Regulator sourcing discussion

[Slamfire]

so i see that servicing your own equipment is a big thing for the hogs.
I have heard that SOOOOOOOO many times; that this is one of the key factors for buying the hog.
I wonder how many people actually service their own?
- sorry but $800 investment doesn't seem to cheap to me or even an option for the average rec diver.
how many services does that equal if you had a shop do it?
for me- $100-120 bucks every two years for services - equals to 14-16 years of diving to get return in that investment!

I think the only Hog equipment that I own are the two slap straps that cerich gave me at the dive show. So I can't really be considered a Hog cheerleader nor can I personally speak about their reg quality. I can tell you this: I do not need permission from anybody to take apart my gear and service it myself. I spent waaay less than $800 getting prepared to service my own gear. It is not complicated and it gives me a whole new level of awareness in my diving. Now I am fully aware as to the state of the innards of my equipment whereas before, every dive was a "trust me" dive with respect to the state of my equipment.

So what is it that I like about Hog? It is simply this:

it isn't about divers saving money by servicing their own gear, it's about treating [-]technical[/-] divers as adults and if they are interested in doing so making it possible and supporting them.

Hog tells me they'll try to treat me as an adult whereas other big name "high quality" companies are trying to save me from my own self with their army of factory certified technicians...

Look at what Aqualung is telling me as a user when it comes to talk about one of their top line regs:

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Yoke US$995.00, DIN US$1,035.00
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Discover the new Legend

The new line of Legend regulators crafts the future with innovative technology and sleek cosmetic appeal. The new Legends are smaller and lighter making for a more comfortable dive. Whether you are jet setting to an exotic location or diving your local spot, the Legend will give you the confidence to dive like a pro and look like a rock star.

Be a Leader. Be an Icon. Be a Legend.

When you dive with a Legend, you’re diving with the best. So why not get one that looks the best too? There is no mistaking the rich look of pink gold. This head-turner exudes quality. The tougher-than-nails PVD finish will keep its good looks too as the pink gold is much harder and durable than traditional chrome plating.
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Rather than treating me like an adult, Aqualung offers me pink gold and looking like a rock star... Yep, they hit it right on the head. That's exactly what I'm thinking about when I'm getting ready to do a 200' dive. "Am I jetsetting enough like a rocK star? Maybe I need more pink gold? How about more cowbell?..." What am I!!!? 3 years old?

Hog says it's about treating their consumers like adults, but Tusa, when they talk about their regs, says "It's about attitude"...:

(I think this one is Zoolander behind a dive mask and a regulator--NOBODY has more attitude than Zoolander)

You like how Tusa talks to you as a consumer? Well, here's some more:

Seriously now, this is a very basic marketing issue. Communicate with your customers in their language and in a believable, relevant way. Whoever does it better that will gain ground faster than their competitors. Obviously big names have more advertising budget than Hog, but don't underestimate word of mouth, social media (includes SB), and fiercely loyal advocate/costumers. And informal channels like this usually convey more credibility than traditional paid advertising.

 

[Thalassamania]

Yes they did!

The Poseidon Story | Poseidon


LOL! Reminds me of the Monty Python sketch

Funny how they claim it on their website if it aint true?!

I see no claim that they invented the single hose regular, which would be wrong anyway since it was invented in Australia and produced by at least three separate companies that I know of prior to Poseidon producing one.

 

[Six2Life]

Seriously now, this is a very basic marketing issue. Communicate with your customers in their language and in a believable, relevant way. Whoever does it better that will gain ground faster than their competitors. Obviously big names have more advertising budget than Hog, but don't underestimate word of mouth, social media (includes SB), and fiercely loyal advocate/costumers. And informal channels like this usually convey more credibility than traditional paid advertising.

You are mistaken if you think that type of advertising targets the rational decision making process of potential customers. For an explanation, read Ed Bernays or take a look at the BBC Documentary "The Century of Self".

Another film that is relevant to modern marketing of any consumable (including regulators) is "The Lightbulb Conspiracy"

 

[cerich]

you're mistaken if you think I am following a formal marketing plan, it's been pretty much a by the fly approach.

