2009 DACOR Regulator Upgrade Program

[Phil Mintz]

March 2009



Mares Diving Announces Dacor Regulator Upgrade Program

DACOR REGULATORS PRODUCED IN THE U.S. PRIOR TO THE YEAR 2000 MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN UPGRADE PROGRAM, SEE YOUR PARTICIPATING AUTHORIZED MARES/DACOR DEALER FOR DETAILS.


NORWALK, Conn. (March 2009) MARES Diving Division of HEAD USA will offer 2 options for consumers to upgrade their Dacor Regulators that were produced in the U.S. by the old Dacor manufacturer prior to its acquisition by Mares Diving in 1999.

Back in 2005 & 2006 we ran a very successful DACOR REGULATOR UPGRADE PROGRAM which resulted in thousands of upgrades through participating Mares Authorized Dealers.

While many of the old Regulators were taken out of the market, we do still have the occasional request from a diver who missed the program. We would now like to offer a new upgrade program to dealers and consumers should their customers have any older Dacor Regulator, produced in the US prior to 2000. Should these qualifying regulators come in for service, you will be able to offer the customer the opportunity to purchase a new regulator at an upgrade Price.

Consumers who qualify for the upgrade can choose from two options: one mid priced regulator and one premium regulator. Details and pricing are available at participating Mares Authorized Dealers. This program will be valid starting April 6th through December 31, 2009, while supplies last. Offer only valid in U.S. & Canada.

[MikeSK]

Sounds like a good deal. I have a dacor reg/octo set that i bought around 96/97. Trouble is there aren't any Mares dealers close to me. Would the place I bought them from be able to do this even if they aren't a Mares dealer?

Is there a set reg to trade up for, or does it vary?

[Phil Mintz]

There are two specific Regulators being offered.

The details are available at the Authorized Dealers.

Phil

[bayliner]

Think they can be made available on the world wide web? The tecnology is available.

[Phil Mintz]

Mike,

There are two set regs being offered. It has to be through a Mares dealer, if there are no dealers near you, we can recommend one that will help you out.

Phil

[Phil Mintz]

Think they can be made available on the world wide web? The tecnology is available.

They are available on the Web through authorized dealers. If you need a recommendation, just let me know.

Phil

[pollywogg]

Since Phil is playing this one close to the vest, and I'm sure everyone would be disappointed to go up to their shop just to hear this...here's the scoop I got, courtesy of Shipwreck Mike:

Mares has re-introduced an upgrade program that lasts until December 31, 2009. If you have a Dacor regulator made in the USA prior to 2000, you can bring it in to an authorized dealer and they will send it to Mares, and they will send your choice of either a Prestige 12 or a Voltrex 22 system for a reduced price. Here are the details:

Mares Prestige 12
Upgrade Program Price: $200 (normal retail is $375)

Diaphragm 1st stage
1 High pressure port, 4 low pressure ports
Compact and lightweight, ideal for travel
2nd stage Mesh Grid reduces freeflow
Nitrox compatible to 40%
VAD and DFC performance features

Mares Voltrex 22
Ugrade Program Price: $300 (normal retail is $450)

Diaphragm 1st stage
High pressure ports, 4 low pressure ports
Moisture Retention System reduces dry mouth
All-temperature compatible, including cold water/ice diving
Nitrox compatible to 40%
VAD and DFC performance features

You must turn in you Dacor 1st stage and primary 2nd stage, which will be sent to Mares. They do not trade-in your gauge console or alternate air source/octopus.

Again, this upgrade program is only good until December 31, 2009 or while Mares has a supply of the Prestige 12 and Voltrex 22 units.

Now, my $0.02
You shouldn't try to make upgrade programs secret. Also, as an aside, I did a little bit of research, and you can get both regs being offered for a better price than Mares is offering as the upgrades. You'd be better off holding on to your Dacor, or selling/giving it to someone else. I would think that is why they don't want to post it online.
Also, just out of curiosity, why are you not offering upgrades on the octos?
For my money, I would keep the Dacor and go take up Zeagle on their 30 year sale.
Overall, while I appreciate that you are offering the upgrades, offering a price that I could beat without trading in a reg is kind of a scheisty program.

[Phil Mintz]

pollywogg

There is nothing being played close to the vest here. Every program has a start and end date. When we ran the last program we also had an end date and were still honoring trade ins 10 months after. No one who was eligible was refused.

The old Dacor company put the warranty on their Regulator sets, so this is what we are offering. Not sure what this has to do with a gauge, in fact we upgraded many that were not eligible.

As for the price, I am only aware of one on line dealer who is selling the Voltrex for less than the upgrade price, that is his choice to do so. But it does not make the $299 a bad deal, it is a very good price for this reg and I have not seen a lower price on the Prestige 12 (could be, but I have not seen).

I have found when ever you run this type of program many will like it, some will not. Some will always find fault. But I do take offense when you insinuate that we are running a "scheisty program". Our record on these boards is very open and clear. We are honest and do our best to offer advice and service to those who are having a problem with a product or dealer. Just because you feel a program is not to your liking or ideal, does not make us dishonest.

PS: Zeagle is a good company and they make good products. Do you think on their 30 year sale the dealer does not make any profit? So if a dealer decides to lower his margin, does that make the Zeagle program "scheisty" if he sells it for less than the program price. I would call it a benefit.

Phil

[pollywogg]

Phil,
I apologize for offending you in any way. I have a tendency to speak offhand, especially after work. The "close to the vest" comment was directed at the fact that it was asked twice what the actual upgrade was. The response both times was to talk to an authorized dealer. It's a simple and quite appropriate question.
I'm not sure what anything has to do with a gauge. Who said anything about gauges?
When I first heard about the program, I simply did a couple of online searches. My results showed quite a few retailers that were matching or beating your price for these regs.
I apologize if you take offense, but I did not insinuate, I stated that this was a scheisty program. I take that back. It's not scheisty. I simply have no inclination to trade a reg plus cash for a reg I could buy for the same amount of money...in a handful of places.

[Phil Mintz]

Pollywogg

No problem, it's also late here in the east. Just doing some work and I see these come across so I feel the need to respond.

The gauge comment was where you stated "They do not trade-in your gauge console or alternate air source/octopus." but I may have taken it wrong.

Any way, I feel the program is good. If some dealers want to make it even better by offering a lower price and not requiring the reg to be sent back, that's their decision. Either way the consumer wins.

Have a good night.

Phil