Well, as I am sure many of you had a chuckle when you asw my LDS quote for a few select pieces of gear that I posted the other day. My questions is, I can find the same gear over the internet for hundrends of dollars less. So I figured that I would buy it from the internet and pocket the difference. My only concern is the regulator. Now, I know that if I want an Atomic I will have to pony up the money, but shouldn't I buy atleast my reg from my LDS (not necessarily Atomic) since that really is my life support and I would want to have the total benenfits of warranty and a place to have it serviced, etc...
Thanks
Fish_Whisperer
March 2nd, 2006, 04:21 PM
Is your LDS able to service Atomic (or whatever) regs you are considering? If the reg is your concern, why not have your LDS order it for you? Especially if they are qualified and willing to service your reg for you.
robbanks78
March 2nd, 2006, 04:34 PM
Fish,
I made another post about some equipment i was going to purchase and it came to an astronomical price (albeit it did have the Atomic T2)
The other equipment I can get over the internet much cheaper.
For example, I wanted the Ranger Ltd. my LDS has it for $739 - 15% = 628.15
I can only get the 15% off if I buy the BC and Reg together so. The Atomic came to $1745 before discount or with = 1483.25
I can get the Ranger Ltd. for 524.95 at LeisurePro etc, of course I no longer have a warranty, but I do not expect there to be too many problems with my BC since my LDS is a dealer in both Zeagle and Atomic so I can get it serviced there anyway.
Now, I guess it really boils down to how set am I on the T2. While I know it is an excellent regulator I am starting to feel the impending doom of the price tag. I guess, theoretically I would never have to buy another reg again, or could I just get a B2 instead?
I think I am getting further and further down the rabbit hole :(
Rob
Fish_Whisperer
March 2nd, 2006, 04:41 PM
I don't know enough about equipment or servicing to really offer any advice... I've been using a fairly cheap Sea Elite reg since I started diving, (A whole whopping year, now), and it has served me well. What if you started out with a cheap but dependable reg, and saved up for "Excalibur," as your diving, experience, and bank account advance a little?
Cacia
March 2nd, 2006, 04:44 PM
Check maintenance cost too. I like Scubapro, because the kit for overhaul is less. And available all over the world.
Brandon
March 2nd, 2006, 04:51 PM
Fish,
I made another post about some equipment i was going to purchase and it came to an astronomical price (albeit it did have the Atomic T2)
The other equipment I can get over the internet much cheaper.
For example, I wanted the Ranger Ltd. my LDS has it for $739 - 15% = 628.15
I can only get the 15% off if I buy the BC and Reg together so. The Atomic came to $1745 before discount or with = 1483.25
I can get the Ranger Ltd. for 524.95 at LeisurePro etc, of course I no longer have a warranty, but I do not expect there to be too many problems with my BC since my LDS is a dealer in both Zeagle and Atomic so I can get it serviced there anyway.
Now, I guess it really boils down to how set am I on the T2. While I know it is an excellent regulator I am starting to feel the impending doom of the price tag. I guess, theoretically I would never have to buy another reg again, or could I just get a B2 instead?
I think I am getting further and further down the rabbit hole :(
Rob
For the price on the Atomic reg you could buy 4 Zeagle Flathed VI regulators.
It's not like you're going to notice a performance difference between the two...
Sure, having a regulator that is a 3/4 of a pound lighter is plenty schpiffy and all... and the 2 year service interval is swell, but you're going to pay $1k extra for those "features".
I don't know what service on an Atomic costs, but Larry at Scubatoys will take care of your Zeagle for $40. Assuming the service costs are the same, it'll take 50 years before you break even on the service cost.
Both will last a lifetime.
-Brandon.
ronbeau
March 2nd, 2006, 06:31 PM
Fish,
I made another post about some equipment i was going to purchase and it came to an astronomical price (albeit it did have the Atomic T2)
The other equipment I can get over the INTERNET much cheaper.
For example, I wanted the Ranger Ltd. my LDS has it for $739 - 15% = 628.15
I can only get the 15% off if I buy the BC and Reg together so. The Atomic came to $1745 before discount or with = 1483.25
I can get the Ranger Ltd. for 524.95 at LeisurePro etc, of course I no longer have a warranty, but I do not expect there to be too many problems with my BC since my LDS is a dealer in both Zeagle and Atomic so I can get it serviced there anyway.
Now, I guess it really boils down to how set am I on the T2. While I know it is an excellent regulator I am starting to feel the impending doom of the price tag. I guess, theoretically I would never have to buy another reg again, or could I just get a B2 instead?
I think I am getting further and further down the rabbit hole :(
Rob
If you are going to be diving with both air and NITROX you might want to consider the B2 instead of the T2.
Atomic states that you have to make the determination at time of purchase whether you want to use it for air or NITROX and use it only for that purpose.
I was facing the same decision as you and went with the B2.
I looked at it this way. The second stage on the B2 and T2 are identical (other than the gray face plate versus blue or yellow). The only difference is the first stage.
