Vis and Hydro Cost?

[CharleyT]

Well shoot. I've called 2 LDS in the Dallas area, and neither of them do anything about fills (both tanks come with one fill). I'll keep looking around and see if I can find someone that will kick in a few fills. Not sure if my dive partner will want one, but if so, we may be getting 2 of these things, would love to find some free fills.

Charley

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I should point out here that a VIP is a required part of the hydro test and is done by the test facility as part of the hydro and is included in the price.

Most shops farm out their tanks to a hydro test facility and then mark up their cost (which is sometimes a fair markup and sometimes it is not) However sopme shops then slap on one of their shop's VIP stickers and charge you for a VIP in addition to the hydro. This really is a rip off. Ther is probably not a lot you can do about it other than point it out to them. But perhaps if enough customers complain about getting gouged, the shop will stop doing it.

Locally, we charge $15.00 for a hydro which includes the VIP and an air fill (a nitrox fill is $5.00 extra).

 

[montyb]

San Diego Area - Hydro, Vis & fill - $25.00 total.

 

[sharkbaitDAN]

Get to know the guys at your LDS. I know quite a few who will comp fills if you buy gear, and occasional add-ons, gadgets, etc, and are a very regular customer (go in for something every couple of weeks during the season).

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have worked with a couple of shops that would give away 10 to 12 fill air cards with larger purchases like regulators, BC's, tanks, wet suits, etc. It works well for the shop as it guarentees you will be coming back there frequently, and offers you what amounts to a substantial discount on the equipment without costing them much or getting them in trouble with violating dealer agreements.

 

[FrankT]

Most shops around here are at about $35 for hydro, vip, and a fill. They just send them to the local fire safety hydro shop to have them. Going direct to the hydro facility I can get the Hydro for $15 and a vip for $3.

For one tank it might not be worth the extra effort, but I taking 5 tanks in for hydro, so I feel it's worth the trip to the hydro shop.

 

[JDostal]

For me, it's $18 for hydro, and $6-$8 for a viz. I dunno what they cost for sure, we do them ourselves or we get 'em for free....frequent, frequent customer (and divemaster....) discount