Difference in Back Plates and HOG question

[chrpai]

It's not the LDS that is anti HOG. I see it all over the forum. I respect my LDS enough to not bring in questions or comparisons with brands they don't carry. The only thing that they have ever tried to warn me about is buying from a grey market online dealer.

Oh many LDS's and specifically their vendor Reps hate Hog. You "respect" your LDS, do they respect you? Why shouldn't you be able to ask them to justify their product against the competitor? How is it there is this air of "don't ask"? I'll tell you... cause it's been that way for a long time and it has to do with the relationship that the guy who is teaching you how to think / dive is also the guy that is telling you what to buy. That's the source of the problem right there.

 

[captainhook426]

I suspect that the reason some folks hate HOG are quite similar to the reason you hate Toyota.

Paying more on the rational that you "get what you pay for" without clearly understanding just what more you are getting is not very smart. But, if the money is not an issue, then why waste the time and effort to become knowledgeable.

With scuba I am learning that everything is about the same with some small differences between companies. I do not take the pricing as something that is better, especially because people have this really bad habit of charging for parts for life now. Asking questions and getting responses on the boards makes for a better buying experience. I will compare every combination that I can think of before I even get the chance to think about purchasing. I am a college student, so I have like zero disposable income. So saving is the name of the game for me.

 

[ams511]

The only thing that they have ever tried to warn me about is buying from a grey market online dealer.

I don't think there are any grey market retailers anymore. Leisure pro is a dealer with almost every product they sell. Also there is nothing wrong with a grey market plate. It is not like it needs to be serviced.

 

[captainhook426]

Oh many LDS's and specifically their vendor Reps hate Hog. You "respect" your LDS, do they respect you? Why shouldn't you be able to ask them to justify their product against the competitor? How is it there is this air of "don't ask"? I'll tell you... cause it's been that way for a long time and it has to do with the relationship that the guy who is teaching you how to think / dive is also the guy that is telling you what to buy. That's the source of the problem right there.

I honestly haven't just come out to ask them about things. I have only stopped by a couple of times to get pricing on mask/fins/snorkel because I want to make sure those fit comfortably. I also have asked them about what they offer as far as other products so I can compare. I like to support local businesses and will likely pay just a small amount more if it means helping our local crumbling economy float for just a little bit longer.

 

[robertarak]

HOG owners tend to fall in love with the performance/value and customer support. The haters say it's a copy of this or that and it's made over seas or some other reason. Personally I think they are trying to justify the fact that they spent more money. I use HOG products, my students use them and I sell them. That said, Halcyon, DSS, Apex and other all make fine gear. You would really be hard pressed to find a significant difference.

 

[Oldbear]

Where is their (HOG) gear made? I thought I read on SB China, but I see that at least some of their stuff is made in the USA. Just curious

I probably won't buy from them. At the last DEMA show I stopped by their booth and stood there for about 30 minutes and the guy there couldn't even get his nose out his ... whatever he was doing to acknowlegde my presence. And they weren't busy either.

I am not the type to beg you to take my money.

 

[captainhook426]

How do you tell the difference in the finishes? The plates i'm comparing don't seem to have that information, is this information even important?

---------- Post added April 4th, 2013 at 12:36 PM ----------

HOG owners tend to fall in love with the performance/value and customer support. The haters say it's a copy of this or that and it's made over seas or some other reason. Personally I think they are trying to justify the fact that they spent more money. I use HOG products, my students use them and I sell them. That said, Halcyon, DSS, Apex and other all make fine gear. You would really be hard pressed to find a significant difference.

As far as I can tell, everything is a copy of everything now. The products work the way they do, regardless of how they are made.

 

[JohnN]

How do you tell the difference in the finishes? The plates i'm comparing don't seem to have that information, is this information even important?

---------- Post added April 4th, 2013 at 12:36 PM ----------



As far as I can tell, everything is a copy of everything now. The products work the way they do, regardless of how they are made.

Dude,

You're overthinking the problem. Just buy the BP, you'll be happy with it

 

[captainhook426]

Where is their (HOG) gear made? I thought I read on SB China, but I see that at least some of their stuff is made in the USA. Just curious

I probably won't buy from them. At the last DEMA show I stopped by their booth and stood there for about 30 minutes and the guy there couldn't even get his nose out his ... whatever he was doing to acknowlegde my presence. And they weren't busy either.

I am not the type to beg you to take my money.

Are there any American made manufactures anymore. That in my mind alone is worth more money and support.

---------- Post added April 4th, 2013 at 12:40 PM ----------

Dude,

You're overthinking the problem. Just buy the BP, you'll be happy with it

I really don't think it's about over thinking it. I feel like if I spend money somewhere, they should be the right "fit" for me as far as a consumer. There is a clear difference in pricing and I wanted to understand why.

Thanks though.

 

[redacted]

With scuba I am learning that everything is about the same with some small differences between companies. I do not take the pricing as something that is better, especially because people have this really bad habit of charging for parts for life now. Asking questions and getting responses on the boards makes for a better buying experience. I will compare every combination that I can think of before I even get the chance to think about purchasing. I am a college student, so I have like zero disposable income. So saving is the name of the game for me.

HOG is a good value with new gear and and provides rather rare support for the DIYer.

But, if you really want to save money, it is hard to beat older gear, especially if you can service it yourself. I dive nothing but older (1970-1990 vintage) Scubapro regulators. Aqualung/US Diver is another good option but it does not offer the design choices you can find with Scubapro. You will not find any DIY support from those companies in the USA; but they are so wide spread and common that plenty of parts and documentation are available if you do some hunting.

Good Luck.