Vintage Scubapro 108 / R190 / MK3 - what to do?

[herman]

Thanks peeps!

I'm going to bring it by the shop where I bought my / my wife's SP regs/BCDs and talk to him about it.

The previous owner is one of those super-neat, very organized, everything-in-it's place type of guys, so I feel confident that it's been maintained over the years. He was also a DM in Bonaire for many years back in the 80's, so I look fwd to taking this gear back to BON and using it as intended.

It's funny, though.... I feel, for safety's sake, that I should give my new gear to my son. Weird perception: older gear isn't as reliable. Right? Ironically, I'm old, but more reliable than I was when young.....

More of a sales line than perception. Fact is, that reg with a 109 and 108 as octo is at least as reliable and arguably more so than any new reg you can buy today. The only parts in that reg that get old or worn are the same ones that get replaced during service. The rest are stainless steel or chromed plated brass, not materials that go bad over time as long as they are reasonably taken care of.

 

[rhwestfall]

The rest are stainless steel or chromed plated brass, not materials that go bad over time as long as they are reasonably taken care of.

sounds like me......

 

[BlackPatch]

I have an Aqualung / US Divers Aqaurius first stage from the early 70's paired to 2 Calypso IV Second stages from 75 and 76. Both are in excellent condition. I replaced the seat in the First stage after ultrasonic cleaning the unit and replaced all the O rings. It works beautifully and I trust it with my life.

Old gear is still here and diveable for a reason, it was made well in the first place.

Hope you keep it as I am currently rebuilding a battered R108 that I bought for $3 at a garage sale.

 

[H2ODoc]

I stopped in my LDS with this gear, and the tech wasn't quite as enthusiastic as I hoped. :confused6:

I'll bring it to a few other shops and see if any of them show some interest in working on it. If not, maybe I'll read up on how tough it is to service it myself.

 

[redacted]

I stopped in my LDS with this gear, and the tech wasn't quite as enthusiastic as I hoped. :confused6:

I'll bring it to a few other shops and see if any of them show some interest in working on it. If not, maybe I'll read up on how tough it is to service it myself.

Did he resist the idea of inspecting or servicing it? What was the problem? All those regs are still supported by currently manufactured service kits (way over-priced but at least they are still available). Unfortunately, some shops seem to like to discourage the use of older gear in the hopes of selling a new setup. Shops the diving community would be better off without.

 

[H2ODoc]

Did he resist the idea of inspecting or servicing it? What was the problem? All those regs are still supported by currently manufactured service kits (way over-priced but at least they are still available). Unfortunately, some shops seem to like to discourage the use of older gear in the hopes of selling a new setup. Shops the diving community would be better off without.

He'd service it, but generally discouraged me from pursuing it due to the cost ($75 for service) plus the cost of all new hoses, etc. His motivation might be to sell new gear, but I don't know. I got the sense he just wasn't into older gear himself, and didn't understand the desire to use something so old!

No worries. I'm in no hurry and will talk to some other LDSs about it.

 

[redacted]

He'd service it, but generally discouraged me from pursuing it due to the cost ($75 for service) plus the cost of all new hoses, etc. His motivation might be to sell new gear, but I don't know. I got the sense he just wasn't into older gear himself, and didn't understand the desire to use something so old!

No worries. I'm in no hurry and will talk to some other LDSs about it.

$75 for service is not unreasonable (not a great price either). Service parts should probably run another $40 or so for a Mk10 kit and 2 each R190 kits. (A shame since the R190/080 kit has under $1 worth of parts.) No need to replace hoses unless something is wrong with them. - leaking or cracking. (Actually, there is a need - so the shop can make more $$$.)

 

[rhwestfall]

so, even if you did buy a whole new reg set, and it was SP, there wouldn't be a free parts for life ( you need to buy a BC, computer, and reg set to get that), so the $25/stage + parts would still hold true on service for a new set, and all you would have done is spent $$$$ do defer it for two years when the "required" service is for the new regs...

Buy some hoses (maybe on-line from the evil internet vendor), service the regs, and enjoy them. They are that worthwhile to continue to use....

the guy is a putz......

 

[herman]

Why new hoses? Unless they show signs of excessive wear there is no reason to replace them...."old" is not a valid reason. The absolute oldest those hoses can be is 1984 assuming they are original.
If that $75 is for labor, remember you will pay exactly the same thing next year for service on a new reg and unless you meet all of the "parts for life" (PFL) stipulations you will pay for parts as well. In that case, the only thing you will avoid is one years service. Unless you are buying all new gear from SP, the PFL does not come into effect anyway so all you are "saving" is one year of service. http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/scubapro/407051-scubapro-parts-life-policy-explained.html

 

[rhwestfall]

Why new hoses? Unless they show signs of excessive wear there is no reason to replace them...."old" is not a valid reason. The absolute oldest those hoses can be is 1984 assuming they are original.

agree