The first stage on the T2 is about 8 ounces lighter than the first stage on the B2. I certainly am not going to notice the difference of 8 ounces when I have it in my gear bag and will never notice the difference of 8 ounces under water.
Given those choices the decision was a simple one. I saved approximately $700 and got an excellent regulator that I can use for both air and NITROX.
The only other difference is that the swivel on the hose to the first stage is titanium on the T2.
I bought it at the LDS. They have treated me very well over the last few years. As a result I bought all of my life support equipment for both me and my daughter at the LDS.
robbanks78
March 2nd, 2006, 06:56 PM
OK this is the setup I am going to go with:
Zeagle Ranger
Atomic Z2 with Z1 octo
any analog spg & depth
I am estimating that it will run about $1200 with tax and all.
Does that seem like a fair price?
Rob
SangP
March 6th, 2006, 02:55 AM
Hi robbanks78,
For $1200 you can get a heck of a lot of really good gear... I really mean good!!!
You might not want to do DIR but this thread is a really good start since it recommends gear by guys who have bought, sold and finally decided on what they should have gotten in the first place to save $$$$$$.
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=132121
Both catherine96821 and Da Aquamaster recommend Scubapro and I would say get a MK17/555/250 octo or MK17/S600/250 octo
I've seen a MK17 / R390 on ebay for $300 and I'm sure Larry will help you.
or
Apeks DS4 first stage/ATX50/TX50 octo
Great if you are doing tech or DIR $500
or get a really crap daco reg and trade it in with larry at scubatoys:http://www.scubatoys.com/store/regupgrade/index.asp
For a bc, you cab't do wrong with a DSS singles rig... or a Oxycheq singles rig for $460 or so.
Even with a set of gauges, you will save at least $100.
SangP
StSomewhere
March 6th, 2006, 03:12 AM
I can get the Ranger Ltd. for 524.95 at LeisurePro etc, of course I no longer have a warranty, but I do not expect there to be too many problems with my BC since my LDS is a dealer in both Zeagle and Atomic so I can get it serviced there anyway.I hate to keep sounding like a Scubatoys ad, but if you call Larry he will almost certainly match that LP price, or even recommend something better (from a value perspective). And since he is an authorized Zeagle dealer, you get the manf. lifetime warranty.
LP has low prices, but they aren't exactly the type of people you'd want to get gear recommendations from (i.e. they aren't actually divers).
JustinW
March 6th, 2006, 03:46 AM
I'm gonna chime in for a third vote to go more scubapro.
Larry can match that Zeagle price, or for even less money you can get a comparable Knighthawk, or a BPW for that matter. Scubapro regs are bombproof and deliver air flawlessly. Don't go with the silly titanium or other hyped up, go with a G250 or an S600 second stage mated with an MK25 first stage. Scubatoys carries Scubapro, or your local dealer is listed below, just in case you weren't familiar with that shop.
I bought some gear from Larry at Scubatoys and couldn't be happier. I originally bought a G250HP/MK25 combo from leisure pro, after talking to Larry, I cancelled my order before it shipped and Larry matched the price, charged less for shipping and I have a full ScubaPro warranty. LP says you have a warranty but it is a LP warranty. you have to send your reg in for service at their shop which they said takes between 2 and 3 weeks, and you need to do that every year.
I bought a zeagle brigade from Larry and it's amazing. Every dive shop I take it into is blown away by it. It's exactly the same as the ranger except for the smaller bladder. The ranger bladder is meant for dual tank dives. Which I will never do, if for some reason decide to do that, I can change it out with the brigade one(i think it comes from the stiletto.) Larry sold me the Brigade for $400 with the rear weight pockets, which I highly recommend.
I also bought an oceanic VT pro wireless computer from scubatoys, Larry gave me an amazing price on that too. Like I said before I'm extatic over scubatoys!
Skinsfan1311
March 8th, 2006, 01:19 PM
I was a believer in utilizing your LDS, until a couple of days ago. I was in the market, for an Aqualung Legend LX reg. I live near Baltimore, and there aren't very many LDS's anyway,(just 3 within 45 minutes driving distance).
The regs are on sale, here, http://www.divesports.com/ You had to call for prices, as Aqualung won't honor warranties for on-line purchases. I called 'em up, and got the price. I also got the price for annually servicing the regs. I spoke to Phil, (hell of a nice guy), who gave me the prices and explained what they do. Basically...it's ~$60.00 to service 'em and, with Aqualungs ltd lifetime warranty, they supply the parts kit for free, as long as you purchased from an authorized dealer, and service the regs annually. Sounds good to me.
So, because so many posters talk about how important it is to support the LDS, I called the LDS, which shall remain nameless. I figured, hey, no harm in supporting the locals, and I was willing to pay a few more $$$ to do so.
Hey, a few more $$$ is one thing, $250.00 more for the same reg! Give me a break!! That's isn't the worst part, as I understand they may not have the same volume of sales as shops near decent dive towns. The part that really, really pissed me off, and the reason why I will spend my $$$ elsewhere is the shop wants $30.00 per stage to service and $35.00 to $50.00 for the parts!!!!
