Purchasing First Reg: Closest Shop is 3 Hours Away

[Beau Holden]

DGX or Dive Rite. Dive Rite parts you can get from DGX or Northeast Scuba. Been doing business with these guys for years.

If these are still available, you could pick them up. Only reason I have not, is that I have 5 sets of them already. It would an investment of around $200 (including 1st round of service kits) to begin servicing them yourself.

For Sale - Selling used Dive Rite RG2500ICE First and Second Stage + Yellow long hose.

Selling set of used Dive Rite RG2500ICE regulators (RG1208ICE First Stage + RG2010 Second Stage). Includes spare inflator hoses and Dive Rite SPG (short hose). DIN Connector. The Dive Rite First Stage regulator employs a balanced diaphragm mechanism with 300 Bar DIN connection. The first stage...

scubaboard.com

For Sale - Selling #3 used Dive Rite RG2500ICE First + Second Stages.

Selling a used set of Dive Rite RG2500ICE regulators (RG1208ICE First Stage + RG2010 Second Stage + Salvo Second Stage). This recreational set up comes with a spare DR Yoke adaptor, spare inflator hose plus one spare Dive Rite pressure gauge. The Dive Rite First Stage employs a balanced...

scubaboard.com

 

[davecampbell]

where are you going to get fills?

 

[Litefoot]

Sounds like you have a good plan. I live in a very rural area also. I buy my regs online and send them off for service with good results. Just saying you have options. Enjoy your diving.

Never considered the shipping option. That opens up a lot of possibilities.

I agree with the post, in that sending your gear off for repair is another decent option, even though the shop that the OP mentioned is within, wow, three hours. That also opens you up to any number of great brands that your not-so local dive shop may not carry.

Regardless, regulator servicing can be spotty at best; and there are a number of members on SB who would be happy to recommend a technician who damn-well knows what he or she is doing . . .

I servicing my own stuff a viable option? The shops I have visited seem to think I'm taking my life into my own hands if I attempt it. I kind of get that. But....

You can get Diverite and DGX service kits from DGX. And if you’re looking at the DGX BPW you may want to look at this package.

DGX Custom - DGX Gears Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing + DGX Gears D6 Reg Package

A basic DGX Harness / Backplate / Wing and our DGX D6 regulator package for single tank diving at a value price.

www.divegearexpress.com

I'm looking at that very package. I wish there were more reviews on the DGX regs.

Deep6 for the regs would be my recommendation.

Please elaborate. I'm all ears. Thanks.

IMO, there's not much point in building a relationship with a shop that far away.

Instead, I'd buy either from Deep6gear.com or one of the shops with a national footprint through their web store that have a solid mail in service department like scuba.com (formerly leisurepro.com), scubatoys.com or diverightinscuba.com. If you have a local independent that sells Edge HOG regs, that would work too.

Parts availability for self servicing can be tricky in the US. All of the major manufacturers restrict parts sales to consumers. I have had to buy Mares parts from Italy (BTW, I've had good luck with these guys MARES REGULATORS ). You can find original or aftermarket service kits for a few of the classic regs some of which are still being sold new, for example from Regulator Service Kits .

The major exceptions are Deep6 and Edge HOG. Both offer service kits and self service courses, although you might need to travel for them. Hog parts can be purchased by anyone. Last I heard (you should confirm with them before purchasing) Deep6 wants to see that you are trained to service diaphragm regs before they will send you a kit, either through one of their courses or something similar such as the HOG course or @rsingler 's comprehensive online course.

You have time either way. Pretty much all new regs have 2 year service intervals.

Thanks. That's a lot of good information. I'll check out the Deep6 site too.

where are you going to get fills?

Uh, I don't know. I guess I have a big hole in my plan. LOL! I guess I might need to re-think things.

 

[Bigbella]

I servicing my own stuff a viable option? The shops I have visited seem to think I'm taking my life into my own hands if I attempt it. I kind of get that. But....

The first time that I had disassembled a first stage was actually a bit disappointing, considering its simplicity. I was really hoping for something . . . more.

That said, I would encourage anyone with even the slightest inclination, to eventually service their own gear. @rsingler offers a fantastic course, a few times a year, usually over a marathon weekend, and I learned more, just sitting in, once or twice, than in any of the manufacturer's seminars that I had ever attended.

Trusting a good many dive shops to competently service your gear, poses far more of a risk to personal safety, in my experience; and tales of botched LDS-serviced equipment are legion on SB . . .

 

[Robert H. Diver]

The DGX regs breathe great…

 

[MichaelMc]

I servicing my own stuff a viable option? The shops I have visited seem to think I'm taking my life into my own hands if I attempt it. I kind of get that. But....

Servicing second stages is rather easy for the modestly mechanically inclined. First stages are harder and need more tools, such as an appropriate scale torque wrench, possibly guides for inserting internal o-rings, being very meticulous about cleanliness and not scratching internal sealing surfaces.

ETA: Some second stages are dirt simple, such as nice vintage regs like the ScubaPro 109 and 156. Some are more involved but not at all complex, such as ScubaPro G250 and Deep6 Signature. Some seem needlessly complex, typically in the adjustment knob. Grabbing a 109 or 156 is a good plan, if just as an initial simple service practice reg and as a spare parts kit backup.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I have decided to purchase all my gear because a lot of my diving will be 30 minutes north of me and the nearest dive shop is three hours away.

So I have to ask, where are you getting fills? Your own air compressor or a friend with one?

I already have the basics (including a computer), but I'm now looking at regulator, BC and exposure suits. I've pretty much decided on DGX D6 BP/W for a BC and I'm leaning toward Mako Spearguns for a wetsuit. But I'm open to thoughts about these before purchasing.

I can't speak for Mako's wetsuits, but the other products I've purchased from them are well made.

Since you are a cold water diver, having a BP/W with STA helps reduce the amount of lead you need to add. I'd suggest buying trim pockets for both cylinder straps, and them some waist pocket system for the BP/W you choose. I like Deep 6 for the quick drying. I wish they made a wing for doubles, as I'd buy that in a heartbeat.

I'd like to purchase regulator/octo at a dive shop to take advantage of their expertise in servicing the reg. But with my living in a remote area, I think I need to learn to do my own service. So I need a reg that would be less complicated to service and would have good parts availability. I would be diving in cold water and with some silt/sediment, so a sealed unit would be preferable. Your would be appreciated. Thanks again!

You don't have an LDS. 3 hours away is mailing distance. If you decide to service yourself, one of the people here, @rsingler , provides a weekend seminar in servicing regs. He wrote the new manual for the Deep 6 regulator which is found here: Service Manual. Deep 6 also provides training that can be done remotely. I would recommend downloading and reading this manual, as Rob did a great job having a tutorial facet to it.

You'd want to get Scuba Regulator Maintenance and Repair: A Complete All-Makes Guide to Scuba Regulator Servicing, Troubleshooting, Repair and Tuning by Vance Harlow if you can find it. And also Regulator Savvy Book | Scuba Tools.

Don't hesitate to ask questions as there are some people who are quite knowledgable (like Rob, hopefully he chimes in since I tagged him).

 

[rsingler]

Sorry, guys. I'm still in Raja Ampat. Internet is very sketchy. Talk with y'all soon.

 

[NothingClever]

Contact @LandonL - he’s the co-owner of Deep6 Gear and may offer a virtual course if the nearest dive shop is 3 hours away.

 

[NothingClever]

Sorry, guys. I'm still in Raja Ampat. Internet is very sketchy. Talk with y'all soon.

That’s lame. You should come back to the internet where the real diving is. We even argue pointlessly. Betcha don’t have that at Raja Ampat.