. One more thing, I guess. Is it "Deep 6" or "Deep Six"? You guys sometimes use them interchangeably. I don't think you're doing yourselves any favors doing that. It really does cause brand confusion. It took me a little bit to find you guys on Facebook because it doesn't match what your domain is or how you write it when you post. They are on DGX as "DEEP SIX REGULATORS". Yet you started this thread as "Deep 6 DGX Reg". These small details absolutely kill SEO and brand recognition. Just pick one and enforce it everywhere. Personally, I like "Deep 6"