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Post by John on Dec 13, 2003 9:00:38 GMT -8
Hi,
The other day I was at a local dive shop looking for a new set of twin tanks. I was asked what BC I would be using, and I said a SeaTec horse collar. The guy's attitude changed dramatically and he stated that such gear was obsolete and dangerous, and that he would not sell me tanks if that was the BC I would be using.
Has anyone else encountered a similar response to our using vintage gear?
John
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Post by Bryan on Dec 13, 2003 19:30:09 GMT -8
Obviously he doesent know what he's talking about. Plus he cannot refuse to sell you anything! He can refuse to put air in the cylinder if you do not have a valid C card but that's it He's as full of S**T as a Christmas goose. When did it become the business of the local LDS to decide what equipment you can and cannot use. What a crock...... The more of this kinda nonsense I hear the more I understand why many of these shops are going belly up. Let me guess, this is also one of those places that will certify you as an advanced open water diver with a weekend class!!
Where is this LDS located? I'd like to stop by if I'm ever in the area and have a chat with them as well.
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Post by Dennis on Dec 13, 2003 20:41:58 GMT -8
I called a dive shop here in Tampa and asked what was the required gear to do a boat dive. It was an honest question. It's been a number of years since I did a commercial boat dive. I was surprised when they told me that I couldn't use a horse collar BC (a SeaQuest "White Water"), even though I told them that it has an auto-inflator. They recommended that since my equipment was so old that I come in and talk with them about getting something more up to date.
Yea, it's time that I upgrade to a Super-Wazoo-Tekkie BC for only $500. ***Just Joking!!***
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Post by Bryan on Dec 14, 2003 7:46:31 GMT -8
Dennis, I know what you mean! I have a SeaQuest black diamond and I think it's possibly the best BC I've ever had, but I was on a boat dive once and a guy was talking about what a fantastic NEW invention back inflation BC's were. He was floored when I told him that I had been diving with one since 79. And the same argument was going on then as it is now that they were dangerous and you would drown because they would tip you face down if you were not concious!
If we still had the opportunity to train new diver correctly they would have the chance to use all three types of BC's before they decided on which one was best for them!
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Post by John Lundy on Dec 14, 2003 14:34:45 GMT -8
I will leave the dive shop nameless - don't need the paperwork of another homicide! I was probably diving (started in 1959) long before this kid was born. The training back then was more rigorous. When I got re-certified by PADI in 1986, they didn't even make me doff and don in the deep end of the pool, nobody pulled my mask off or turned my air off. In some respects I think training has become too reliant on the technology rather than an individual's ability in the water. What I didn't tell the lad was that I also have a Zeagle Tech Pac BC, but I still like my old Sunfish the best.
John
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Post by John A on Dec 15, 2003 6:03:50 GMT -8
I love my vintage gear, but I can not understand why anyone would "enjoy" diving a horse collar? I got rid of mine in '76 when I went to my first Back BC and have never missed it! But to each his(her) own. BTW, I have a White Stag and a Farallon horse collar that I still "play" with!
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Post by Dennis on Dec 15, 2003 12:47:04 GMT -8
I love my vintage gear, but I can not understand why anyone would "enjoy" diving a horse collar? A double hose regulator needs to be worn low, between the shoulders. When I tried that with a Scubapro stab jacket, the BC rubbed some paint off the regulator label. After that, I have only used a horse collar or a mae west (like a snorkel vest) with a double hose. I ended up liking them because they allowed me the flexibility to use different back packs, or to skip the BC and use the back pack by itself. I swim minimally weighted in fresh water and only rarely have to add air to the BC anyway, so I've never noticed a problem. |
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Post by ScoobieDoo on Dec 18, 2003 0:40:18 GMT -8
That 'mentality' is why I purchase 99% of my dive gear from Leisure Pro and eBay!
Ton's of "the brand I sell IS the best" crap going on out there...
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Post by John on Dec 18, 2003 7:11:17 GMT -8
Although a bit off topic from the original post, but I have to take exception to the Leisure Pro/ebay post. I have bought 99% of my gear through one shop (I have out lasted 3 owners) for the past 25+ years of diving and I can state without a doubt I have saved much more money than had I bought "discount". Just in service alone but also in the extras I will get and the discounts I receive just because of my loyalty. I would tell anyone, find a shop you trust and deal with them, in the long run it pays. When you are about to leave on that diving vacation and that "part" goes south, how quick will leisure pro fix it on the bench while you wait?
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Post by Deleted on Dec 18, 2003 9:31:10 GMT -8
Things haven't improved much since those single-hose newbies kept trying to cut Mike Nelson's exhaust hose. The knives are smaller, but the attitude is still there. Here's a link to text from a course on dive history, it touches upon marketing and legal considerations and how they influenced the evolution of the dive shop: www.sandiasnorkel.com/history/his-f_d2.htm#Section_6Not much to lament here. The end result is we can get double hose regs fairly cheaply, and deal with nice like-minded niche marketers like Vintage Scuba Supply. Dive vintage, and pay for it by buying stocks in the conventional wisdom. God bless America! |
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Post by ScoobieDoo on Dec 18, 2003 14:54:13 GMT -8
John,
I respectfully disagree.
I have followed about 6 dives shops and have watched them 'rape' potential newbies and others pockets. While most of them are off on some exotic vacation (on MY money) every month I am saving about 50% off of MSRP's.
For example, one dive shop (an OMS dealer) wanted $389 for their 100# wing. I purchased it for $219 new from mail order. Brand new - warrantied.
My Poesidon's - I saved $100 on EACH reg. My drysuit? I paid $686 vs. $1299.
Some of our LDS send their regs OUT for repair - they don't even do them 'in-house.'
I do my own regs, and soon to purchase my own air compressor. What will I NEED a dive shop for - tell me?
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Post by Dennis on Dec 19, 2003 5:14:41 GMT -8
"SeaTec - The Ulimate in Underwater Equipment" I also have a Zeagle Tech Pac BC, but I still like my old Sunfish the best. John I wondered what a "Sunfish" was. I stumbled across the SeaTec web site and saw that they still sell a "Sunfish Military". See: www.4seatec.com/I have a SeaTec SeaHorse (single tank wings) BC that is alright. It's a nice, simple BC. |
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Post by John on Dec 19, 2003 6:55:50 GMT -8
Scoobedoo
I must be spoiled or just lucky, I was able to get all of my apeks’ at virtually mail order prices, same with my diverite wing and backplate, they do all of their repairs in-house, (although they don’t have it) they understand when I show up with trimix for a top off and they don’t lose half of it back into the banks (what is even better they have not jumped on the tech bandwagon and will send the potential techies else were) ! And I have watched them sell someone away from the most expensive to what the newbie really needs, no hard sell. Furthermore, they sticklers on maintaining their two compressors and in the 25 years I have been dealing with them, I have never had a bad fill. Plus its fun just to hang out sometime and talk diving. If you are ever in Ft Lauderdale, they are Underseas Sports. All shops should be like this.
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Post by ScoobieDoo on Dec 20, 2003 17:41:56 GMT -8
Dennis,
That Seatec #1040 BC vest sure looks nice. I wonder if they sell these currently?
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Post by Dennis on Dec 21, 2003 8:33:35 GMT -8
I LOVE some of those names. Look at the "Perch" and the "Guppy".
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