New to diving - Scubapro R108

[Kris69]

Hi,

Just startet diving. Bought a really cheap set of divegear. After some investigation I found that the Second stages are the Scubapro R108 (nordic?)and the Spirotechnique 25/10. First stage - unknown. Really old stuff. I've used my gear approx 10 dives with no problems. I had it serviced before use.

My question is:
Should I be worried about the age of my equipment? Would it be better to buy a newer 1 st and 2 nd stage? I live in Oslo (Norway) so the temperature can be pretty low. At the moment I'm really ok with my old stuff but after some comments from my dive buddies I'm starting to wonder.

Kristian

 

[Luis H]

If the regulator is well serviced it will work fine.

The Scubapro 108 is close to bulletproof, but it is not one of the best performing regulators. Then again there are plenty of modern plastic regulators that work with the exact same demand valve and don’t really perform any better than your vintage 108.

The fact that it is a metal case will make it a much better regulator for cold water than any plastic modern regulator. It will have a much less tendency to freeze and you will avoid dry mouth.

There are some vintage regulators that the design is truly obsolete or it was a poor design to begin with, but the 108 is not one of them. The design of the 108 has been copied on many modern regulators, but most are using less expensive plastic molded parts.

Age alone is not a reason to retire a well maintained, well designed regulator. Personally, I rarely dive any of my modern regulators, I mostly dive one of my vintage double hose regulators or occasionally one of my Scubapro 109 (now that is a high performance second stage).

Spirotechnique also made good regulators, but I am not familiar with them. And of course I could not comment on an unknown first stage.


Good luck.

 

[Couv]

Hello Kristian,

Welcome to Scuba Board....your dive buddies are jealous, they look like rookies and you don't.

How about posting pictures of your regulators? In the meantime, search this site for clues to the make of your regulator.

http://www.scubacollector.de/index.html

couv

 

[Packhorse]

I agree with Luis. The 108 is not a fantastic 2nd stage by any means but being metal instead of plastic it is better than most of the current similar designed 2nd stages available.
If you like the retro look but want something a bit higher performance then get a 109. I sold both my S600s after I brought my first 109. I now own 4 or 5.
With well designed and maintained gear age is of little concern.

 

[Kris69]

Thanks for the information on the regulators and the advice. Will stick to my vintage gear for now. Guess I'll invest in something newer at a later stage.

Excellent site!

Kristian