Which brand offers low cost service kits?

[slinger101]

Hi guys,
There are huge price differences between service kits. Which manufacturers offer their service kits at low cost? For example my technician charges $23 for a Sherwood service kit and $62 for a Mares service kit.
Please share your experiences.
Cheers!

 

[keyshunter]

Sherwood has the least expensive service kits that I know of. For the older (pre SR1) kits, the last I bought cost $8. That was full retail for a kit which does both stages. I believe they are a bit more expensive now, but nowhere near $23.

I don't know about Mares, but Apeks kits for both stages are about $50. Even at regular uninflated MSRP pricing, service kits are a HUGE profit center for the LDS.

Edit: I see that Northeast Scuba Supply is charging $13.99 for Sherwood service kits.

 

[Zung]

$62 is WAY too much!

According to Afishianado's thread, the Mares kits don't include the HP seat and the diaphragm, so the only way to justify this high cost is your LDS adds these components to the kit. Assuming a cost of goods of about 7-8 bucks including handling for these additions, Mares makes a 100% markup, your LDS another 100%, then it's about OK, from the perspective of the distribution channel.

But from the consumer's perspective, it's BLACKMAIL!

 

[superstar]

By purchasing Trident aftermarket hp and lp seats and buying my own o-rings I can make my own kit for about $5

 

[redacted]

Remember, there is usually a big difference in the contents of the cheaper kits and the more expensive kits. Many of those cheaper kits only contain a couple dollars worth of parts while those expensive ones may have $5 worth of parts.

 

[Jimmer]

Remember, there is usually a big difference in the contents of the cheaper kits and the more expensive kits. Many of those cheaper kits only contain a couple dollars worth of parts while those expensive ones may have $5 worth of parts.

That is the best I've ever seen it described.

 

[Fishpie]

My local shop sells me AquaLung HP seats (with the balance chamber o ring) for $8.
Not complaining since they last a good 2-3 years in all my Conshelfs, SEA's, Titans and MR12's.

 

[keyshunter]

Fishpie,
I recently picked up a nice used new model Titan LX. LOL Like I needed another reg. I have not been able to find a service manual/IPL for the new model first stage. Does this first stage take the same HP seat as the older one? Nice breathing reg, by the way.

 

[fish149]

I bought a Mares Abyss 22 when they came out with the new version about 3-4 years ago. Part of that new reg purchase included vouchers to cover annual service parts for 20 years. I don't know if all their regs come with this or if it was just a limited time offer, all I know is that I'm not paying for the parts when I have my regs serviced, just $15 or so for labor.