HOG isnt the only one. OTS systems will train anyone willing to pay on thier masks/regs, and if you really are motivated, Kirby Morgan will do the same for thier full face masks and helmets.
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Hog's hurdle is any tec certification (but that is only for their class). Get a Nitrox card, you're good.
You have to put the bar somewhere, if this bothers you, go to diverightinscuba.com and order the kits and do it yourself
I estimate that I spent ~$400 on the tools I needed.
That's preposterous. What $400.00 aggregation of tools did you "need" to service what regulators?
I am now servicing my own regs, but I will tell you that unless you have MANY sets of regs to do, after buying the right tools and the service kits, you may be better off financially paying the shop to do the work and getting the parts for life for no charge. I am happy doing my own work, but money had nothing to do with the route I chose. I estimate that I spent ~$400 on the tools I needed, and then paid $35 per first stage and $11 per second for service kits. I'm certainly not trying to discourage you, just something to think about.
IF... You are a certified Tec diver.