sherwood maximus (older)

[hellojello]

Hello scubaboard!
I just bought a set of sherwood maximus regulators and I'd like additional information regarding it. It's the older model by the way, probably from the 90's or so. Here's are pics I leeched off an Ebay auction
http://i12.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/f7/9b/546d_1.JPG
http://i10.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/f7/9b/53c1_1.JPG

Can anyone provide any details regarding performance, reliability, experiences, and the cost to maintain/rebuild the regulator? It'd be a great help. Thanks in advance!

 

[muddiver]

I bought a Sherwood Blizzard around '95, it was a sale in the news paper and the wet suit that came with it was one of those old suits with the diamond pattern on the neoprene. So the Blizzard is probably older than '95 and it works fine. The trick is finding a shop that services or sells Sherwood. Not every shop does and the ones that don't will not service it or rebuild it for you.

 

[herman]

I'm not a huge fan of Sherwood seconds but their first stages are simple and darn near bullet proof. It should be a reasonable preformer and you can always change the second stage at a later date. Service should not be much of a problem, there are a lot of Sherwood dealers and the parts have not changed much in many years. I have on old Brute from the early 80's, still serviceable and works as good as new although the second stage does not breath as good as some of my later (and more expensive) regs. Buying used, you will not get the "free parts" warrenty but there are few parts in the rebuild kits so they are fairly inexpensive and your going to pay labor reguardless of where you bought it. I would suggest you find out what the reg would cost new before buying off Ebay....or used anywhere else for that matter, I will not pay more than 40-50% of new price for an unknown item. Once you get it, have it serviced before diving it, just to make sure it's up to par.

 

[dave4868]

What they said, plus it will go a long time between overhauls, if you want it to. Very easy and inexpensive to service. Very reliable.

Excellent cold water regulator. I use the similar Blizzard and have never had a problem.

Performance will be super for recreational limits.

Dave C

 

[dannobee]

Diving Under Antarctic Ice

 

[hellojello]

thanks for all the input and replies ladies and gentlemen! can anyone offer a possible value for the sherwood maximus regulators?

 

[herman]

Hate to say it but it really depends on a lot of factors. How old the regs is, what does it come with, when was it last serviced and for me a biggie who last owned it. By that I mean if it was owned by a friend I trust, to me it's worth more than if I buy it locally but from someone I don't know (but I can get my hands on first). Ebay is my lowest price due to the gamble I'm taking. For what it's worth I have bought an older Sherwood Magnum first and 1 second stage for $20. If your new to diving, the best option I can suggest is for you to get aquainted with a local diver who is willing to look over regs locally and then hit Craigs List. There are often good deals there. Another option is your LDS, many times they will sell their rental gear. As a CYA they usually service it first before they sell it and you know they can and will service it down the line.

 

[tfsails]

Sherwood kits are pretty cheap, so cost of rebuild shouldn't be too bad. One kit covers the first and second stages. Another covers the octo only. If the pics you attached are of your reg, you're in luck. See those two colored rings on the hose protectors for the primary second and the octo? Those are warranty rings and you can get two years' worth of parts for free if you get it serviced at a Sherwood dealer. The dealer will remove one ring each time he services the reg.

You can't kill a Sherwood. It ain't the most "sophisticated" reg out there, but I'd suggest it's the most bulletproof. Its sophistication is in its simplicity, which is why it's so bulletproof. Get it serviced by a competent dealer and you've got yourself quite a deal. Just make sure that tiny bubbles escape from the black rubber plug on the first stage that looks like a LP port. If you have no bubbles, get it fixed.

 

[hellojello]

Ahh, great news! I'm quite happy with my purchase then. I'm and new diver and I have been scouring craigslist for the last couple of months for cheap scuba gear (poor college student = diver on a budget). I managed to pick up:
-Sherwood Maximus regulators and octopus in immaculate condition (2 service rings left)
-3 pod console, with an Oceanic Datamax Sport Computer, compass, and pressure gauge
-A farmer john style wetsuit, 7mm in excellent condition
-Hoodie, gloves, and booties
-Sherwood Destiny 30 bcd in excellent, functional condition
-2 masks and a snorkel
-Tusa fins
-A dive bag to put everything inside, along with a lobster bag
-various bean bag weights, spare straps, etc
All of this for.... $100. :11: :11: :11:

I wholeheartedly appreciate the help! And don't worry, I'll be sure to get the regulators and bcd checked out and serviced by a certified dealer. Thank you all.

 

[herman]

I hope your ashamed of yourself....you stole it.
It's not the highest preforming gear but solid preformers and should keep you diving for quite a while. Great value.
TF does make a good point, ALL Sherwoods are designed to put out a small stream of bubbles, this is normal. Sherwoods are the only reg I know of that does this and lots of divers think you have an air leak. One oddity you need to know about Sherwoods.