New from New England

[jviss]

Vintage diver fond of vintage gear; PADI certified in '75. Sold my Helathways single stage two-hoser, and got more money for the U.S. Divers HP gauge adapter.

Found this site looking for Seatec, need a replacement bladder for my compact-sized horse collar BC, circa '74 or so. Still have not found a more compact,lower drag, less obtrusive BC than this, and I have a Dacor jacket, larger Seatec, wings, etc. Still like the old-school idea of being able to doff your tank and reg in the water and still retain complete buoyancy control, via your weight belt and BC. Have done this many times to hand the tank off to climb a ladder onto a boat, doff the tank to inspect the valve in the water, untangle something, and so on.

Wish I could buy a new:

- two hose, two stage, HP port, all chrome plated brass;
- bullet proof single hose, chrome plated brass;
- service kits for both;
- new compact horse collar BC.

Also interested in classic U/W cameras - have two Rolleimarin housings, several Nikonos II's, a Nikonos I, a III, and a couple of broken V's. Nikonos II was the best, in my opinion.

[scubadiverbob]

Hi,

I'm into underwater photography as well. Started out many moons ago with a brand new
nik II and a nik flash that used very large flash bulbs that had a tendency to break in a bc pocket. Later bought an adapter that allowed the use of the small bulbs (I think they was called AG3 bulbs). Hey, if you run across a Calypso camera someone doesn't want, I'll find it a home! Especially if it's the green bodied type. Well now I currently use a modern camera. A Nikonos 4a with a SB-101 strobe. Really good setup. Ok, it's not vintage. I got certified in the seventies; so, I'm not vintage (old) either. For the two hose you should look for a later version Snark III. Or, get a RAM (Royal AquaMaster) with a banjo fitting or pheonix nozzle. Me, I dive a DA Aquamaster and have a HP Port on my tank valve. Bullet proof single hose (not too many of them made nowadays), I recommend a Dacor pacer 900XLE second stage with an enviormental (sealed) first stage; best single hose reg ever made, in my opinion. You'll be lucky to find new equipment made to last or out of metal nowadays. I bought a Dacor (as described) on ebay someone was selling that was only dived with once in a pool, then the person gave up diving. I adjusted the IP in the second stage and it was like new.

Well, Welcome Aboard! You discovered a great forum with lot's of interesting people to chat with.

Robert

[luis]

Welcome to the vintage equipment diving group.
I live and dive in Maine where in New England are you?

About your questions:
For a double hose that is easy to maintain with good availability of parts I will always recommend either a RAM or an Aqua Master. You can use a banjo fitting for your SPG or you can convert it to a Phoenix RAM. This is a particularly good option for an Aqua Master. It will add HP and LP ports for octopus, BC inflator, etc. It basically brings the US Divers double hose regulator to modern standards.

For a bulletproof single hose regulator, my favorites are a Scubapro MK-5 with a balanced adjustable metal second stage or perhaps a US Divers Conshelf. Either of this regulators fall under true vintage and parts are available for both. Actually the Conshelf can be easily bought used or new. Aqua Lung is still making it.

The MK-5 / Balanced adjustable can use the latest Scubapro second stage parts. Its performance is the same as the latest best performer regulator ever made, but with the advantages of a metal second stage.

Service parts are available for all the regulators I mentioned. Both Scubapro and Aqua Lung support many of their old regulators. The Conshelf shares most of its parts with the Royal Aqua Master (and therefore the Phoenix RAM) and with many newer Aqua Lung regulators (like the Titan, etc.).

I see that you found the thread about horse collar BC. I hope that helps you.


Let me know if you dive anywhere near southern Maine. Maybe we can do some diving. You are welcome to try one of my Phoenix Royal Aqua Masters if you like.


Have fun

[JES]

Welcome jviss!

You have definitely come to the right place for Vintage Diving.

It's great that you have become a part of this community. As you have already discovered, the members on this board are friendly, extremely helpful and very knowledgeable.

Welcome aboard and remember to stay connected and dive often!


Regards,

JES

[duckbill]

Welcome, jviss. I hope you can join in regularly.