Anyone know why DGX has dropped the HOG line?

[Wookie]

Wookie wins AGAIN!
GDit Frank......
How much victory do you need?

Chug
Also calls him Mark.
And calls Joyce, Joyce.
And Charles, Chaz.
And Mike.....
OK....
Nevermind.
I am now just showing off now.
(sorry)

Sometimes I have the right info, or close enough. Sometimes I think you shouldn't overfill LP cylinders, or dive with split fins. I stay out of cylinder and fin debates.

 

[cerich]

and regarding prices, we haven't changed our prices in over a year with the exception of the D1 Cold with a HOG second stage, we lowered that.

the D3 is more expensive than the D1 because it is a design that we did, not modified a OEM product. It also is smaller, lighter, higher performance, and the swivel actually moves 360 degrees when a hose its attached compared to the D1.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Yes, they do have a very enthusiastic customer base here.

They are very good regs, and were offered at great prices. Many divers snatched them up, and are very happy with them.
I will add that HOG isn't the only company that makes parts kits available. Dive Rite has been doing that way before HOG was even a brand. I have enough Dive Rite parts kits for 1st and 2nd stages to last me a long time. Dive Rite even makes PDF available for those that want to service their own.

HOG came out with very low priced regs, and got a lot of customers because of it. They then started filling out their product line with all of the other gear. The now closely resemble Dive Rite, in my opinion.

Over time, they seem to me, to closely mirrored Dive Rite's entire product line.

My previous comments were mainly about HOG positioning themselves a a discount brand. Which they are in my mind. They are very much a "Discount Brand". I have friends that have HOG gear and love it. They chose HOG based on price only. They needed gear, and were on a limited budget.

HOG should be cheaper. They emerged on the market as a "cheaper" brand. That was they sales angle they used for their products. If most everything in your catalog is made in China, then customers are going to expect lower prices.
Which is HOG's niche.

If something is made in the US, then I expect to pay a bit more for it. Which I do.

Some companies, like Dive Rite, have some of their gear outsourced, and other items made in the US. That's just the reality of doing business in a global market.

For me....when I see China manufactured products that have their prices raised to match that of US manufactured items, then I fail to see any advantage in buying the China made product. I'm not bashing China made products either....I just won't pay top dollar for them; I expect them to be made to a price point.

If I am buying a made in China item, then I reasonably expect to get it for a cheaper price. If they raise prices....then I take them off of my short list. It's the same with the Name brand stuff (most regs are outsourced)...I don't pay retail for them either.

That's what branding is all about. Some brands are worth more, and positioned higher than other brands. It's just the way it is.

Which is why, for example, REI branded outdoor clothing is established as a cheaper "house brand" than brands like Patagonia.

Or Hyundai is lower than BMW.
You get the idea.

Diving brands are no different.

There's also the fact that if overseas manufactured items were actually priced at what they are in them they would be so cheap that people would think there has to be something wrong with this picture, nothing could be that cheap and still be any good.
For companies doing business in china, having stuff made are at a distinct advantage with markup. They can be slightly lower than US manufactured goods and look like a bargain brand and make a darn good profit, whereas the US company has to do everything they can to shave costs to compete including shaving profits down to the bone and they will still be higher.
That's what happens when companies who manufacture in the US have to pay a decent wage, benefits in many cases, and many other fees, and are tightly regulated for emissions, pollutants, etc.
China pays their workers crap wages and treats them like crap too. They are allowed to pollute all they want with all the chroming and plating proceedures, etc. with no EPA or government oversight whatsoever.

 

[redacted]

There's also the fact that if overseas manufactured items were actually priced at what they are in them they would be so cheap that people would think there has to be something wrong with this picture, nothing could be that cheap and still be any good.
For companies doing business in china, having stuff made are at a distinct advantage with markup. They can be slightly lower than US manufactured goods and look like a bargain brand and make a darn good profit, whereas the US company has to do everything they can to shave costs to compete including shaving profits down to the bone and they will still be higher.
That's what happens when companies who manufacture in the US have to pay a decent wage, benefits in many cases, and many other fees, and are tightly regulated for emissions, pollutants, etc.
China pays their workers crap wages and treats them like crap too. They are allowed to pollute all they want with all the chroming and plating proceedures, etc. with no EPA or government oversight whatsoever.

I remember when similar things were said about "Made in Japan" and Toyota and then "Made in Korea" and "Made in Mexico" their products. Of course, there was also the Yugo.

 

[robertarak]

and regarding prices, we haven't changed our prices in over a year with the exception of the D1 Cold with a HOG second stage, we lowered that.

the D3 is more expensive than the D1 because it is a design that we did, not modified a OEM product. It also is smaller, lighter, higher performance, and the swivel actually moves 360 degrees when a hose its attached compared to the D1.

Nothing to add. I just wanted to repost that

 

[Wookie]

I remember when similar things were said about "Made in Japan" and Toyota and then "Made in Korea" and "Made in Mexico" their products. Of course, there was also the Yugo.

And then we signed NAFTA. Go figure.

 

[redacted]

And then we signed NAFTA. Go figure.

Well, if probably would have been hard to wave the banners of free markets and capitalism and explain why that only applies within our borders.

 

[DevonDiver]

From what little I've seen (4 students have shown up with brand new Hog regs for my classes), it might have something to do with a high volume of returns and warranty issues (4 students had failures and defects with their Hog regs on my classes). Just speculating...

 

[cerich]

Interesting I have never heard of those issues...

I am curious, what issues?

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I've seen a couple of my buddies regs that needed lever height adjustments, or the IP needed adjustment.
Both very minor things, and easily corrected by me.

These were purchased almost 2 years ago; so I would imagine your dealers are now doing a better job of setting things up before shipping.

In fact, I know DRIS does now.

As I said...VERY minor issues, and not the sort of thing you wold hear about. It's not like they were going to call the owner of the company and complain about a simple lever height adjustment.

I would imagine a customer that didn't have the tools or knowledge to make these corrections, would be a bit worried about it.

I am sure this is common with other brands as well, it's more of a dealer set up issue.

BTW....I have to say....I really do like the chrome finish on your 1st stages. I have a bunch of Dive Regs, and some of my buddies bought HOGs......I DO like that chrome finish!!