Regulators & Manufacturers Which I Should Pass on?

[hijax]

Some shops don't want to sell HOG because the "list price" is much lower than their competition, such as Aqualung and ScubaPro.

Shops like to sell higher priced regs because there is more profit in them. (more money in their pocket). Which doesn't do much good for you as the customer. :headscratch:

A quick search showed there are 5 HOG shops in the Ft Lauderdale Area. (2 in Ft Lauderdale and 3 just outside it).

check it out at ---> Store-Locator

Thanks for the heads up. Just spoke to Scuba Network and they do service Edge/HOG regs. That opens up my options since their a very large dive shop company.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Thanks for the heads up. Just spoke to Scuba Network and they do service Edge/HOG regs. That opens up my options since their a very large dive shop company.

If you do go with the HOG-branded regs and you find yourself in the planning stages of a far-off dive vacation, you may want to consider purchasing 1st stage and 2nd stage overhaul kits. You can keep them in your save-a-dive kit that you take with you on your trip. If the reg setup starts acting up while you're away and requires an overhaul, you could simply provide the overhaul kit(s) to the dive op. A reg tech who has worked on any diaphragm 1st stages and barrel poppet 2nd stages should know enough enough to be able to do the servicing for you.

I guess this means you'll either be selling your Titan reg or keeping it as a backup set, eh?
It's unfortunate that you've put less than 25 dives on your first reg setup and you're already upgrading.
The Titan is a very capable reg.

 

[mike_s]

If you do go with the HOG-branded regs and you find yourself in the planning stages of a far-off dive vacation, you may want to consider purchasing 1st stage and 2nd stage overhaul kits. You can keep them in your save-a-dive kit that you take with you on your trip. If the reg setup starts acting up while you're away and requires an overhaul, you could simply provide the overhaul kit(s) to the dive op.

I'd do this regardless of what brand it is. Edge/Hog just makes it a little easier as they don't hassle customers/dealers about selling the rebuilt kits direct or jack up the prices (too high).

now days dive operators and dive shops don't hardly stock much of anything in parts. I keep a complete rebuilt kit in my bag. Have never needed it, but didn't want not to have it on a liveaboard, etc.

 

[hijax]

I guess this means you'll either be selling your Titan reg or keeping it as a backup set, eh?
It's unfortunate that you've put less than 25 dives on your first reg setup and you're already upgrading.
The Titan is a very capable reg.

My apologies. I don't currently own any reg set. I asked my question to get a better understanding of the why/when a person would purchase a reg setup (e.g.: A Titan) and perhaps advanced to a supposedly more sophisticated one (e.g.: An Atomic).

Rey...

 

[mike_s]

My apologies. I don't currently own any reg set. I asked my question to get a better understanding of the why/when a person would purchase a reg setup (e.g.: A Titan) and perhaps advanced to a supposedly more sophisticated one (e.g.: An Atomic).

Rey...

Given the choice of a AL Titan or a Hog D1, they are similar in price, but the Hog D1 will have much better performance, than the Titan will.

That being said, the Titan is a good reg. I've dove them before and was happy with them.


nothing wrong with Atomic regs either. The times I've dove Atomic regs they breathed great. You'll find fewer dealers of them though if that's a concern, which I think it is.

 

[hijax]

You'll find fewer dealers of them though if that's a concern, which I think it is.

It certainly is but I think my question was answered. It sounds like (and correct me if I'm wrong) that most entry-level regs will handle my needs as an advanced open water diver. I don't plan on going down to incredible depths but I'd like to do some deep dives within normal rec limits. Seems like most regs will handle that from what I've read.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I'd do this regardless of what brand it is. Edge/Hog just makes it a little easier as they don't hassle customers/dealers about selling the rebuilt kits direct or jack up the prices (too high).

now days dive operators and dive shops don't hardly stock much of anything in parts. I keep a complete rebuilt kit in my bag. Have never needed it, but didn't want not to have it on a liveaboard, etc.

Meh. I haven't been lucky enough to do a lot of liveaboard trips. When I have, I just bring along a spare reg setup. If I have any issues with my reg set, I switch to my spare. I don't want to be doing anything more than changing the DIN/yoke o-rings on a liveaboard. Taking along all of my reg tools would kind of suck, too.

I use this same strategy on most dive-intensive vacations. My buddy and I bring along a spare set, which we've only had to use once.

My apologies. I don't currently own any reg set. I asked my question to get a better understanding of the why/when a person would purchase a reg setup (e.g.: A Titan) and perhaps advanced to a supposedly more sophisticated one (e.g.: An Atomic).

Ah. OK. There are a lot of good regs out there to choose from.

It sounds like (and correct me if I'm wrong) that most entry-level regs will handle my needs as an advanced open water diver. I don't plan on going down to incredible depths but I'd like to do some deep dives within normal rec limits. Seems like most regs will handle that from what I've read.

Yup.

 

[kwinter]

Keep in mind that some complanies include free lifetime service parts as well as a lifetime warranty as long as you have it serviced regularly (1-2 years depending on the company). The service kits range from $15-$35 per stage. If you have a simple system of one first and two second stages, that can easily be $50-$100 in parts every time you service it. Any savings from buying second hand, grey market, or a brand that doesn't include parts quickly disappears.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

Any savings from buying second hand, grey market, or a brand that doesn't include parts quickly disappears.

This statement could be a little misleading.
Divers who have purchased used or "grey market" regs can choose to service the regs when they need it. Depending on how well the diver maintains his reg, the longevity of the lube, and the overall wear on pressure seats/o-rings, a reg could easily go longer than 2 years in-between overhauls.
If the reg owner feels compelled to get the reg serviced annually (whether it needs it or not), then I agree that the "free lifetime service parts" looks more attractive. Bear in mind that the labor fees for servicing will be $50-$80 for a reg setup consisting of one 1st stage and 2 second stages.

 

[kwinter]

I've seen regs that were not even used that needed service after 2 years from dry rot. I think even with good maintenance and storage, 2 years is the outside. I believe there are a couple of manufacturers that give lifetime parts and require service every 2 years. I have at least 20 regs. Some bought new and some used. Just my opinion based on experience.