Adjustable Regs

[Strick]

I've been seeing alot of people talk about one reg or another, but I am curious about adjustable ones. Obviously I see the advantage of being able to adjust it for comfort at varying depths however, what about when it gets hit (the adjustment knob) underwater and out of water. It would throw your setting way off. Just asking since I do not know. Before anyone goes on the deep end, I am not bashing it hehehe. Just asking.

=-)

 

[The Chairman]

Have not had any problems with my Micra. The trick is to back the adjustment all the way off in between dives. It has been pretty rugged for me.

 

[SpyderTek]

I'm using the Apeks tx-50. It has a macro adjustment slide and a fine tunner. I've knocked the Marco slide out of wack under water twice so far. Even at it's, ermm, lowest, setting it just makes the reg breath like a cheap rental. It wont EVER cut off your air flow just constrict it some. It was a simple thing to readjust the setting durring my dive even while wearing 5mm gloves.

The fine tunning is a huge knob that is very tight and takes a bit of torque to turn so it is virtually impossible to accidently knock it out of setting. I constantly adjust this knob as my depth changes.

I just bought my best friend the Titan LX. It has one slide lever adjuster. Haven't had enough experience with it yet to tell you its characteristics.

Spydertek

 

[TexasMike]

On my Zeagle Tech50D (the Apeks TX50 clone), I do the same as NetDoc. After the dive while I am tidying up my area/gear, I twist the knob back toward the "start" position. During the dive I adjust it outward as required.

But when diving relatively shallow and recreational, I've found that my reg breaths well enough that I don't adjust it outward at all.

If you are planning on getting into tech diving (especially the deeper stuff), then an adjustable reg is something worth investigating, IMO.

 

[Strick]

Thanks for the replies. I was curious on the ruggedness of the dials. I think I am going to look into the APEX TX50, have to see if I can find a LDS that sells them since I can't seem to find a scuba discount web site that sells them.

:tree:

 

[Lost Yooper]

I fiddle with my adjuster quite a bit, I guess. I store it turned all the way out. I jump in the water with it tuned about half way and tune it out until it's comfortable. As far as durability, the knob is pretty solid, and I haven't seen or heard of someone breaking the knob -- especially while diving.

The Apeks is a very solid reg renowned for reliability and extreme ease of breathing. Try DiveInn for a shop -- http://www.scubastore.com/eng/index.asp. E-mail me if you want a contact that can normally beat DiveInn, and you won't have to worry about warranty or customs.

Mike

 

[foothillsdiver]

I am still using a zeagle tech 50D and it is my reg of choice for deep diving. have not had any problems with it since 96. adjs are big and easy to reach and operate. Haven't had a chance to dive the "new apeks" aka seaquest .
As for non- tech diving I do prefer the scubapro regs. mk20 g500. They seem to be a little lighter and easier on the jaw. Both are a little pricey if you have to pay retail. Have had a lot of folks like the micra, but haven't tried one myself. among the top brands I don't think you'll find a whole lot of performance difference, you usually get used to what you have. You may end up buying what your lds can sell and service and most of the time that's not a bad thing.
whatever you buy, get enough dives with it to trust it before you try it on techie dives.


Happy diving


foothillsdiver

 

[Norm]

According to the reg you dive, this dial offers several functions. 1.On most it offers an ease-of-breathing adjustment. (If you're deep and inhalation is high you can adjust it for easier flow. If you're in a cave with high current flow you can detune it slightly for more resistance to freeflow). On regs with balanced second stages you will seldom need to adjust it u/w.
2.As Lost Yooper said you can back it off all the way during storage and help to extend seat life. (Some regs back off the orifice for you during depressurization)
3.In extremely coldwater/coldweather diving, if you experience a freeflow you can shut down the gas flow to this reg, (preventing a major snowball effect), and continue safely to the surface on your octopus.:doctor:
Norm

 

[Strick]

I've been looking around and decided to go with the Aqua-Lung Titan LX. Everyone says it's is just like the Apex Tx-50 in operation, its lighter, cheaper & adjustable. I appreciate everyones information on this subject!