SCUBAPRO New parts for life program

[SangP]

One of the reasons why I refuse to buy scubapro / halcyon regs. A lot of unnecessary dos n don'ts followed by prices and marketing gimmicks that only serve the interests of the sp n not the customer. I'm glad that Hogs regs are eating away at their customer base.

 

[halocline]

I hate to say it now, but maybe your best bet is just using the 1982 SP reg (depending on what it is) and simply finding someone that can do a good job working on it. My absolute best SP regulator is older than that. Unless there's something wrong with it, if it was the high end of it's time (MK5/109 or air1 or pilot) you're not going to find anything that's significantly better. In fact there's nothing available now that comes close to the center balanced/coaxial valve 2nd stages for breathing performance, and it's very hard to compete with the reliability/overall performance of the MK5/109 combination.

Want to sell your old reg?

I agree that SP's new panic attack...oops I meant to say 'warranty policy adjustment' just seems to keep getting weirder and more complicated as they try unsuccessfully to remove their collective feet from the corporate mouth. It's obviously a company in a bit of a tizzy. But the best of the old regs are really hard to beat.

 

[redacted]

I ask only because I have owned SCUBAPRO since 1982, and want to purchase a new regulator set. I would like to clarify the new terms of SCUBAPRO's warranty.

While the company has a lot to dislike, most of their regulators, especially the older ones, are hard to beat. So, what regs do you have now and w3hy are you looking to replace (or augment) them?

 

[akeegan2]

While the company has a lot to dislike, most of their regulators, especially the older ones, are hard to beat. So, what regs do you have now and w3hy are you looking to replace (or augment) them?

Actually, I bought a SCUBAPRO MK5/AIR1/AIR2 in 1982. Switched to an old Sherwood OASIS a friend gave me in about 2004 (I still have that great set), and sold the SCUBAPRO. Just thought it was time to get into the 21st century, so I bought a SCUBAPRO MK25/S600 from my LDS. He let me return it when I started to ask questions about the SCUBAPRO warranty changes that neither he nor anyone else seemed to be able to answer. I still have a Nighthawk BC and an AIR2.

I'm looking at an Atomic Z2X now. Good, clear warranty. Thoughts?

 

[idive2]

I'm watching this policy as well. I like the every two years or 100 dives on the program better
then the every year. The kits on my reg are on the high side as far as pricing so I was happy to
get the kits covered on my last service. That being said the labor rate ended up being much higher
so not really sure how much was saved. I actually think it was a good move by Scubapro. Every two years
works for me. I don't mind paying a bit more on the labor side at the SP dealer as long as it's every two
years and not every year.

 

[Dr. Lecter]

I'm looking at an Atomic Z2X now. Good, clear warranty. Thoughts?

Solid choice, breathes the same as every other Atomic reg. If you want to gild the lilly, see if you can get your dealer to install a T2X lever in the Z2X second stage. Not sure how deep/overbreathing I would have to be for me to notice the difference without a ANSTI breathing machine, but I liked that my primary M1 had both levers.

Warranty-wise, it's hard to beat

This warranty is not contingent upon obtaining annual service, and will maintain in effect for the lifetime of the original owner. It is recommended however that maintenance include an annual safety inspection to be performed by an authorized Atomic Aquatics dealer or by the factory. Factory or authorized dealer servicing is required at intervals of 300 dive hours or 2 years, whichever occurs first.

In my experience, if you have a problem with it, just reach out to Atomic and you'll get a real person who is interesting in helping you out. Recent example: my local Atomic dealer has been flaky about ordering a couple tiny parts for my regs, dragging their feet for almost two months waiting to make it part of a bigger order rather than just getting me what I needed when I asked for them. One message to Atomic later and the situation has been quickly fixed.

 

[akeegan2]

If you want to gild the lilly, see if you can get your dealer to install a T2X lever in the Z2X second stage.

Thought all the Atomic demand levers were titanium. Something special about the T2X levers?

