What would you do?

[rhwestfall]

Let me start by saying I am not a vintage diver... I love my Kraken, and I also dive old(er) single hose regs (60's, 70's and 80's). Call me a bad diver, but I "need" a SPG on my rig, and I dive with tanks ranging from "LP85's to HP120's" (2500+ - 3500+ psi). The "glamour" of shiny chrome bit me, and I secured a 1967-ish RAM (very good condition), but needs work as the DB is shot, and it needs a cleaning to get the crystalized DB out of it - it appears spotless except for this (I have not opened it as it has the c-clamps on the case, but the view through the horns is "impressive" as to its cleanliness on the intake side). At the same time, I might be obtaining a DA (while bidding on the RAM, a DA was offered to me), also in good shape, and fully functioning thanks to VDH doing work on it for the current owner. The original plan was to ship the RAM (I got it first) to VDH to get a Phoenix, HPR, and DBE installed on it. Now the DA is a strong possibility.... With limited financial resources for this endeavor for now, and "needing" the upgrade to either, would you upgrade the DA or the RAM? Curious to your thoughts...

[Bronze06]

Bob,

Call me a Philistine, but since there were more DAAMs made than RAMs and since the RAM appears nice, I would go ahead and PRAM the DAAM and keep the RAM original. And no, you are not a bad diver for desiring an SPG. I use long yokes to accommodate an SPG even on my favorite 59 Mistral. I do however dive vintage "pure" more now than when I first started. JMO

Russ

[Bryan]

DA's are the Toyota Corolla of the double hose world. Inexpensive, plentiful, reliable yet unremarkable. There are thousands of them still around and with only a few exceptions they have zero collector value. Dollar for dollar a DA is the right place to start building a project on.

[luis]

DA's are Toyota Corolla of the double hose world. Inexpensive, plentiful, reliable yet unremarkable. There are thousands of them still around and with only a few exceptions they have zero collector value. Dollar for dollar a DA is the right place to start building a project on.

I like that description.


I also agree with upgrading the Aqua Master.

[georgeaustin]

I always smile when I see a DA on the market for 600.00 - really?
It's a good thing there are still thousands of them still around

[rhwestfall]

Thanks for the insight & rationale for the approach. Regrettably, the DA was not near the condition I was looking for once I got the pictures, and the price point was not, in my opinion, justified. So, Bryan, you will be receiving my RAM shortly to "pimp it up"....

[ScubaLawyer]

I would go ahead and PRAM the DAAM ...

If you PRAM the DAAM or a RAM, and get an o-ring in a jam, too much pressure and it might go bam and sound like you was back in Nam.

Ok, my brain gets all wonky when I haven't been diving in a few weeks.

P.S. George, I see those $600 project DAAMs advertised all the time. Even more amazing is when I see someone bought it. Anyone who wants one just send over a certified check for $600 and add $29.95 S&H, and i'll be happy to accommodate. Mark

[swimjim]

I would go ahead and PRAM the DAAM ...

If you PRAM the DAAM or a RAM, and get an o-ring in a jam, too much pressure and it might go bam and sound like you was back in Nam.

Ok, my brain gets all wonky when I haven't been diving in a few weeks.

P.S. George, I see those $600 project DAAMs advertised all the time. Even more amazing is when I see someone bought it. Anyone who wants one just send over a certified check for $600 and add $29.95 S&H, and i'll be happy to accommodate. Mark

Me too, me too. I'll even throw in some extra C clips!

[georgeaustin]

I harken back to the days of yesteryear, before everyone and their sister suddenly realized that stuff was "collectible" - I have an acquaintence down here that has literally a garage full of "antique" scuba gear but I doubt he would even consider becoming motivated to look through it. - I think it's the mother lode - I need him to put me in his will and my only inheritance would be the garage. I have no doubt I could take 5 years off and travel from Baja to Cayman Brac just on a partial sale of the garage "museum"

[USdiver]

Bob,

Definitely PRAM the DAAM RAM, as that has got a good ring to it. Speaking of rings, make sure to upgrade to a band clamp, c-clips are for display or masochists. Also get silicone hoses and mouthpiece, duckbill eliminator, hose clamp thumbscrews (sounds like a torture device, but it's the opposite), and as you dive hp tanks, make sure to upgrade to a heavy duty yoke on the Phoenix, if not offered so initially. Your PRAM will then be almost as up to date as your Kraken.

Then once you have everything updated, and set to your liking for SPG usage, you'll become like the rest of us, and eventually shun SPGs. We just swim down, suck the tanks dry, then swim back up.

George

[EHowe]

If cash is an issue to get one up and running I would select the nicest set of cans. And sell RAM as is. Use cash from that sale to go all the way on the DAAM- Phoenix, HPR second , DBE & new hoses. Then if you still want a RAM buy a label from Simon beans