interesting comment from dive shop owner

[Michael Jastrzebski]

Hi, this is my first post here.

I have been a recreational diver since 1990. Back then I purchased a US Divers Conshelf 21 regulator. Believe it or not - I logged about 400 dives and although the regulator was periodically checked (for free) I never had it overhauled, no parts were ever replaced. The dive shop where I bought it is still in business and they told me they could overhaul it for around $40 and would be as good as new! The owner of the dive shop is a friendly guy and when I told him I wanted to get a more modern regulator (I have Apeks XL4+ in mind for its portability, easy to travel with plus I like its look!) he said my overhauled Conshelf would still breathe better - pinned down he suggested that the size of the diaphragm in the second stage is the reason it will breathe better. Any comments? I have a trip to Truk lagoon coming and I was thinking to get more modern regulator.

 

[flyboy08]

Buy it! And bring both? Or use the conshelf as your Octo?

Truk! You lucky $&#*@

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

Unless you really, really, really want a new regulator - just because - (and there's nothing wrong with that), your overhauled Conshelf 21 will be just fine. I still use my conshelf XII from about 1976 all the time. (Of course I use my 1956 Voit VR-1 and my 1958 US Divers Mistral all the time too, so maybe I'm not the guy you should be listening to.

 

[drk5036]

It seems like you want to spend money on scuba gear, it's burning a hole in your pocket Any specific reason why you want a new regulator? They serve one purpose, and it's hard for one to be truly better or worse, as long as it's working well. My suggestion: service the regulator, and spend that money on something else that you can take with you to Truk to try out! How about a Shearwater dive computer instead?

 

[fmerkel]

I overhauled an older Conshelf I got for $75. Sold it to a newly minted instructor. He took it on a pool session, and also let another instructor use it. The were amazed, breathed better than their $$$ top end regs. Lots of people here use old regs. Properly set up they can not only work fine but in some ways be superior.

 

[KarolinaKid]

It seems like you want to spend money on scuba gear, it's burning a hole in your pocket Any specific reason why you want a new regulator? They serve one purpose, and it's hard for one to be truly better or worse, as long as it's working well. My suggestion: service the regulator, and spend that money on something else that you can take with you to Truk to try out! How about a Shearwater dive computer instead?

^^^ What he said. Very sound advice.

 

[FreeFlyFreak]

Hi, this is my first post here.

I have been a recreational diver since 1990. Back then I purchased a US Divers Conshelf 21 regulator. Believe it or not - I logged about 400 dives and although the regulator was periodically checked (for free) I never had it overhauled, no parts were ever replaced. The dive shop where I bought it is still in business and they told me they could overhaul it for around $40 and would be as good as new! The owner of the dive shop is a friendly guy and when I told him I wanted to get a more modern regulator (I have Apeks XL4+ in mind for its portability, easy to travel with plus I like its look!) he said my overhauled Conshelf would still breathe better - pinned down he suggested that the size of the diaphragm in the second stage is the reason it will breathe better. Any comments? I have a trip to Truk lagoon coming and I was thinking to get more modern regulator.

Sounds like you have a fantastic LDS owner.
Not many would talk you out of a sale.
Stick with them, get your reg serviced by them, and buy something else for your trip instead.

 

[chillyinCanada]

I've had that experience with two separate dive shop owners though one of them did start to break down and show me sets but that was as the business was getting ready to close down.

In the end, I've stuck with my old Maximus and will probably dive it until I no longer dive or win a little lottery.

 

[outofofficebrb]

Sounds like you have a fantastic LDS owner.
Not many would talk you out of a sale.
Stick with them, get your reg serviced by them, and buy something else for your trip instead.

Agreed. A rare LDS and owner. I appreciate his honesty instead of making an easy sale.

 

[Michael Jastrzebski]

Or use the conshelf as your Octo?

I admit - it is clever idea but this apparently wouldn't work - Apeks' first stage is over-balanced, would not be compatible with my Conshelf's 2-nd stage.

How about a Shearwater dive computer instead?

You are on the right track - I am very seriously considering this one!! But why "instead", the stock market has been good to me I can easily afford both

Guys, thanks for your input but no one addressed the crux of the matter - is there any truth in his statement that the diameter of the second stage has any impact on the "ease" of breathing?