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LOL....Yes Martin, when are we going Ice Diving
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I would avoid the SR1. I have a friend who bought one, and it had 10PSI of IP creep right out of the box and was not any better after 50-60 cycles. This is indicative of a poor piston/seat design. Both SP and atomic have had issues with new piston/seat designs throughout their reg development. I bet the SR1 is in a similar situation; maybe future seat upgrades will improve the lock up. It also was set very stiff; more than 2" H20 cracking pressure. I was not impressed. It looks sort of like an atomic 1st stage with a (sort of) s600ish 2nd stage. There appears to be a proprietary fitting to adjust the 2nd stage orifice, although it's possible that cracking effort in this stage is adjusted from the other end within the adjuster/seat saver mechanism. I'd also be very hesitant to use a reg that's designed to separate the 2nd stage seat/orifice while the reg is unpressurized. This can cause real problems while soaking the 2nd stage, which is a very important bit of maintenance. I don't know if the SR1 seat saver actually separates the seat/orifice like the atomic, but if it does, for me that would be a deal breaker.
LOL....Yes Martin, when are we going Ice Diving
The WOB numbers on most high performance regs are so low that there is no practical meaning to them. Sometimes there are serious design compromises made to produce absurdly low WOB test scores; like super thin exhaust valves that are notorious leakers or excessive venturi assist that results in an unnatural feeling of air being forced into your mouth.
For decades Sherwood has built a reputation on producing simple, tough, long lasting regs that take a great deal of punishment in rental fleets and OW classes, but are not super refined in breathing. They have really gone in a different direction with the SR1. It's too early to know if this reg will tarnish that reputation or improve it.
I have an SR1, and have used the Flathead 6 many of times. The breathing on the SR1 is alot nicer. Even on our flowbench, the ease of breathing on the SR1 outperforms the flathead 6. We are also a Zeagle and sell many flathead 6s, its a very good reg and solid performer, but I would go with the SR1...
Lets also look at a couple other things...Size the SR1 is ALOT smaller than the FH6, and the first stage is a noticably lighter on the SR1. As for breathing controls, the SR1 has one knob for all breathing effort controls. The FH6 has 2...one adjustment is always easier than 2
Jimmer, firststage is all sorted out and its available in DIN....I have sold a few in DIN and ordered din kit for others that originally had yoke
Oh jimmer, you just want the new Flathead 7 You can admit it....and I have a pre-release special for ya too PM me for info...