You are mistaken if you think advertising targets the rational decision making process of potential customers. For an explanation, read Ed Bernays or take a look at the BBC Documentary "The Century of Self".

Another film that is relevant to modern marketing of any consumable (including regulators) is "The Lightbulb Conspiracy"

 

[Slamfire]

You are mistaken if you think advertising targets the rational decision making process of potential customers. For an explanation, read Ed Bernays or take a look at the BBC Documentary "The Century of Self".

Another film that is relevant to modern marketing of any consumable (including regulators) is "The Lightbulb Conspiracy"

Advertising is an element or part of an overall marketing strategy. At a more foundational level you have a brand strategy with a brand identity. When done properly, you carefully and very purposefully create an identity that will be reflected in your advertising. I do not deny that there might be people out there that would buy Kardashian branded regulators or gear endorsed by Paris Hilton. It is up to the brand creators to decide if that is really indeed their most profitable target market. We can argue all day long about the adequacy of different target market choices. We could even go as far as having very well backed arguings with lots of scientifically gathered statistical data supporting the decision to go for this or that other target market. At the end of the day, the market in itself is the final judge.

I am cynical enough to acknowledge that advertising does not need to target rational decision making processes. But I also recognize that there is a market segment out there that is attracted to at least the perception of a rational process. Besides, I'm sure that there are people out there that do find scuba diving as a perfectly rational jetsetting activity. What's rational to them might not be rational to me.

 

[Scott L]

Hogs have done very well in such a short period of time. It just gets a bit annoying when their supporters routinely squash any thought of another selection in thread after thread. I wish the company great success. Over and out...

 

[divad]

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What is that guy doing with his hands?

 

[Six2Life]

you're mistaken if you think I am following a formal marketing plan, it's been pretty much a by the fly approach.

I was more referring to the types of advertisement that Slamfire was complaining about. The HOG banner ad at the top of my screen right now is definitely in a different category than the mainstream type ads that the big boys use. I have not paid real close attention to all the HOG ads I've seen but I'd imagine most, if not all, attempt to appeal to the customer's intellect. Many people probably believe that the company that can make the best rational argument for buying their product will be the most successful. I am saying that this isn't necessarily true.

Also, speaking of your ad, I'm pretty sure it's "bourdon tube".

 

[cerich]

i could probably do better with a formal studied marketing approach for sure. Unlikely to happen however.

I was more referring to the types of advertisement that Slamfire was complaining about. The HOG banner ad at the top of my screen right now is definitely in a different category than the mainstream type ads that the big boys use. I have not paid real close attention to all the HOG ads I've seen but I'd imagine most, if not all, attempt to appeal to the customer's intellect. Many people probably believe that the company that can make the best rational argument for buying their product will be the most successful. I am saying that this isn't necessarily true.

---------- Post Merged at 02:56 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 02:50 PM ----------

Also, speaking of your ad, I'm pretty sure it's "bourdon tube".

I'm pretty sure you are correct, also that show REALLY old product. I need to do a new one. In fact it kinda sucks

I would like to do one that has one screen that says "If Quality, performance and value make you feel good click here, if paying more and thinking people think you're extra special cool because of it or you like people that judge you by how much money you spend...don't click here" Is that approach in a book somewhere?

 

[DA Aquamaster]

DA,

This may be a little OT, but could you comment on the migration of Scubapro reg production over the years? From what I understand SP started with US produced regs (Compton?), but then moved production to Italy, and finally outsourced to Tabata. Do you know the approximate dates that this happened, and if it was all models or a more slow movement of switching a model at a time from one facility to the other? Any difference in quality between the various manufacturing locations?

I know the black purge covered G500s were made in the US and the gray purge covered G500s were made in Italy. I think, and have had others agree, that the US made G500s were better than the Italian version, and better than the S600, but I think that had more to do with tooling and minor changes than where it was made.

Tabata made the Mk 5, so their relationship goes back a long way. I've never had any solid information on what was made where or how many outside sources Scubapro has used, but Tabata has been in the mix from the Mk 5 to at least the Mk 16 and their production facilities are state of the art.

The earliest (mid 60's) Scubapro second stages look exactly like Beuchat second stages of the same era - and if you see the first Jet Fins, you'll see the Beuchat name on them.