Question(s) regarding HOG D1 1st stage verses EDGE 1st Stage

[Subaquatic1]

I purchased (what I thought was) 2 HOG D1 1st stage and 2 HOG 2nd stage regulators from TDL during their Black Friday special a few weeks ago...however I was shipped 2 Edge 1st stages along with 2 HOG 2nd stages....contacting TDL, I was told that the special was in fact for the Edge/HOG combo, and a closer look at my order confirmation would seem to confirm this....

...I don't necessarily mind keeping the Edge 1st stages and in some regards it might even be considered an "upgrade" from the HOG D1, since the Edge I received (according to TDL) is a chrome version of the "new" HOG D2...considerably smaller than the D1 and minus the rotating turret. (I recognize that HOG/EDGE is one and the same company and is using different names to go after different market segments)

TDL is willing to replace and ship me the D1 I thought I ordered, but before I did so I was hoping to hear a few opinions on the matter. I am currently using 2 HOG D1 1st stages and made this latest purchase so that I could have 4 identical 1st stages for ease and familiarity of servicing. Any thoughts or insight on this is appreciated!! Thanks and Happy New Year!!

[txapacheguy]

The first thing I would ask is about parts compatibility. If you decide to start servicing the Edge regs yourself, are the parts going to be compatible between them and the D1s you already own, and if not, what will you have to do to get parts? I own a set of the D1's, and am kind of fond of the swiveling turrets for use with doubles, but that's just my opinion.

Safe Diving!!!

[Subaquatic1]

Thanks for your reply! I do plan on (eventually) servicing the regs myself...I understand the D1 and D2 (Edge Epic??) take different service kits but that both are readily available. It is my intention to maintain 4 regulator sets - 2 for doubles, 1 for pony/stage, and 1 for single tank o/w diving. I currently have 2 D1's and 2 Mares MR22's....was going to sell the MR22's and replace with 2 more D1's so that I would have 4 identical regs that I could service (even though I LOVE my MR22's..not good routing for doubles though, nor can I service myself). But due to my apparent lack of attention when ordering, I ended up with 2 new Edge (D2's, Epic, or whatever it's called) 1st stages. Probably best to return and get the 2 D1's I was originally after unless someone can scare me away from the rotating turret and/or explain why the D2 is a better 1st stage. Thanks again!!

[jcook]

I use the HOG D1's a bunch, they are great for the price point they are at. Granted they don't hold a candle to an Atomic M1 or Scubapro MK25/A700, but it works for what you need it to if you're on a budget. Plus most HOG dealers give a service class so you are able to service your own regs.

[Mark Vlahos]

The 5th port on the end of the D1 first stage can make hose routing a bit cleaner on doubles. If you plan on using the 5th port on BOTH first stages for your doubles then you need two of them. The swivel turret works well for a stage or deco bottle, you can use a slightly shorter hose to your second stage since you don't have a permanent bend to account for. The swivel turret on a singles recreational regulator just makes things more complicated, in my opinion. For this one the Edge might work better, if I understand how the ports are arranged on that first stage. I think it is pretty much like an Apeks DS-4 but has high pressure ports on both sides.

So, depending on how you will set up your doubles you will either need two or three of the D1 first stages, and you have one application where the Edge first stage is a better choice. Since I have not taken apart an Edge first stage I can't get to the specifics of just how they are serviced. It is my general understanding that the performance of the Edge first stage will be fine. The only question I have is with regard to all 4 first stages. Are they all environmentally sealed, a mix of some sealed with others not, or are they all not environmentally sealed? Personally I like the sealed versions, but that is because I sometimes dive in cold water and I don't want to get stuck by not bringing along the correct first stage.

Mark Vlahos