Sherwood Equipment... how??!?

[ZoCrowes255]

WVMike once bubbled...

The second stage on MK2 has a min/max valve which can be a pain. If it is in max on the surface it will freeflow if you purge it or when you first enter water. If you forget to set it to max before you descend then it is hard to breath. You are quickly reaching for it. I have also had mine slip back towards min while under water and had to fool with it.

That valve is known as a venturi assist valve (Scubapro calls it VIVA.) It's actually a very nice feature once you know how to use it properly. If the regulator freeflows at the surface while the valve is set to max then the regulator is properly tuned. This is a good thing LOL

What it does is as the pressure drops in the second stage on an inhalation the force of that inhalation gives the diaphragm within the second stage a little extra "push." If it's tuned properly then the reg will slightly freeflow when the valve is open. Closing the valve prevents this. It's like a dive/pre-dive switch that you see on the old D series regs.

 

[shrwdtech]

resqdivers once bubbled...
I dive a Blizzard (Sameas the Oasis, just different faceplates)from Sherwood, along with an AGA mask, it is the best breathing reg I have ever dove. It has to be set up correctly though. Something you will not get buying online. This is done somewhat on purpose I believe, so the bottom feeders at leisure pro don't get all the biz. I haven't dove the Avid so I couldn't tell you about that, I dive the Genesis ReCon and really do like it alot...I know it isn't the BPW of HOG lore, but, I don't give a crap what they dive, I use what is best for my conditions, (rescue-recovery).

It has to be set up properly? What do you mean? I've sold many, many Sherwood Regs over the years and have never had to 'set up' anything more than any other regulator. Position the octo, gauges, and lpi hose where it belongs, test the reg, and send the happy customer diving.

On another note, as a tech, I LOVE to see these come through the door for service. As long as they are cared for correctly, I can service these in about 1/2 the time I do other manufacturers regs, and there are so many less parts to change! A tech's dream!

 

[shrwdtech]

ZoCrowes255 once bubbled...


The difference between two new products. You could have two Maximus regs straight out of the box and the difference in between them (even after being properly setup) is like night and day. One guy I know has a Maximus that is probably one of the best breathing regs I have ever used. My Maximus (backup) is a complete POS. It's collecting dust along with a Mares I took on a trade-in.

If you are looking to save a bit of cash I would look into investing in the Mk16 as opposed to the Mk25. The Mk 16 is balanced diaphragm first stage. On an unbalanced first as the tank pressure drops and ambient pressure increases it becomes harder to breathe. On a balanced first stage you don't have to worry about that. A diaphragm first stage is completely sealed by a diaphragm which compensates for ambient pressure. A piston first stage allows water into the pressure chamber to compensate for ambient pressure. The piston first stages have different flowrates HOWEVER you would be hard pressed to tell the difference.

I dive a MK25/S600 and I am very very pleased with it. I had one grow legs and walk out of the storage room where I work so I immediatly bought another one.

If you are interested in a balanced secondstage as well and are not looking to bust your pocketbook I highly recomend the MK16/S550. It's the same guts as the more expensive G250 and S600 second stages at a fraction of the price. It only lacks the second stage adjustment.

In 23 years of working dive shops(doesn't make me an expert), I've found your comments to be true of every single manufacturer on the market, bar none. I've not, as a rule, ever noticed any manufacturer's regs that "you could have two regs straight out of the box and the difference in between them (even after being properly setup) is like night and day. But, I've found from time to time every single manufacturer's regs to be a bit out of tune or to need a little tweeking. Not just one.

 

[Elvis Maximus]

I bought an Avid BC last year and am quite happy with it. There are two downsides: it is tough to put weight into the BC with the rig on, so you have to gear up with the weight already in the BC, which will not make your buddy very happy. Also, if you are diving in cold salt water, you will likely need an additional weight belt as the BC will not fit enough weight on its own.

I recommend the Akona accessory kit, with retractors, a knife and retractor-mounted light, which is quite affordable and fits the BC perfectly.

 

[ZoCrowes255]

shrwdtech once bubbled...



In 23 years of working dive shops(doesn't make me an expert), I've found your comments to be true of every single manufacturer on the market, bar none. I've not, as a rule, ever noticed any manufacturer's regs that "you could have two regs straight out of the box and the difference in between them (even after being properly setup) is like night and day. But, I've found from time to time every single manufacturer's regs to be a bit out of tune or to need a little tweeking. Not just one.

Quality control problems is as common as it is in the scuba industry as it is among any speciality industry however Sherwood seems to have a bigger problem with quality consistency than most.

