Northwest Dive Club

Hi guys,

Embarrassing how long it has been since we got wet, and I need to get our gear serviced. That includes some suit seals. I am on the east side but will go wherever for the best service. I would appreciate recommendations--I am currently not just out of the loop, but so far from the loop that its light would take a year to reach me.

I am also considering new regs, so that is an option instead of servicing them. I never really liked how our Dive Rites breathed and if there is a good value DIN cold-water reg that's easy to get serviced, I would consider that too.

I think our first dive back will be a 300 ft rebreather expedition in high current, with a lot of camera gear... sound like a plan?

Actually it will be sitting in 6 feet of water at Redondo and doing drills....

Thanks much. We are looking forward to getting back in the water.

Hi Matt! It depends. 8 Diving in Des Moines is great for tanks and general service. The last time I checked they were sending their regs to Don Peterson, but were planning to get someone on staff, not sure if that's happened yet. Dry suit seals I would get done at UWS on Aurora, since they do those in-house.

I believe George and Dakota at 8 Diving are servicing ScubaPro regulators in house now — not sure about other brands. George is also great with drysuit seals and does them in house as well.

-Doug

Thanks guys. The regs are Dive Rite, the suits are Pinnacle and a Whites Fusion--not exactly new, but the newer kind which does have replaceable seals.

Another vote of confidence for Don Peterson at Octopus Gardens for reg servicing. I just sent him mine yesterday!

Thanks Calvin!

I'll send the regs to Don for sure and pick one of 8 Diving or UWS for the suits. UWS is closer but it might be nice to check out a new shop too!

Well bad news, good news...

Bad news: Don doesn't do Dive Rite any more. He says there are few users around here nowadays, and so parts are hard to get.

Good news: Don is super nice, we chatted for 15 minutes, and he's going to call a couple people to see if anyone he knows still does them.

He is clearly an extreme regulator nerd which is exactly what you want in a tech! It's too bad he can't help us out. Worst case I can send them to Dive Gear Express.

Bummer. :(

Perhaps it's time for new regs?

If I have to. The Dive Rites not being servicable locally is a pain, but they are good regs that haven't given us any problems. The devil you know, right?

HOG regs are serviceable yourself, if you're so inclined, and inexpensive enough if you screw it up.

If I do buy replacements, that is an option! I have to decide where to draw the line on hobbies that require fiddly tools and parts stashes though... I already have several!

Hah! I'm sure Jen would be thrilled about that.

Went to Eight today. What a nice place! They had some righteous gear and the staff was very friendly.