New Free Parts for Life on Scubapro regs.

[halocline]

I seemingly remember Chris from HOG not totally mentioning his price but saying it was way more than what most thought it would be. To the point where his costs for one part were higher than most people thought the entire kit should sell for. Sometimes we have to take into account the fact that scuba parts are not always as common as we would hope.

Although I am all for Scubapro offering parts to those capable of repairing their own regulators, it is probably only a dream. Depending on how this 2 year deal works out will dictate if I keep my MK25's and S600's or sell them, buy a set of HOG's and put money in my pocket.

It depends on how you calculate costs, and there are lots of ways. But the actual purchase price of the components in the rebuild kits in bulk at wholesale from suppliers will be quite low. If you start adding in 'costs' like packaging, inventory, transfer, space in warehouses, etc....it could add up. The problem with some of these extra 'costs' is that the manufacturer has to absorb them anyway simply to build the regulators.

Hard parts, maybe custom soft parts like purge covers, sure, they're going to cost something. But a few o-rings, seats, and bushings? Pennies. The most hilarious mark up I've seen is an unbalanced 2nd stage kit (R190)....a puck seat, 2 o-rings, and a nylock nut, for $20.

Eventually SP will have to start selling parts and kits on the open market in the U.S. They already have to in Europe, and there will simply be too much pressure from newer smaller companies that sell parts. There's simply no going back to the pre-online days. Personally I think the disconnection of dive gear sales and dive instruction will be key to changing the sales model. And the dive industry will be better off for it.

 

[OldNSalty]

So has anyone thought about putting together an after market rebuild kit for some of these regs?

 

[redacted]

So has anyone thought about putting together an after market rebuild kit for some of these regs?

Shop Online

And his offerings are expanding.

 

[beaverdivers]

I think it is great. Are they still going to require you to purchase everything up front to get the program and will it apply to older equipment (can I start bring stuff in every 2 years if I was under a program requiring annual service)?

Yes, a B.C., reg. and computer need to be purchased to qualify.

If your gear is in the program, meaning that you have had it serviced in the last year, then you will get free parts when you get it serviced.

 

[redacted]

Yes, a B.C., reg. and computer need to be purchased to qualify.

If your gear is in the program, meaning that you have had it serviced in the last year, then you will get free parts when you get it serviced.

Will older regulators that are currently in the previous PFL program also be placed on the 2 year service interval requirement?

 

[OldNSalty]

Shop Online

And his offerings are expanding.

That freak'n rocks! I've got an old XIV that I really want to try to service myself...now to get a list of tools and order a couple of kits and I just might be able to pull it off

 

[beaverdivers]

Will older regulators that are currently in the previous PFL program also be placed on the 2 year service interval requirement?

Yes, older regs that are current and in the previous free parts for life program have been placed in the new 2 year program.

 

[Peter_C]

Yes, older regs that are current and in the previous free parts for life program have been placed in the new 2 year program.

What if I am at a year and a half right now, so technically not within warranty?



I wish it was easy and cost effective to get service kits for MK25's and S600's, as my regs work great, I have all the tools necessary to rebuild them and no fear tearing them down. I think I can handle it! Too bad Scubapro thinks their technician that has 1/1000th the mechanical experience I do will do a better job.

 

[redacted]

What if I am at a year and a half right now, so technically not within warranty?



I wish it was easy and cost effective to get service kits for MK25's and S600's, as my regs work great, I have all the tools necessary to rebuild them and no fear tearing them down. I think I can handle it! Too bad Scubapro thinks their technician that has 1/1000th the mechanical experience I do will do a better job.

The Mk25 is a problem because of the unique HP seat. The rest is all standard parts. But that HP seat is fairly long lived so you can reuse it as long as reasonable IP stability can be maintained. If you are servicing because of IP stability problems, just cleaning the seat and the piston seating surface often returns satisfactory performance. If IP is OK and you are just doing a periodic clean and lube or even if you have a leaking o-ring that needs to be replaced, those are services that you can perform without replacing the seat.

The S600 uses a fairly common rivet style LP seat use in most (maybe all) balanced barrel poppet designs. If you can not get the Scubapro brand, other brands as well as aftermarket versions like the one from Trident will work fine. Also, if the seat is still performing well, a good cleaning and lube can be done without seat replacement. Also, leaks from any of a number of o-rings in the balance chamber array or on the orifice can also be cured without seat replacement. If you are not going to replace the seat, do not remove it or disturb it as it sits in the poppet or performance will suffer as the seat must take a new set around the old groove.

 

[beaverdivers]

What if I am at a year and a half right now, so technically not within warranty?.

If you have had your Scubapro reg. serviced after Oct. 4, 2010, it should be in the new system. It is within the new 2 year period.