We are a Sherwood dealer (a big one too) and much of the equipment we have in rental is Sherwood so I see some of it's shortcomings. It's not a lot but it is enough for me to take notice.

I have seen a difference in night and day. I was working with a Maximus today and it breathed pretty good. However if I was to set it side by side with one of our instructor's it would be a HUGE difference. His is a rare one that breathes GREAT.

This is no knock on Sherwood. They make an excellent BC in the AVID and the Wisdom computer is probably one of the best in the industry (in terms of AI) at the moment.

 

[shrwdtech]

Didn't take it as a knock on Sherwood at all. Just a good discussion with different views based on different experiences.

We are simply proving that 2 people within the scuba industry can indeed disagree a bit without it turning into a blown out, major league flaming contest. *LOL*

From my experiences, I've not seen any difference with Sherwood's quality control issues than I have with anybody else. While not an expert on everybody, admittadly, I have had the occasion to either work for or own a shop that was a dealer of many manufacturers.

My current job makes me a bit biased on the subject, but in the long run, I've not seen any more abnormalities in the Sherwood line than in any other line I'd dealt with.

I can tell you that in my day to day workings, I don't get but 1 call in a month's time that has anything to do with problems with a Sherwood Reg that is still under warranty. And of the ones I do get, 90% of those are fixed by correcting something the repair technician has done backwards.

have a great day!

 

[shrwdtech]

Didn't take it as a knock on Sherwood at all. Just a good discussion with different views based on different experiences.

We are simply proving that 2 people within the scuba industry can indeed disagree a bit without it turning into a blown out, major lead flaming contest. *LOL*

From my experiences, I've not seen any difference with Sherwood's quality control issues than I have with anybody else. While not an expert on everybody, admittadly, I have had the occasion to either work for or own a shop that was a dealer of many manufacturers.

My current job makes me a bit biased on the subject, but in the long run, I've not seen any more abnormalities in the Sherwood line than in any other line I'd dealt with.

I can tell you that in my day to day workings, I don't get but 1 call in a month's time that has anything to do with problems with a Sherwood Reg that is still under warranty. And of the ones I do get, 90% of those are fixed by correcting something the repair technician has done backwards.

have a great day!

 

[WVMike]

ZoCrowes255 once bubbled...


That valve is known as a venturi assist valve (Scubapro calls it VIVA.) It's actually a very nice feature once you know how to use it properly.

The best I can figure is you leave it on min at the surface and switch it to max when ready to descend. Is there anything else to using it properly?

 

[ZoCrowes255]

WVMike once bubbled...


The best I can figure is you leave it on min at the surface and switch it to max when ready to descend. Is there anything else to using it properly?

I will have to take a closer look at the design of the flap but on a well tuned reg you should not have to open the valve all the way. Usually about halfway or so will do it. I know this is true for Oceanic but I can't think if it is for Scubapro off the top of my head.

 

[ZoCrowes255]

Two people on here who have different points of view not getting in a flame war? THIS MUST BE A FIRST LOL We are the pros we are supposed to be courteous (for the most part at least.)

The Sherwood is a pretty good reg however, for the price, you can get a much better reg. Our shop does a pretty good discount on their products so it's cheaper than most however if I went to a place that charged straight retail on a Maximus and Scubapro MK25/S600 I would go with the less expensive and higher performing Scubapro. I am a little biased towards Scubapro though I will be the first to admit that.

The instructor who signed every single one of my C-Cards up until leadership and taught me almost everything I know swore by Sherwood. She said that if they are good enough for the medical industry they are good enough for her.


To the original poster: Try before you buy something or get a damn good garuntee that you can return it if you dont like it.

shrwdtech once bubbled...
Didn't take it as a knock on Sherwood at all. Just a good discussion with different views based on different experiences.

We are simply proving that 2 people within the scuba industry can indeed disagree a bit without it turning into a blown out, major league flaming contest. *LOL*

From my experiences, I've not seen any difference with Sherwood's quality control issues than I have with anybody else. While not an expert on everybody, admittadly, I have had the occasion to either work for or own a shop that was a dealer of many manufacturers.

My current job makes me a bit biased on the subject, but in the long run, I've not seen any more abnormalities in the Sherwood line than in any other line I'd dealt with.

I can tell you that in my day to day workings, I don't get but 1 call in a month's time that has anything to do with problems with a Sherwood Reg that is still under warranty. And of the ones I do get, 90% of those are fixed by correcting something the repair technician has done backwards.

have a great day!