Buying a reg online

[aman100]

Newbie question. Looking at buying a reg online from DiveInn. Can the reg be used straight out of the box or does it need to be
tuned/serviced?

Thanks

Jerry

[O-ring]

Shouldn't need anything...

[jbd]

dive trip back in June. One person on the boat had just bought all new gear, still in the box. Regulator needed some assembly. You might want to check with Dive Inn.

[MikeFerrara]

Some regs are shipped from the manufacture in need of some assembly. Most manufacturers specify that the dealor inspect, test and tune if required every reg prior to sale. To my knowlege Diveinn , in most if not all cases is not an authorized dealor and therefore can not perform these services.

Some of the things that should be done with every reg prior to sale are:
Assemble
Test interstage presure for correct setting and stability

check for leaks or other dammage

test second stage adjustments and tune as required

ensure customer understands operation, warentee and is provided with the owners manual

If you are not comfortable doing this testing youself you should buy a reg from someone that is.

[O-ring]

...I actually assembled mine (just added hoses) with a buddy of mine who works for a dive shop so it seemed pretty plug and play to me. I would do what Mike says...he is usually right on the money.

[GP]

If you buy from Dive Inn, it would be best to take it in to a LDS to have it checked out and tuned correctly. I know people who have bought from Dive Inn and used it right out of the box with no problems and others who have had free flow problems because the IP was not set correctly. Best to be safe than sorry. One other note, don't worry about the negative comments some people have with bringing an online purchased item into an LDS for service. Service is part of their business and if they deny you service because you didn't buy from them then take it to someone who will. In my state we have LDS's that actually advertise on their websites that they are happy to service online purchases with no factory warranty (that's how it should be), it's not a big deal. You may pay a little more money for service (no free parts...who cares) but it's not enough to offset the savings of buying it online.

[chris_b]

Originally posted by MikeFerrara
...manufacturers specify that the dealor inspect, test and tune if required every reg prior to sale. To my knowlege Diveinn , in most if not all cases is not an authorized dealor and therefore can not perform these services...

Actually, DiveInn is an authorized dealer, at least for Apeks (probably not for Scubapro as the latter is very anal about banning online sales). Like all "online" stores, they are a brick-and-mortar store that has an online presence, and they do have techs who know their equipment. The competence of a technician does not necessarily depend on whether or not he/she is "authorized" for a particular brand; it's more experience, ability, and attention to detail.

Regardless of where you bought a reg, if you can perform the tests/checks that Mike lists you should. Even local "authorized" dealers can and do screw up. The tools needed are inexpensive
and relatively easy to come by. Buy and read Vance Harlow's Scuba Regulator Maintenance and Repair; at the very minimum it will give an understanding of how to tune your regulator.

Good luck!

Chris

[aman100]

Thanks to all that replied to my post. Appreciate the info provided.

Jerry

[art.chick]

...but wanted to point out, if you do not already know, that you will have to add your octo pus & console to the reg (usually sold as a first & second stage already hooked up.)

I would not agree with what the afore mentioned diver did: showing up on the boat with the stuff still in the package to assemble on deck. If you have not added these hoses before, you probably need a tool (sold at all LDSs) that goes into your sav-a-dive kit. I never dive with anything I have not tested in the pool first. Here's why: bought a descent octo from a reputable shop. Put it onto my first stage, hooked it up to my tank & huffed clean air. All seemed well. Took whole thing into the pool to practice OOA. Octo huffed pure H2O. There was a small black plastic plug missing.

The shop pleasantly replaced the plug without hesitation, but if I had jumped off a boat like that & needed it, the octo would have failed me.

Wherever you buy it, make sure you know exactly what to expect from new piece of equipment before you dive with it.

[Welshman]

Should be OK. However check when it arrives that you got what you ordered. I bought a Mares reg from Sebascuba which came with a DIN fitting when I'd asked for an A clamp and it took about 3 weeks to get the A clamp.

Regards