What's more important: brand or dealer?

[lerxt]

I'm shopping for a regulator, and I've narrowed my options down to the Scubapro Mk25/S600 and the Aqualung Legend LX. I'm leaning toward the Scubapro, but here's my dilemma: the Scubapro is sold by three local dealers, none of whom I know, and with relatively short histories. The Aqualung is sold by the local shop where I got certified, a shop that has been around for almost 40 years and has gained my complete trust.

I'm curious about what others think - would you buy your first choice reg from a shop you don't know, or your second choice reg from a store you know and trust?

 

[uberspeed]

I'd go with the AquaLung and call it a day. It's a wash in terms of the reg pretty much, both are from reputable companies with great warranties, but you have a relationship with a shop, nurture that.

 

[BIGSAGE136]

You said trust. No brainer.

 

[Doc Intrepid]

I'd go with the AquaLung and call it a day. It's a wash in terms of the reg pretty much, both are from reputable companies with great warranties, but you have a relationship with a shop, nurture that.

Either regulator should work just fine for you at this stage of the game. But a mutually worthwhile relationship with a shop is more difficult to find. It will pay dividends when you take it in for service and he offers you a loaner, or gets the service done in two days instead of 5 or 6 (if you need it expedited). You're essentially exchanging loyalty for customer service and satisfaction - quid pro quo.

 

[Poseidon8118]

I can't think of any two top of the line regulators that perform better than those...I would have to go with the 40 year old shop. I have a couple of G250's one with a MK20 the other a MK10. I have also used the Legend LX and I will tell you this is my next reg.

 

[H2Andy]

i've paid more (ok... not much more) and gone out of my way to support an
excellent LDS nearby

i would go with the relationship with the shop under the facts as you give them

 

[rescuediver009]

Although it may be difficult to see at this stage, sticking with someone who takes care of you will pay off greatly in the future.

 

[ssra30]

Ditto to the shop. In this kind of business, it is always nice to have a good relationship with a local store. I also happen to own both Aqualung Legend and Scubapro Mk25/S600 and personally I actually like the Aqualung better so in this case, my answer is very easy.

 

[Greg Barlow]

I've said it many times in the past....Buy a high quality product that you can get serviced from a top notch shop. When you buy a high performance reg from one of the world's leading manufactureres, it is pretty tough to go wrong.

Greg

 

[Hank49]

Buy the reg you can get parts for in the area where you plan to live and dive. I bought ScubaPro when I lived in Malaysia and could get rebuild parts there and in the Philippines no problem. Here in Belize I walk into a shop to get HP seats or just a cleaning (because I don't have the magical ScubaPro tool) etc and they look at me like I'm from the moon. Sherwood is big here. Lucky for me I met Scubkevdm of the famous "FL Conch Divers" here on SB.