New diver with a bunch of gear...can you tell me what's good?

[fishmunger]

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/fishmunger/DSC00683.jpg?t=1172947990

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/fishmunger/DSC00682.jpg?t=1172948072

As you can see I have 2 primaries, one with 3 hoses and the other with 4...the 2 hose one says "service at 3000 psi" and the 4 hose one says "service at 4000 psi">>dont know what this means? what's better? Also the holes where the hoses connect are bigger on the 3 hole one (maybe 3/8 vs. 1/4 or something like that)...

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/fishmunger/DSC00680.jpg?t=1172948208

I have 2 consoles, 1 with an old datamax sport computer (non-replaceable battery-its dead-what now?). I also have some extra depth gauges so maybe I can just bail on the comp and pop when in-- go analog for both sets...?

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/fishmunger/DSC00679.jpg?t=1172948329

1 reg says "octopus" the other "aquarius"

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/fishmunger/DSC00678.jpg?t=1172948389

1 reg says "mark XIV" the other "SE"

>>I've heard these regs are good, I'm trying to take both sets and sort them into 1 GOOD one set (with the best pieces) and a backup with the less desireable ones...

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/fishmunger/DSC00677-1.jpg?t=1172948507

all together now

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/fishmunger/DSC00674.jpg?t=1172948552

1st set

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s126/fishmunger/DSC00675.jpg?t=1172948576

2nd set


Ok, sorry might be kinda daunting, but I really could use some insight here.

One scuba shop told me: "That stuff is old, even if we work on it, it will be safe BUT uncomfortable (hard-breathing). You'd be better off if you stepped this way and bought all this new stuff...blah blah blah..."

I'm in college at UCSB, have no money, and want to go catch some lobsters in the kelp beds, I can't afford new stuff, and according to some searches on this board...this stuff doesn't seem all too bad?

thanks for the help guys, loving this place already...

Nate

 

[divinginn]

those regs are probably better than what they were wanting to sell you,i would go with the conshelf 14,the us navy still uses them and they are still being made. i think you can change the battery in that computer,its simular to the one i use,mine took a very small torx tip to open up and a 5 dollar battery from radio shack.

 

[divinginn]

i would probably try to find a new shop,if they cant make them breath right,they need to quit working on them,they were bsing you which usually makes me walk out of the store and not come back.

 

[fishmunger]

thats what I was afraid of. I figured they might try to take advantage of me. so the best bet would be the 14 and the...?

thanks Mark

Nate

 

[oly5050user]

nothing wrong with the stuff,except looks like needs good cleaning and probaby overhauls..good for what you want to do and where you aree in life..We maintain gear like that all the time here in NY for local divers..Breathes just fine and can compare with new gear in performance when overhauled correctly.

 

[divinginn]

they both look like aqualung 1st stages,i would go with the one with the most ports,the conshelf 14 has 3 ports,not sure what the other is but if its 4000 lb rated its probably a later conshelf if it aqualung or us divers,same thing. clean them up and hook them to a tank to check for leaks or freeflow,they are pretty bulletproof regs. Diluted vinegar works well to clean the crud off and out of them. they should be taken to a shop and serviced,ask on here for a recomendation for a good shop,not sure where you live.

 

[fishmunger]

im in Santa Barbara. the guy i bought them from was an instructor and said he serviced them himself recently, they sure seem to work good. I just got back from the pool, I was messing around with them in 10 ft, everything seems good...should i make the 3 port, 4000 psi first stage my backup? and use the 4 port as my go-to rig. the ports on the 4 port one are smaller btw...

thanks,

Nate