All Around Reg for Travel Rec Diving

[Jonn]

Scubapro Mk 11 checks those boxes. Not a high performance reg but it will easily do what you need, and is okay-ish for those more challenging cold and dirty waters. I have two.

 

[lowwall]

What do you think to the mares SXS 62X? Is it good or style over substance?

That second stage is a reintroduction of the Mares MV which in turn was originally built by Dacor as the Viper.

I don't have any experience with it in any of its iterations, but reviews suggest it works well. The side exhaust is nice for getting bubbles out of your face and it's handy for an octo and swimming upside down since it works equally well no matter what side is up.

The downsides are that it's not a super high performance reg, so not recommended for deep and cold. Although it should be fine for general Caribbean diving. Also the purge is reported to be pretty weak.

 

[lowwall]

Deep6, Dive Rite, HOG, Zeagle, Sherwood all make good regs at a good price.

But the OP specified "Well known brand that will be easy to get serviced / supported in both USA and international". IMO that limits the discussion to Scubapro, Aqualung, and Mares. Maybe you can add in Apeks and Atomic if you are feeling generous, but the rest have a very limited footprint outside the US.

 

[brsnow]

Z2 from Atomic has treated me well.

 

[Pressurehead]

Well known brand that will be easy to get serviced / supported in both USA and international

Deep6, Dive Rite, HOG, Zeagle, Sherwood all make good regs at a good price.

But the OP specified "Well known brand that will be easy to get serviced / supported in both USA and international". IMO that limits the discussion to Scubapro, Aqualung, and Mares. Maybe you can add in Apeks and Atomic if you are feeling generous, but the rest have a very limited footprint outside the US.

2. Scubapro: MK11/C370 or MK19/G260 or MK19/D420

Mk11/C370 and MK19/G260.

 

[Jcp2]

Yoke, not DIN.

 

[rongoodman]

But the OP specified "Well known brand that will be easy to get serviced / supported in both USA and international". IMO that limits the discussion to Scubapro, Aqualung, and Mares. Maybe you can add in Apeks and Atomic if you are feeling generous, but the rest have a very limited footprint outside the US.

Since the OP lives in the US and is contemplating less than a month of travel per year, it's hard to see how an overseas service network would be required or useful. If a regulator does happen to develop an issue while on a trip, you borrow another from the operator and send yours out for service when you return, whatever the brand.

 

[John Trecker]

This is a good point / question. I had thought that getting a well known brand / model would be helpful so that dive operators, guides, etc would be familiar with them overall including in case there needed to be adjustments or where any questions. Not just service, but yes, if something goes wrong on day 2 of a 10 day LOB, and if you had had something the team had known or used themselves would have made a difference in getting to use your own equipment, that seems a good purchase consideration.
For example, one of my first dive computers was a Suunto Zoop Novo which is commonly used by many dive ops all over, so there is lots of familiarity and assistance available should questions arise. I often had the same dive computer as my dive guide.
Maybe less of an issue here or there are more important considerations.
All of the input has been so very helpful.

 

[BoltSnap]

This is a good point / question. I had thought that getting a well known brand / model would be helpful so that dive operators, guides, etc would be familiar with them overall including in case there needed to be adjustments or where any questions. Not just service, but yes, if something goes wrong on day 2 of a 10 day LOB, and if you had had something the team had known or used themselves would have made a difference in getting to use your own equipment, that seems a good purchase consideration.
For example, one of my first dive computers was a Suunto Zoop Novo which is commonly used by many dive ops all over, so there is lots of familiarity and assistance available should questions arise. I often had the same dive computer as my dive guide.
Maybe less of an issue here or there are more important considerations.
All of the input has been so very helpful.

Frankly, I wouldn't let anyone touch my regulator when I am on a trip in a remote location. If I am concerned about the reliability of my essential dive equipment, I carry a spare. I always carry a spare regulator when I travel (but never had to use it in my 40+ years of dive travel. I buy top of the line equipment from most reputable companies and test all of my equipment before a trip).

 

[Beau Holden]

I had thought that getting a well known brand / model would be helpful so that dive operators, guides, etc would be familiar with them overall including in case there needed to be adjustments or where any questions.

A better thought would be to learn and understand your own equipment. All regs basically work the same way. If you don't know how your computer works or understand it, maybe you don't need to be diving it.