Scubapro wants $225 for new battery on Aladin Air Z Nitrox Computer

[noreastDIVER84]

The reason they want that much is most likely because they are going to not only change the battery, but to a pressure test to make sure that there are no leaks. When you buy a good quality watch from either a jeweler or a watch specialist, they will tell you that anyone can change the battery but if you want the watch to last after diving with it they will tell you to do a pressure test. I have family in the jewelry business and they are also dealers for Rolex and other fine watches. I have had to find this out the hard way with a watch that luckily wasn't a Rolex, but was damn expensive.

 

[Hank658]

ScubaPro states, right in the first line of their warranty, that it applies to the original purchaser only. Whether you agree with this policy or not is somewhat secondary at the moment, and this topic has been repeatedly debated on this forum. Many of the Uwatec units are oil/gel filled. It's not as easy as swapping a battery in the Oceanic units. SP changes the battery, replaces the 'fill' and re-calibrates the unit to factory specs. Is it worth $225? Considering that the battery usually needs to be changed on a 3-5 year cycle (depending on use) there's a good chance that when the next cycle comes around you might be wanting something new and might offer this unit to someone else.
So while SP's policies may be more restrictive than other manufacturers they are up front about it. If you work within their warranty they take care of you as stated. If you buy used then you accept that you will not be covered. Pretty straightforward.

 

[wjefferis]

Sp is a great product, I just wouldn't buy any used SP gear . In the future always try to purchase computers with a user replacable battery feature. Having to send your computer back to SP (or any company) is never a good idea. Especially when most times you don't know how low your battery is untill you are going over your gear the day before your dive.

 

[Scott L]

ScubaPro states, right in the first line of their warranty, that it applies to the original purchaser only. Whether you agree with this policy or not is somewhat secondary at the moment, and this topic has been repeatedly debated on this forum. Many of the Uwatec units are oil/gel filled. It's not as easy as swapping a battery in the Oceanic units. SP changes the battery, replaces the 'fill' and re-calibrates the unit to factory specs. Is it worth $225? Considering that the battery usually needs to be changed on a 3-5 year cycle (depending on use) there's a good chance that when the next cycle comes around you might be wanting something new and might offer this unit to someone else.
So while SP's policies may be more restrictive than other manufacturers they are up front about it. If you work within their warranty they take care of you as stated. If you buy used then you accept that you will not be covered. Pretty straightforward.

$225.00 for $10.00 worth of parts? Do they have a cardiologist changing the battery? I say come up with a way to suddenly be the original owner.

 

[200 Bar]

Dont forget the shipping costs....Ill give ya 25.00 fer it !!

 

[adm3745]

I'd check some other shops too. That is an insane price.

 

[Hank658]

If the OO (original owner) can send it back, sure. SP has never been the least expensive manufacturer, from BC's to regs to service parts. So buying used SP opens one up to paying those charges. You pays your money, you takes your chances.

 

[emoreira]

I would not recommend purchasing Scubapro items in the future, even though I love my Mk25/S600 Din, I found out the used 10 times Uwatec Aladin Air Z Nitrox computer I bought from a local diver (had a dead battery) would cost $125 for the wrist/battery and $100 for the transmitter battery to be replaced, unless I was the original owner and then it would be replaced for free for life. This tells me you should never grow tired of your new gear (which becomes older and used) and hope to sell it so that you can upgrade and buy a new setup, because it's virtually going to be a money pit and worthless to the new buyer, because the Manufacturer gauges you for a battery (come on Scubapro). I can replace the battery in my Oceanic Pro Plus 2 for $15.00 and $6.00 in my Suunto Cobra computer and if I ever sell it, the new buyer can also replace them for the same prices. What message are you sending the diving community? I think the message is the same one you sent others in regards to the Aladin Air X Nitrox computers, the computer is disposable and worthless!

There are several step-by-step tutorials in the web to replace the battery in those old fashioned no user replaceable batteries PDCs.
If you are skillful with your hands, you will be able to follow them.
Just a quick google search will give you the results.

 

[StreetDoctor]

The reason they want that much is most likely because they are going to not only change the battery, but to a pressure test to make sure that there are no leaks. When you buy a good quality watch from either a jeweler or a watch specialist, they will tell you that anyone can change the battery but if you want the watch to last after diving with it they will tell you to do a pressure test. I have family in the jewelry business and they are also dealers for Rolex and other fine watches. I have had to find this out the hard way with a watch that luckily wasn't a Rolex, but was damn expensive.

and why exactly would pressure testing cost $200?

 

[Peter_C]

Even if you do not want to do the computer battery the transmitter battery is a piece of cake. A few screws and an o-ring are all there is to it. The battery for the transmitter can be purchased at the local drug store.