Posted: 8/15/2008 7:31:47 PM EDT
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I've got a total dive system that has been neglected since 2000. With multiple deployments, fieldwork, and life in general, my gear hasn't been inspected at all or used much in the last eight years. I used to be a serious diver, and all gear was top of the line (in 2000). Everything was well-maintained and cleaned before storage, and has been stored in conditioned surroundings. So, has anyone else had gear in storage for a long period before inspection? How did it turn out? A small concern is taking the gear in a being told I need to replace good components by a shop looking to make a few bucks off a guy they've never seen. The gear is getting inspected in any event, but curious if anyone has thoughts or experience on re-commissioning older gear. Thoughts? |
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It is life support equipment, I would have it inspected before you use it. If they say something needs to be replaced, I'd replace it. I sold most of my dive gear years ago, I wanted the cash and I wasn't diving enough to own my gear... I had it inspected and sent the invoice along with the gear to the person I sold it to. FWIW: Everything was fine, they replaced the rings in the regs, but that's all. |
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Hopefully, since it's high quality gear and was well-maintained, all it will need is the standard "small parts kit" for the various components. I've never stored dive gear that long, but I have some regulators that haven't been used in about 7 years - and I wouldn't hesitate to use them again next week, if they were inspected first by a competent guy. That said, I was HORRIFIED at how much I got ripped off on paying for a simple inspection of my gear here in northern VA. It was approximately 5 times as much as I paid my old dive shop back in MO. Plus, worst of fucking all, the gear didn't even work very well after the service  (the primary second stage was much more finicky, and would free-flow all the time). It's been a long time since I've been ripped off that badly. My ass still hurts from that raping.  So definitely ask around and try to find a reasonably-priced guy who is certified to service your brand(s), but my advice would be to get it serviced. |
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Some dive shops are rip-off artists. You would cringe if you knew what passed as servicing. 
Regs take a set after rebuilding. They apparently did not account for this. The LP orifice needs tweaked. I see you are in VA now. If you are teaching at VA tech by any chance, let me know, I am thru there every few months and I can easily fix that, especially if it is Scubapro. edit for spellin' |
Thanks for the offer!  I'm actually right outside D.C., so it's a bit out of the way. And it's not Scubapro, but Mares, so it might be more hassle than it's worth - but thanks!
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