Those crooks are going to charge me for parts that I'm entitled to for free. Not this kid. I will no longer use an LDS, unless it's a complete gotta have or can't dive emergency. And I don't care about air-fills, as I'm not lugging tanks to the Caribbean...
skierbri10
March 8th, 2006, 04:54 PM
I was a believer in utilizing your LDS, until a couple of days ago. I was in the market, for an Aqualung Legend LX reg. I live near Baltimore, and there aren't very many LDS's anyway,(just 3 within 45 minutes driving distance).
The regs are on sale, here, http://www.divesports.com/ You had to call for prices, as Aqualung won't honor warranties for on-line purchases. I called 'em up, and got the price. I also got the price for annually servicing the regs. I spoke to Phil, (hell of a nice guy), who gave me the prices and explained what they do. Basically...it's ~$60.00 to service 'em and, with Aqualungs ltd lifetime warranty, they supply the parts kit for free, as long as you purchased from an authorized dealer, and service the regs annually. Sounds good to me.
So, because so many posters talk about how important it is to support the LDS, I called the LDS, which shall remain nameless. I figured, hey, no harm in supporting the locals, and I was willing to pay a few more $$$ to do so.
Hey, a few more $$$ is one thing, $250.00 more for the same reg! Give me a break!! That's isn't the worst part, as I understand they may not have the same volume of sales as shops near decent dive towns. The part that really, really pissed me off, and the reason why I will spend my $$$ elsewhere is the shop wants $30.00 per stage to service and $35.00 to $50.00 for the parts!!!!
Those crooks is going to charge me for parts that I'm entitled to for free. Not this kid. I will no longer use an LDS, unless it's a complete gotta have or can't dive emergency. And I don't care about air-fills, as I'm not lugging tanks to the Caribbean...
It's a wonder why so many shops go out of business. :11doh:
Brandon
March 8th, 2006, 05:33 PM
So, because so many posters talk about how important it is to support the LDS, I called the LDS, which shall remain nameless. I figured, hey, no harm in supporting the locals, and I was willing to pay a few more $$$ to do so.
Hey, a few more $$$ is one thing, $250.00 more for the same reg! Give me a break!! That's isn't the worst part, as I understand they may not have the same volume of sales as shops near decent dive towns. The part that really, really pissed me off, and the reason why I will spend my $$$ elsewhere is the shop wants $30.00 per stage to service and $35.00 to $50.00 for the parts!!!!
Those crooks are going to charge me for parts that I'm entitled to for free. Not this kid. I will no longer use an LDS, unless it's a complete gotta have or can't dive emergency. And I don't care about air-fills, as I'm not lugging tanks to the Caribbean...
skierbri10 is right...
Some shops deserve to go out of business.
-Brandon.
StSomewhere
March 9th, 2006, 03:10 AM
Those crooks are going to charge me for parts that I'm entitled to for free.
This program is limited to participating Authorized Aqua Lung America Retailers. Aqua Lung retailers are not required to participate in this program. Please inquire with the Aqua Lung retailer if they participate in the Aqua Lung Free Parts for Life program prior to bringing your regulator in for overhaul servicing.
I'll admit I don't know why they wouldn't honor this, but apparently they aren't bound to if they don't want to.
Empty V
March 13th, 2006, 08:22 AM
Ok, so today I finally got certified. This was after 2 dive shops screwing me over. The first LDS gave away my spot for the boat dives and pushed back my certification to the end of may. On top of that, both of our confined water dives were in a 4' pool. From what I understand, that is a padi violation, can anyone confirm this?
So I called another shop to do my boat dives, they got me on a boat the next day for $85. I was really excited. Until I still had 1 skill to go and got a call saying that an employee screwed up and I owe the shop $250. The owner was reasonable and left the ball in my court as far as payment goes. I agreed to pay him the $25/dive he payed out the instructor plus the $30 for filing the paperwork. He brought out an instructor to take me down to the beach and finish up the last skill, which took a whole 5 minutes.
With that said, I bought most of my major gear online, scubatoys rocks, and will probably never buy a BC or Reg from a LDS. I got my Zeagle Brigade, which I love, for $400 from Larry with the rear weight pockets.
The instructor asked if I had my own gear, so I told him what I have and asked him his opinion on it. Everyone likes to hear nice stuff about big purchases. So he said it was expensive and I proceeded to tell him how I got it for a great price from scubatoys. After we got out of the water, he gave me a short lecture on how I probably pissed off the owner for talking about how I bought my gear on the internet.
All the PADI certified shops seem to have these rediculous ego's and talk trash about each other. It's like highschool with more expensive clothes.
DiveMaven
March 13th, 2006, 09:10 AM
All the PADI certified shops seem to have these rediculous ego's and talk trash about each other. It's like highschool with more expensive clothes.
That has nothing to do with PADI....you should hear the NAUI guys around here. :05:
Congrats on your gear purchase, sounds like you got good stuff.
