Ocean Divers "brands"

[Jimmer]

hey guys, has anyone ever compiled a list of what end user brands are the same Ocean Divers regs? Ie. HOG/DiveRite/TDL/Salvo/Scuba Max etc. The reason I ask is that my shop is downsizing and has had a scubamax diaphragm reg in for a few years, and if it's the same as the HOG/DiveRite regs, I might grab it and add the 5th port.

Anyone know for sure?

Jim

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Hi Jimmer,

My understanding is that while these regs may be coming out of the same factory in Taiwan, they are "spec'ed" somewhat differently for each brand. I beileve HOG in particular went to great lengths to tweak their particular product. So, while I may be wrong, I "believe" that a Dive Rite does not equal a HOG with a different purge cover, etc.

Which does not mean one different "spec" is inferior, just different, or intended for a different "audience"?

Be interested in hearing an insider's view.

Best wishes.

 

[Zung]

In this thread, cerich (Edge) said: "... I took a off the shelf design from my OEM and modified it over a 18 month period of testing..."
And later, explicitly: "... I truly am paying more for a higher quality chrome job..."

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

In this thread, cerich (Edge) said: "... I took a off the shelf design from my OEM and modified it over a 18 month period of testing..."
And later, explicitly: "... I truly am paying more for a higher quality chrome job..."

Thanks brother Zung, I had vaguely remembered cerich explaining something like that.

What the consumer ends up with is good quality reg that has be produced by a good quality factory, but built to "custom" specs.

From reports by the folks who have purchased the HOG regs who also own more expensive brands, they feel that the HOG regs meet or exceed the workmanship & performance of the more expensive brands.

This is great for the consumer.

Best wishes.

 

[Jimmer]

I can deal with a different spec, compared to a DiveRite or HOG, I'm more interested in if these Scuba Max regs will use service kits from HOG or DiveRite. If so, it may be worth grabbing and using as my single tank reg.

 

[Zung]

That shouldn't be a problem at all. You didn't say which ScubaMax you're talking about, but you should be able to make up your own service kit for a few bucks. Check this thread.

 

[Jimmer]

That thread while useful seems to be primarily about second stages, it's really the first stage I'm worried about getting parts for, as I'll likely put a couple of my old all metal second stages on it for cold water use. So if anyone knows if the important bits like the diaphragm and HP seat are interchangeable amongst the Ocean Divers regs, I'd love to know.

 

[herman]

Jimmer, for what it's worth, another of the regs was a Promate. Not sure if it’s still around now but anyway when they came out I ordered a service kit for them- $17, just to look it over. As best as I could tell, it would work fine in my Apek/Zeagle reg which was what I was looking to source parts for. I thought it might since all these regs are Apeks clones. I miked the critical parts and all of them were so close to the originals I had I am sure they would work. Never used it because I found a source for official kits but I think I will likely put a kit into my Zeagle next time, $40 kits are not something I intend to keep paying for. Since they are a "lowest cost possible" OEM for rebranded regs, it is very unlikely they would stray from the basic internal design. They likely make custom cosmetic changes to the outside for sellers to boast about and to hide the fact it's the same reg as half the other lesser known brands on the market. Internally where you need to R&D to make real changes, I seriously doubt they will mess with what works.

 

[Zung]

Great info, herman. Please do us a favor: gang up with Afishianado and do a thread on diaphragm first stages parts cross-referencing and substitution!

 

[Jimmer]

After looking at the Promate website, I think it was actually a Promate reg, not a ScubaMax they had, so that's good to know!