irishsquid
Contributor
Disregard the previous. Heck, I just looked at the photo of the doubles package. Regs (1st & 2nd)x 2, SPG, hoses, bolt snap, ...I'd jump on that. Wish I had that deal available back when.
Too good of deal to pass up on HOG reg's?
- Thread starter ColdH2O
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
My thought - if he's not going to use it for argon or a pony - would be to alternate between the two first stages so they both get equal use
Yes, but... 2x second stages @ $99 plus 1x first stage @ $169 is already $367 - and you still have to buy an SPG ($60?) and 4 hoses. That's going to be more than $450 (the doubles kit includes all hoses and an SPG)
EDIT: Written while you were posting the above
OP
ColdH2O
Contributor
That thought crossed my mind also, I think I will go with the HOG deal.
Do you guys not use an alternate 2nd when using a pony?
No, just a single
I would take the deal. There's good advice about not getting more gear than what you need as a new OW diver, but then, a deal is a deal. There may be some initial pains in having to send the HOG to a remote location for service, but it certainly won't cost more than servicing a used APEKS that doesn't have a free parts warranty.
When I bought my two regs after OW, the 2nd was used for my wife for year, than becamse a spare. But I often found uses for it (loaning it to friends when in town, buds that forgot theirs, or sometimes let them use when with my tanks since I use DIN regs/tanks, they always Yoke). Perhaps I would send one off for service I'd use the other so I was never without a reg. Later used for doubles but the HOGS with 5th port route much better.
I later bought the APEKS XTX50/DST's for my dubs in the United States, Aqualung does not provide the 5th port adapter, and every tech I've talked to will not service a DST with 5th port since it's not standard issue (in the US, tho it is everywhere else). The HOGS are nearly identicle to the XTX50/DST's and have the 5th port. A service tech I know personally would service it, but not officially.
In the end, I have 8 1st and 2nd stage regulatars that I've almost completely switched over to HOG's (barring only two APEKS for shop uniform when I DM for them). This year I'll be able to service my own HOG's so it'll make it easy for me to deal with, easier than providing paperwork for every annual service on 6 other sets of regs just to save $35 per stage (which adds up on top of the $40-50 per stage service fees they charge).
HOG's are legitimate gear. They deal you are offered is excellent. I'd take it -- just remember, you can always find another use for the extra 2st stage later (or sell it).
When I bought my two regs after OW, the 2nd was used for my wife for year, than becamse a spare. But I often found uses for it (loaning it to friends when in town, buds that forgot theirs, or sometimes let them use when with my tanks since I use DIN regs/tanks, they always Yoke). Perhaps I would send one off for service I'd use the other so I was never without a reg. Later used for doubles but the HOGS with 5th port route much better.
I later bought the APEKS XTX50/DST's for my dubs in the United States, Aqualung does not provide the 5th port adapter, and every tech I've talked to will not service a DST with 5th port since it's not standard issue (in the US, tho it is everywhere else). The HOGS are nearly identicle to the XTX50/DST's and have the 5th port. A service tech I know personally would service it, but not officially.
In the end, I have 8 1st and 2nd stage regulatars that I've almost completely switched over to HOG's (barring only two APEKS for shop uniform when I DM for them). This year I'll be able to service my own HOG's so it'll make it easy for me to deal with, easier than providing paperwork for every annual service on 6 other sets of regs just to save $35 per stage (which adds up on top of the $40-50 per stage service fees they charge).
HOG's are legitimate gear. They deal you are offered is excellent. I'd take it -- just remember, you can always find another use for the extra 2st stage later (or sell it).
Blue Sparkle
Contributor
Bubbletrubble
Contributor
@Blue Sparkle: No, HOG/Edge doesn't have a free-overhaul-parts-for-life policy.
I think what leabre is saying is that there's essentially no difference in terms of servicing (labor + cost of parts) between HOG regs purchased new and Apeks regs purchased as used gear (or purchased new and not maintained in accord with the manufacturer's free-overhaul-parts-for-life policy).
With regard to leabre's Apeks situation...
Apeks stipulates that its regs should be overhauled every other year in order to stay "on warranty" and receive free overhaul kits. On the in-between years, the regs just need to be "inspected." I would think that the in-between-year inspections would be free for a DM working for the dive shop. This means that, essentially, leabre should only be paying labor fees ($70? for 1 first stage + 2 second stages) on each Apeks reg setup every 2 years. I can see that if he wasn't using all of his regs on a regular basis, keeping his Apeks regs "on warranty" would seem kind of wasteful and keeping track of the paperwork wouldn't be much fun. Owning HOG regs, he'll be able to use them as much or as little as he wants and then overhaul them on an as-needed basis. He'll pay for the cost of the parts and provide his own labor for servicing, but in the end he'll probably end up saving a lot of money over maintaining the Apeks regs through the shop.
FWIW, I overhaul my Apeks regs on an as-needed basis. With use of about 50-60 dives per year, I can go 2.5-3 years in-between servicing.
Last edited:
OP
ColdH2O
Contributor
Well thanks for all the good advice. I bought the HOG deal today, ended up getting them even cheaper, $420 shipped, should be here next week.
Looks like you already made your decision but just wanted to throw in my two cents.
I recently purchased a couple HOG D1 Second Stages for use on my Apeks DS4/DSTs for doubles. The build quality on them is top notch. A bit heavier (not a bad thing..) than my Apeks ATX50 but shouldn't be too much of a difference.
I am hoping to dive with them this weekend to see how they perform.
Overall the HOG regulators are a fantastic deal. Prior to buying their regulators I was already a big fan of their wings. I'm going to look like a walking advertisement for HOG this summer.
I recently purchased a couple HOG D1 Second Stages for use on my Apeks DS4/DSTs for doubles. The build quality on them is top notch. A bit heavier (not a bad thing..) than my Apeks ATX50 but shouldn't be too much of a difference.
I am hoping to dive with them this weekend to see how they perform.
Overall the HOG regulators are a fantastic deal. Prior to buying their regulators I was already a big fan of their wings. I'm going to look like a walking advertisement for HOG this summer.
Similar threads
