HOG Regs for pony/stage bottle

[Pao]

I am trying to build a reg set for a pony (or future deco bottle if I ever go technical). I came across the HOG reg. Looks interesting with good to fair reviews at an interesting price point. I am interested in the D1 with the cold water kit. Does anybody know if they are locally available? Can they be serviced locally (technicians/kits)?

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

Richard

 

[Tortuga68]

PM member cerich (owner of HOG) and/or post in the EDGE/HOG manufacturers forum

Not really any need for a cold water kit in the PI unless you're travelling

 

[Karl_H]

Hi Pao,

Divers Network in Quezon City has the Hog Regs in stock.

New scuba equipment in Diver’s Network Philippines — DivingSidemount.com

The D1s are a very good reg, pretty much identical to the similar Apeks DST/XTX50 regs but at a much lower price! I have a couple of sets of them now and can't say a bad word about them, the only down side I can think of would be the DIN connector has a delrin wheel rather than the metal wheel on the Apek 1st stages - although you can easily but the Apeks metal wheel and the Hog reg for less than the Apeks set-up.

The regs are basically Apeks clones so should be able to be serviced by any qualified Apeks technician, one of the big selling point of Hog regs for me is the fact the service kits are easily available and affordable, where as other Regs restrict the availability of service kits to qualified technicians only. this potentially opens the door for anyone from the street to service the Hog regs so make sure you check there are appropriately certified! Alternatively why not think about the Equipment Specialist course so you can service your own regs any time you want?

Hope that helps,

Karl

 

[Tortuga68]

...one of the big selling point of Hog regs for me is the fact the service kits are easily available and affordable, where as other Regs restrict the availability of service kits to qualified technicians only...

Well... that's not really true

 

[DevonDiver]

Hogs are really nice - I've had a few customers pass through using them. D1 is pretty much just a cheaper Apeks copy... good for doubles and stages though.If you track down a dealer in PI, please let us know the cost, as I'd recommend them.

 

[Pao]

Thanks everybody! I am already familiar with Apeks regs. I will check out Diver's network. @Karl- Are you really qualified to service a reg after the Equipment Specialty course?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

In most cases no. The Equipment Specialty course of most agencies does not come close to qualifying you to service your own regs. It is more of a rinse, this is how you change a hose, or swap second stages. Reg repair is not rocket science but it does take some aptitude, a few special tools, manuals, and the kits. As well as attention to detail. There are books that are great -Regulator Savvy from scubatools, and Regulator Maintenance and Repair from Airspeed Press. HOG does offer equipment tech courses through SDI/TDI as long as you have the proper qualifications and there needs to be an instructor who teaches the course available to you.

 

[Karl_H]

Hi Pao,

Sorry – I should clarify the statement on the equipment specialty course, Jim’s comments are very true – most courses will show you how to service a regulator, not qualify you to service a regulator – minor wording difference but a big difference in implications! Although the Hog regulator service course is only available to those already holding a technical diving qualification as far as I’m aware?

I’m not sure if I’d recommend the D1 for a twin-tank set-up though, I’d always say avoid regs with a rotating turret on twin-sets where possible, however, for sidemount, deco or pony set-ups the rotating turret allow neater routing of hoses so should normally be a bonus.

Karl

 

[Tug]

I have a HOG D2 and use it on my pony bottle. One of the reasons that I chose the D2 is because it's a little more compact than the D1 which I use on my single tank setup. So far I've only had the pony bottle on a few dives so I really can't comment on it too much, but I love the D1.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I use my D-1's on my doubles as do many others. Using regs with turrets is quite common here. Hose routing is clean and there is no stress on the hoses with the rotating turret.