 

[Dr. Lecter]

The T2X has a magnum lever (gold in color) that supposedly improves breathing performance. Just based on comparing it to the standard M1 lever, I think it's an antifriction coating of some kind. If I was looking to use the M1s with greater than 40% O2, I'd switch the levers back.

Ok, here you go direct from Atomic in date order

T1 - original Titanium reg 1st and 2nd - no swivel, would need the piston upgrade - must be dedicated

Ti2 - same, original only titanium second and the first could have been brass OR titanium - ditto on the upgrade - must be dedicated

T1x - next version of the T1, new piston and 2nd stage titanium swivel added - must be dedicated

T2 - next version of the T1X- w/ new high flow case design, titanium swivel, new look and the new magnum lever which enhances preformace at depth - must be dedicated

T2x - the lastest and greatest, same features as the T2 only can go back and forth to 40% O2 "out of the box"

there are several conversion kits available to upgrade any of the older ones to be O2/EAN compatible (40%) - will need 2nd stage serial number to determine which one

hope this helps clarify. Any used regulator should be sent for an inspection/service IMHO before use. (by an authorized dealer or factory)

email me w/ any questions.
cheers,
Darcy

 

[halocline]

Actually, I bought a SCUBAPRO MK5/AIR1/AIR2 in 1982. Switched to an old Sherwood OASIS a friend gave me in about 2004 (I still have that great set), and sold the SCUBAPRO. Just thought it was time to get into the 21st century, so I bought a SCUBAPRO MK25/S600 from my LDS. He let me return it when I started to ask questions about the SCUBAPRO warranty changes that neither he nor anyone else seemed to be able to answer. I still have a Nighthawk BC and an AIR2.

I'm looking at an Atomic Z2X now. Good, clear warranty. Thoughts?

Can you get your MK5/air1 back?

The performance difference between the MK5/air1 and the sherwood oasis is huge; you went from one of the best breathing regulators of all time to a reliable workhorse that is not even in the same league as far as ease of breathing or air flow goes. And yet, you enjoyed diving every bit as much and probably did not notice any sort of problem with the sherwood. (AT least that you've mentioned) That's a good example of how: A) any decent regulator made by a reputable company is absolutely sufficient for recreational diving, and B) just how much hype there is in regulator design, comparison, and sales.

If you want to spend the money for a new atomic reg, I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. You should notice a very big improvement in performance from the sherwood. OTOH, if you bought another MK5 or MK10 with either a balanced/adjustable or G250 or D300/350/400 2nd stage, you would probably notice about the same boost in breathing ease. Of course there's no warranty with used regs; but to me that's almost meaningless. All regs need to be serviced occasionally, and unless they've been abused, don't really degrade over time. A good technician can restore a 20+ year old reg to as-new performance.

 

[akeegan2]

Can you get your MK5/air1 back?

If you want to spend the money for a new atomic reg, I'm sure you'll be very happy with it. You should notice a very big improvement in performance from the sherwood. OTOH, if you bought another MK5 or MK10 with either a balanced/adjustable or G250 or D300/350/400 2nd stage, you would probably notice about the same boost in breathing ease. Of course there's no warranty with used regs; but to me that's almost meaningless. All regs need to be serviced occasionally, and unless they've been abused, don't really degrade over time. A good technician can restore a 20+ year old reg to as-new performance.

All good points. I do sometimes miss the old Darth Vader AIR1. As far as used equipment, you're right. A good tech can do wonders. I kind of liked being able to service the old Sherwood myself, though. I just serviced it and put it up with an extra LP seat and its last Sherwood overhaul kit.

I guess I just wanted something new to last me the next 20 years. It's ironic I went from SCUBAPRO's high end to Atomic's low end, though. A kudo for my LDS manager friend; he didn't actually sell me the SCUBAPRO regulator, one of his people did. He said he would have pointed my to Atomics to begin with.

Seems to me I can't find ANY negative comments about the Z2X. Oh, just got off the phone with an Atomic tech. Answered all my inane questions pleasantly and without sounding bothered. Qualities SCUBAPRO tech support has been losing over the last few years.