Teetering between the LDS and LP Dacor Regs.

[ElectricZombie]

I would buy the regs from LP without a doubt. (Don't get Dacor. Go with ScubaPro or Apeks)

The warrany you get by buying from a LDS is useless. You still have to pay for labor which is a mimimum of $60.00 around here. Often times, the LDS in which you bought your gear is hardly capable of properly servicing your gear. It is extrememly easy for a LDS to get a certificate saying they are an authorized technican for a particular brand of gear. Most of the time, these shops do a pathetic job servicing gear. A good reg tech is near impossible to find. So, you end up paying more for a reg by buying from the LDS, only to have them screw it up every year and charge you for it. You would be much better off simply buying the regs online and learning to service them yourself. BTW, most regs don't need to be serviced every year if you take care of them. It's cheaper and safer to buy online and service them yourself.

 

[hambleto]

I have been thinking of taking the Equipment Specialist to get to know the gear better actualy. Although I know I am not buying anything from this LDS unless they resolve this issue. The additional student was again in her class and she had a heck of a time getting through the class. I still like the side vent of the decor though. I will look into some other regs of course.

 

[Genesis]

If anyone finds themselves around this area holler at me - I'll be happy to strip a reg or two in front of you - then buy the Harlow book from Airspeed Press.

The big deal is finding a source of kits - O-rings are pretty easy, but getting seats (both HP and LP) is the challenge. If you can get the seats, then doing your own service is easy.

 

[netmage]

I have been thinking of taking the Equipment Specialist to get to know the gear better actualy. Although I know I am not buying anything from this LDS unless they resolve this issue. The additional student was again in her class and she had a heck of a time getting through the class. I still like the side vent of the decor though. I will look into some other regs of course.

The Equip. Spc. class has nothing to do w/ reg. work. I gather its more about equip. care. Save some time/money - buy the book and read over it yourself.

 

[netmage]

If anyone finds themselves around this area holler at me - I'll be happy to strip a reg or two in front of you - then buy the Harlow book from Airspeed Press.

The big deal is finding a source of kits - O-rings are pretty easy, but getting seats (both HP and LP) is the challenge. If you can get the seats, then doing your own service is easy.

You get that aircraft carrier sunk over in your neck of the woods and I'll be there in a jiffy...!

 

[docmartin]

my experiences with lp have been good so far (3 regs, 2 BCs, lots of other stuff over the years). as far as service, turnaround time for reg service tends to be long, ~ 3 weeks, and they did not always call when the regs were done. pricing for reg service is very competitive. however, i am now doing my own servicing and can only reaffirm what's been said above: save the money for the equipment specialist class and buy V. Harlow's book. the only time the class is worth it is if they agreed to tear down your reg in front of you and sell you service parts after taking the class. i have heard of cases where shops agreed to do that but i think it's a looooong shot.

 

[diverlady]

I'd ask the LDS owner if he plans on adding another instructor to your wife's class or if the new arrival was only for that one class. I know you said the other student would be there for the duration but it would let the LDS know that you're concerned about it and are expecting some action on the subject. If you've paid for private lessons, then that's what you should get so another instructor is in order for the other student. It sounds like your wife would be more secure if she was back to the one-on-one class and that's the ultimate goal isn't it? To get her certified. If another student being present is enough to put her on the brink of quitting, then IMO you need to speak to the LDS about it pronto so her next class is more comfortable for HER.

Diverlady

 

[5615mike]

I hate to admit this but...............I agree with Genesis on the private class. They broke their contract with you and they owe you either a private lesson or a return of your funds.

Personally, I would not buy the Dacor rigs when there is an over abundance of higher quality gear for the same or less money. AL Legend or LX series gear is as good as what is on the market in my opinion. Apex and SP are also fine equipment but they are too proud of their products IMO. You are the one who has to be comfortable with the purchase so you must make the final decison. Many of us have purchased from LP, saved a tone of money and have high quality gear. to show for it.

 

[Genesis]

I'm not a big fan of Dacor's gear.... including regs.

I have friends who have gotten hosed when Dacor/Mares stopped making parts for what they had, and suddenly they have a couple of paperweights.

While you can replace O-rings without the service kits, you need the manufacturer for the SEATS. You can sometimes figure out a way to adapt something for the LP side on the second stage, but the HP seat in the first is a part that, if you can't find it, turns your first stage into an expensive piece of junk.

 

[hambleto]

I will look into some other regs. Although I still think formy octo I will use the dacor viper octo (the misses likes it and she felt comfortable using it). As far as the LDS goes, I called them yesterday and they just said.. well, we will tell the owner and I did not hear anything back. I sent an e-mail this morning to the owner to see what he has to say.