Outrageous cost to service reg

[runsongas]

everything is expensive now with inflation. you can learn to self service to save a few bucks, but atomic kits are going to be more expensive, no way around it. at least if you seal it yourself, you can opt to use something cheaper than christolube to seal it.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Your loyalty often blinds you to reality. Here are the contents of the Atomic first stage kit. Does this look like $50?

Ok, I tell you what, why don’t you figure out each size (exactly), the material and the durometer of each and every one of those O-rings and buy them somewhere (BTW, you won’t get those at Home Depot), then you’ll need to source the filters somewhere, then source a high pressure seat or have a machine shop make you one. I see some bushings in there too.
Then get back to us with how much time you got into it and how much you spent.

Diving is a very expensive sport that attracts the cheapest sons of bitches in the world.

 

[Still Kicking]

So you wait until an issues develops at the most inconvenient time to service it?? This is just way too much fish manure.

Not if you know what you're doing. Calm down and get real.

 

[Boarderguy]

So you wait until an issues develops at the most inconvenient time to service it?? This is just way too much fish manure. Totally irresponsible.

For a diver that is averaging a dive every week to every other week I would suggest they knew what their regs are doing. I would also say with confidence that they would recognize when a fine reg like the Apeks is starting to misbehave. Breathing poorly or wet doesn't often happen out of nowhere. If they're cleaning and doing post dive care then the regs will be fine for more than an annual or semi annual service cycle. On top of that the alternative is selling the reg set and now renting a sub par kit.

Stop screaming death anytime someone says to avoid unnecessary maintenance and waste.

 

[Sebek]

Ok, I tell you what, why don’t you figure out each size (exactly), the material and the durometer of each and every one of those O-rings and buy them somewhere (BTW, you won’t get those at Home Depot), then you’ll need to source the filters somewhere, then source a high pressure seat or have a machine shop make you one. I see some bushings in there too.
Then get back to us with how much time you got into it and how much you spent.

Diving is a very expensive sport that attracts the cheapest sons of bitches in the world.

Service Kit for Atomic 1st Stages as 01-0102-5P - Scuba Gaskets

Scuba Gaskets - Service Kit for Atomic 1st Stages as 01-0102-5P. service kit for atomic.

scubagaskets.com

That's $30, retail. Not disagreeing with you, but it's definitely possible to make these parts for less.

 

[lexvil]

So much passion.
It’s expensive and there is kit price gouging across the board but if you dive enough and have a few basic tools and parts it no big deal to monitor the condition and see problems before they happen.

The arbitrary “schedule” is a practical thing form the brand point of view but with some slight care post dive it can be extended by a lot, safely.

There are ways to control the cost but just like gas for your car it costs what it costs and the option is to not drive or dive.

 

[GF99/99]

Ok, I tell you what, why don’t you figure out each size (exactly), the material and the durometer of each and every one of those O-rings and buy them somewhere (BTW, you won’t get those at Home Depot), then you’ll need to source the filters somewhere, then source a high pressure seat or have a machine shop make you one. I see some bushings in there too.
Then get back to us with how much time you got into it and how much you spent.

Diving is a very expensive sport that attracts the cheapest sons of bitches in the world.

I did this exact thing for my Apeks regs. and the JJ CCR Apeks O-ring sizes - another thread check post 7 you can download
the little sheet I made also it is 1:1 scale if you print it. I buy all my o-rings from theoringstore.com or mcmaster on average a 100pack is about $2-3. But HP seats, diaphragms, filters etc. I just get from the Apeks service kits. There cheap enough its not worth it.

It is actually a super easy and cheap way to keep your regs up and running. Especially if you like me and you have 15 of them.

 

[34109411]

Hello all,

I have been meaning to write up a post on this since I had my regulator serviced earlier this year. I went to my LDS to get my Atomic Z2-Oceanic Alpha 8 serviced in preparation for this dive season. I was shocked when I was told what the amount due was: $232.19. I don't think I ever paid more than $160 with other dive shops; I was previously servicing my regulator with different shops in Fort Lauderdale for 4 years as this was where I was living up until last summer. I also have a backup set that I service on the off years that I don't service my primary set (the Z2 is serviced every 2 years).

I have attached my final invoice so you can see the service details.

• Did I pay a reasonable amount given that I received the service from a shop in Miami, FL?
• What is a reasonable price to pay for servicing a regulator?

It would be great to see how the prices compare in different geographic areas.

In short, if this is the amount that I will be charged for service, then I don't think I can justify paying this amount and will consider selling my two regulator sets and will be renting them instead.

Thank you for reading this post and I am looking forward to your replies.

the hourly rate if i understand is 86$ ? That seem a bit excessive at my localdive shop if half that and it's canada.

Service kit vary from 50 to cad, they charge you 50 us.

bit on the hight side in my opinion

Servi

 

[Still Kicking]

the hourly rate if i understand is 86$ ? That seem a bit excessive at my localdive shop if half that and it's canada.

Service kit vary from 50 to cad, they charge you 50 us.

bit on the hight side in my opinion

Servi

What is the hourly labor rate for an auto mechanic doing oil changes?

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

What is the hourly labor rate for an auto mechanic doing oil changes?

Auto service shops in my area are around $175 hr.
BMW in San Francisco is probably $275 hr.
Divers start screaming when dive shops go over $50 hr.
So a reg tech should only make $25 hr? Half needs to go to the shop.
What about when a reg is all crusty and needs extra work, is the shop supposed to eat that just because some cheap ass thinks shops charge too much?
Start servicing the stuff yourselves you cheap asses. And when you screw it up don’t cry when the bill is double because you scarfed up a bunch of stuff inside and it won’t hold IP now.