Why dont people use OMS regulators?

[CAPTAIN SINBAD]

Just wondering where they are made and what is their reputation? I see a lot of Dive Rites, Hogs and now Deep 6 regulators that are in the same price range and appeal to the tech diving community but never came across anyone breathing an OMS. Is it because they do not let you service your own regulator? Is it lack of authorized service centers?

Thanks -

CS

 

[rhwestfall]

from my memory, they have had so much of a roller coaster existence of a company, I believe folks have shied away.

 

[The Chairman]

from my memory, they have had so much of a roller coaster existence of a company, I believe folks have shied away.

Rly? They've been bought once, but then so has Apex, Zeagle, Atomic and more. I don't think their marketing has been particularly savvy, but that's about it.

 

[tbone1004]

basically what Bob said. Nothing wrong with them and you will see them in some isolated areas. If you go to Lake Jocassee it's not uncommon to see them because the dive/tech dive shop on Lake Jocassee is a huge OMS dealer. Old OMS had historically bad customer service though especially towards the end, and when combined with no available parts anymore you just don't see them. New OMS just doesn't really have any appealing regulators for me because they are priced comparable to Dive Rite and have no real features that make me want one...

 

[rhwestfall]

Rly? They've been bought once, but then so has Apex, Zeagle, Atomic and more. I don't think their marketing has been particularly savvy, but that's about it.

Pete, it is just my feeling over 25 years. OMS never seemed to be stable. Maybe it is really good stuff, IDK. Maybe with better marketing it would have gone different over the years. Seemed the dealer network was always some "hell hole" of a shop.

My understanding is that it is/was good gear.

 

[The Chairman]

OMS never seemed to be stable.

We have a different definition of stable. I've heard of issues with getting parts before they were sold, but many of those issues were due to the dive shop just not ordering the part because of min purchase agreements and blaming OMS. Since it was bought out by DUI and is being run by Pete Nawrocky, it has been the epitome of stability with new products and great customer service. Why judge them by the old owners?

I got certified using an OMS IQ system and it was pretty revolutionary at the time. I can't say I've ever used one of their regulators, but again, I see that more as a marketing issue rather than reliability. I never had one to try. The North East and wreck diving was OMS' forte in the beginning. They made their reputation for being able to withstand abuse in the Atlantic. The only Scuba manufacturers that haven't been sold or merged, as far as I know, is Aqualung and Mares. Hog lost it's creator, @cerich a few years ago when he left and now he's created Deep 6. The industry has always been in a state of flux. We're a niche industry, so it's expected.

 

[Umuntu]

The only Scuba manufacturers that haven't been sold or merged, as far as I know, is Aqualung and Mares.

Aqualung recently bought by Montague Capital. Including Apeks as part Aqualung.

Mares now owned by Head.

 

[Vicko]

I have their bungeed wing, people look at me funny when i show up but it's really sturdy if nothing else, I guess they build their regs with the same philosophy.

 

[The Chairman]

Aqualung recently bought by Montague Capital. Including Apeks as part Aqualung.

Mares now owned by Head.

Like I said... what's stable?

 

[mdb]

Like I said... what's stable?

Sherwood.