Seeking unbiased regulator advice, Poseidon or Oceanic

[vlmuke]

Hi, I have been diving off and on for a number a years and now my wife dives so it makes it easier now, I went to get my old regs serviced and they no longer can get the parts for my Dacor regs, so I am faced with getting some new regs, my local dive shop wants to sell me an Oceanic Alpha 9, I guess they are running a promo where I get an Alpha 8 octo, for a decent price, I also have to chance to buy a used Cyclon 300 with a Jetstream octo, I loved the Poseidon regs as it was like sipping air when I was in class long time ago but couldn't afford them, since I have out of the loop for a while was wondering how good as the Alphas compared to the older Poseidons?? I know a lot has changed over the years, so I am seeking unbias opinions or what the best thing to do is.
Thanks

 

[Scared Silly]

I can not offer much but at least with Poseidons can you get local service? Seems some folk have reported problems getting service and the associated cost.

 

[Damselfish]

I'd be careful of trading one regulator you can't get serviced for another. Do you have someone locally that will service Poseidon, do you expect they will stick around, or are you willing to ship the reg someplace when it needs service?

 

[vlmuke]

I am still new to the Detroit area so IDK but I know my old dive shop in Indiana does and I go into town there about once a week for work so if not up here I know they can there.

---------- Post added July 28th, 2013 at 06:43 PM ----------

I'd be careful of trading one regulator you can't get serviced for another. Do you have someone locally that will service Poseidon, do you expect they will stick around, or are you willing to ship the reg someplace when it needs service?

Actually its the whole setup minus the gages and I have those.

 

[whaylonsmithers]

I believe that most Dacor can still be serviced with generic parts. Some are possibly cross-compatible with certain Mares too. Perhaps search for a mail-in regulator service centre and ring them. At least you can be sure they don't have a vested interest in you retiring those old regs.

 

[Peter69_56]

I have Alpha 8, Gt 3 and Delta 4 Oceanic regs, and although I like all of them, I would suggest the Alpha 8 is a base model reg. If its all you can afford then its fine, but the GT3 or Delta 4 are much better and operator adjustable. I have had no issues with service or price as long as you shop around. I have had some want to charge $90 + parts ($35 or so) for a secondary reg only, and others who charge about $165 for primary reg, secondary and occy. Shop about and you can get reasonable servicing prices.

I don't know a lot about other brands but I am happy with my Oceanic regs.

 

[beanojones]

Worth noting that ScubaToys does a great job of fixing regs fast and getting them back to you, and they are a Posiedon dealer so service is as close as a mailbox.

Scuba Regulator Repair - Scuba Annual Service

Of course, LDS is best but I have heard good things from people who have used ScubaToys for reg service.

Double-checking is best of course.

 

[vlmuke]

Great Thanks everyone for the advice I appreciate your input!!!!

 

[flots am]

so I am faced with getting some new regs, my local dive shop wants to sell me an Oceanic Alpha 9, I guess they are running a promo where I get an Alpha 8 octo, for a decent price, I also have to chance to buy a used Cyclon 300 with a Jetstream octo, I loved the Poseidon regs as it was like sipping air when I was in class long time ago but couldn't afford them, since I have out of the loop for a while was wondering how good as the Alphas compared to the older Poseidons?? I know a lot has changed over the years, so I am seeking unbias opinions or what the best thing to do is.

Really not much has changed in regulators, aside from being made with a lot more plastic.

The biggest thing I'd recommend is getting a brand that you can get serviced locally by a really good service facility. Check the shops in your area and see who has a workbench that looks like they're servicing laboratory equipment and who has one that looks like a 4 year old got a tool-set for Christmas. You want the first one.

If you would rather keep your money, you can then buy the most popular brand at the best service facility in your area, used on eBay, and then have it serviced.

For example, the shop near me does great service on SCUBAPro, Atomic and Oceanic. If I were looking for a reg, I'd have absolutely no issue buying a used Atomic M1 (currently on eBay for $350 including an SS1 combination inflator and a computer), then take the rest of the money and go diving.

flots.

 

[vlmuke]

@flots am, I beginning to realize that people use what the local dive shops sell and push, I understand that that diving has a limited market and they do their best to upsell stuff, which I understand from their point of view sales means money and keeps them in business, however I am not made of it, I am with you I would buy used on ebay and get it serviced and that's what I ended up doing as I know Poseidon's history and quality, I have yet to be able to buy new everything except for my mask and fins has been used, I guess which frustrates me is the dive shops push their products rather than honesty, I guess that why I was never a good salesman.