HOG First Stage Regulator question

[tom.bresee]

Here is what I'm looking to do:

- Purchase Hog Zenith Second Stage regulator
- Purchase whatever Hog First Stage regulator that makes sense (cold water capable as well)

Does anyone know enough about Hog D1 vs D2 vs D3 first stage to explain how one might be better than the other ? Anything the D3 can do that the D2 can't ?
thanks.

Tom

 

[TommyAHS]

Tom,

Here's the short and easy.

If you want an awesome reg set that is sealed and you aren't worried about the latest and greatest, the D1 will meet your needs.
Cost saving D1 set


The D2 is compact, simple, sealed, and what I use on sidemount all the time. The classic 2nd is the way to go for cost savings. Though the faceplate sticks a bit more than the newer Zenith 2nd. This little 1st stage has all the ports your will need and is very convenient for travel and streamlining.
D2 1st

The newest, latest and greatest is the D3. The D3 has the downward bottom port and swivel not found on the D2. It works really well for any type of diving.
D3 1st

Classic 2nd Zenith 2nd

So far as functionality, they are all awesome regs. That being said, the D3 is strikingly similar to the "like" scubapro design, and is the flagship model that Jack puts out at HOG. You won't go wrong with HOG regs, though do relaize the prices changed as of January 1. Jack has raised pricing so it is no longer quite as inexpensive as it was. I am not sure if that changes your thoughts, but you should be made aware in advance. SO far as serviceability, the D3 is more complicated due to the swivel, but it also is very convenient for routing hoses with the downward port. So far as breathability they all tune down to right about .8 so they breath like champs if the service technician takes his or her time.

 

[victorzamora]

The Hog D2 doesn't have a turret. That's a big difference, especially for sidemount. The D3 is an improved-upon D1 which is practically a D2 plus a turret. All three are balanced diaphragm regulators with practically identical designs. The D3 turret is better than the D1 turret in that the hoses can spin freely around the DIN wheel (becomes convenient despite not seeming so) which makes diving it in a sidemount configuration much easier.

If I were you, I'd get the D3. I own 5 D3s so far and have been very happy.

 

[redacted]

How do those relatively small differences result in a cost change that is a factor of 2x or 3x? Is HOG looking to shed its low price advantage?

 

[NC Air Hog]

Here is what I'm looking to do:

- Purchase Hog Zenith Second Stage regulator
- Purchase whatever Hog First Stage regulator that makes sense (cold water capable as well)

Does anyone know enough about Hog D1 vs D2 vs D3 first stage to explain how one might be better than the other ? Anything the D3 can do that the D2 can't ?
thanks.

Tom

Hello Tom,

I have been diving with the D2 now for roughly two years. I absolutely love this regulator. It is easy to work on and very reliable. The only issue with it is that it only come in DIN. I think that is perfect, but many want a yoke. For that, I direct them to the EDGE EPIC. The first stage is the yoke version of the D2, but it is only available as a set (1st and 2nd stage).

The Zenith 2nd is pretty awesome. It has the same internal workings as the classic from HOG, but an updated faceplate with a soft center instead of the button. Another nice thing is that no matter which way you screw the plate on, it always ends up facing the right way (logo up). Does not impact performance at all, but it is fun.

The D3 is the latest and greatest regulator from HOG. If you picture the compact design of the D2 combined with the swivel and bottom port of the D1, you magically have a D3. There are some other changes internally, which are great, comparatively though. Right now, we are waiting on a shipment of D3s to come in. They should be here in a week to ten days. Not the best news, but as honest as I can be. Might throw in a gear bag if you decide to wait though

---------- Post added January 15th, 2015 at 04:14 PM ----------

How do those relatively small differences result in a cost change that is a factor of 2x or 3x? Is HOG looking to shed its low price advantage?

The D3 is now the premier regulator from HOG. To be honest, it is just a great regulator all around. The swivel and bottom port are a great option for many. As for the price increase, I think that everyone knew it was only a matter of time for them to go up. The ironic thing about is that some people always classified HOG and EDGE as the cheap gear and "you get what you pay for". With the price increase, I am willing to bet that the gear becomes better in the eyes of many simply because it is a more competitive price. I personally will miss the days when it was super cheap but still great to dive

 

[tbone1004]

If you are sticking with backmount the cost savings on the D1/Classic defininitely the way to go, can't beat $180 for a first and second stage that you can service yourself. The cap sticking mentioned above on the Classic 2nd can be remedied with a silicon cover replacement that is quite inexpensive, but the sticking is only for the purge button and since you don't use it all that often, it's a non issue. I have a couple of them and have no issues with it.

Only reason to get the D3/Zenith is if you like the looks of the regulator and that is worth the cost increase, or if you are in sidemount, for backmount only diving the standard turret works fine. For any multiple tank diving, the tirret regulators are superior to non turret regulators for hose routing. GUE standard is the MK25 and now the Halcyon rebadged version, but the sealed diaphragms are better for most diving than the pistons since environmental sealing is one of the best features on a first stage and you can't really seal a piston.

General price is $180 for the D1/Classic sealed set, and $325 for the D3/Zenith. Call Edd at Cave Adventurers and see what his packages are doing right now, he has some crazy deals going on for the D3/Zeniths, but you can get a full doubles set of the D1/Classics for under $450 with hoses and SPG, I think the best you'll do with the D3/Zenith is $650 ish.

No real performance difference between the three of them that you will notice. I think the D3 technically has a bit higher flow rate, but it's nothing you can notice as a diver.

 

[ams511]

Is HOG looking to shed its low price advantage?

I am wondering if HOG/EDGE was sold. Air Hog talks about Jack but I thought Chris was the owner. I looked at Cerich's current posts and he no longer mentions HOG in his tagline. That may be why the marketing is changing.

 

[decompression]

Chris moved on awhile ago.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tbone1004]

Chris sold his stake of the business this summer, he's now moved on and is sitting on the NAUI Board of Directors. Jack was hired as operations manager a while ago and he's running the show now.

 

[redacted]

Competitive quality and performance with low pricing and fairly unique customer support is what made HOG so popular with divers and so disliked by dive shops. Increasing profit margins may be the first attempt to change LDS attitudes. My fear is that will not be enough and they will eventually have to adopt the "industry standard" on customer support to gain acceptance with established retailers. Then it will just be one more good performing, overpriced regulator that you will not be able to buy parts for at your local authorized dealer.

Oh hum.