aqua lung kronos or similar regulators

[fuggler]

My boyfriend and I are recently certified newbies and after renting gear two weekends in a row, I decided to start shopping for my own gear. I'm absolutely clueless when it comes to regulator brands and features so I'm hoping to get recommendations from you guys before an LDS salesperson confuses me with diving jargon. I stumbled upon the aqua lung kronos after searching for "side vented regs" on this board. I want something similar.

These are my info/needs/preferences:
1. We'll be diving regularly in Monterey, CA.
2. My goal is to get into underwater photography so I'd prefer a side exhaust second stage. (In general, I just don't like bubbles in my face!)
3. I want something that won't leave me with a tired jaw and a dry mouth. We've been renting a Genesis Atlas and I'm not a big fan at all. I find it too big/awkward.
4. An adjustment control would be nice, of course.

If you think I may want something that I didn't list above, please let me know. I didn't know about the side exhaust feature until today! Thanks in advance...

 

[rstofer]

If you want side exhaust, your choices are limited to Poseidon (reportedly a great regulator) or an obsolete Oceanic Omega II.

Let me tell you about the Omega IIs. They are great regulators. I am still diving the same pair of regs I bought 20 years ago. In addition, I have cornered the worlds market buying used regs on eBay. These old regs don't have adjustments and it is unlikely that they will breathe like a new ScubaPro G250V or a new Oceanic Delta 4. But they work for me. With the venturi assist, they will deliver a lot of air.

The Omega II makes an excellent reg to donate to an OOA buddy because there is no 'rightside up'. So, whether you donate your primary on a long hose or you donate your octo, the Omega II makes a good choice.

If you're quick, there is one on eBay right now: item number 120379563665

They are on eBay quite often. If you buy one, send it to DiveSports.com for service. Phil Ellis is a frequent contributor here on SB. Or you may find an LDS that is qualified.

At some point, there should be a discussion of piston regulators and cold water diving. The Oceanic recommended limit for all of their piston regulators is 50 deg F. So, Monterey is very close to the limit. I'm using the standard Omega II first stage but the rest of our little herd use diaphragm first stages and all are sold for cold water diving (Dive Rite Hurricane, Edge Epic with cold water kit, Oceanic Delta4/FDX10).

One approach might be to buy a good cold water regulator. Maybe the Delta4/FDX10 with the DVT but no swivel here Oceanic Regulator Instant Rebate Sale Don't worry, the hose is very flexible, the swivel isn't necessary. Besides, you may eventually use a 5' hose so you can donate the primary and the swivel wouldn't work anyway.

These are the cold water regulators selected by the Coast Guard, NOAA and the US Navy. Now, add an Omega II as an octo and breathe off it when you want side exhaust.

I just like the Omega IIs. I may never change except to dive with my double hose regs.

BTW, double hose regs have REAR exhaust! All of the bubbles are behind you. There is a Royal Aqua-Master for sale here: Regulators : Vintage Double Hose!, Your online source for all things related to vintage diving If you even think about diving vintage, visit the Vintage forum here on SB. There are some considerations to deal with: octo, power inflation, SPG. All have known solutions.

Richard

 

[mikeguerrero]

Fuggler,

I dive Monterey CA and I like you when certified thought what reg should I get? Because I wanted to photograph my adventures I wanted a reg that vents to the side, I wasn't a fan of the bubbles in my face when I was stationary.

I therefore purchased the Kronos by Aqualung and added the lip shield to keep my lips warm on those chilly dives. I couldn't have made a better choice, very simple to use and it kept the bubbles out of my face when vertical and trying to take a picture.

They have really come down in price since I purchased one almost 2 years ago.


MG
p.s you can see from my avatar, I have the Kronos when the pic was snapped, no bubbles in my field of view.

 

[rstofer]

I stand corrected, once again! I see where that AL Kronos has a side deflector. The list price is a little outrageous but compared to other high-end regs, it may not be too far out of line.

I haven't seen one at my LDS so I don't know what to think about it.

Richard

 

[fuggler]

Fuggler,

I dive Monterey CA and I like you when certified thought what reg should I get? Because I wanted to photograph my adventures I wanted a reg that vents to the side, I wasn't a fan of the bubbles in my face when I was stationary.

I therefore purchased the Kronos by Aqualung and added the lip shield to keep my lips warm on those chilly dives. I couldn't have made a better choice, very simple to use and it kept the bubbles out of my face when vertical and trying to take a picture.

They have really come down in price since I purchased one almost 2 years ago.


MG
p.s you can see from my avatar, I have the Kronos when the pic was snapped, no bubbles in my field of view.

Mike, I actually saw a bigger pic of you with the Kronos on a different thread. When I saw it, I thought "omg that's what I need!" One of our LDS has a Kronos package right now. It comes with a Kronos octo, inflator hose, and a Gekko 2 gauge comp console for $859. The guy told me I'd be saving $300+ on that deal, but when I looked it up on leisurepro, altogether it's cheaper. (Then again there are warranty, servicing, and assembly concerns when buying online, right?) I haven't even started reading up on computers yet. BAH, this is another migraine coming.

In any case, thank you for your input. Is the Kronos Supreme really necessary for Monterey diving?

 

[fuggler]

Richard, thank you for the recommendations. I'll call up the dive shops in my area and see if they have those.

Stupid question - are double hose regulators more complicated/harder to put together?

 

[rstofer]

Richard, thank you for the recommendations. I'll call up the dive shops in my area and see if they have those.

Stupid question - are double hose regulators more complicated/harder to put together?

No, they use a yoke fitting just like any non-DIN regulator.

The thing about double hose, as I see it as a brand new user, is you have to WANT to use them. There has to be some overwhelming force driving you to accept that the regulator will never breathe as well as a high end single hose. The fact that the diaphragm is above your back and physics alone make it clear that you will always have higher cracking pressure when horizontal.

You need to figure out which BCs/wings will work or you have to be prepared to consider a horse collar for some configurations (doubles?). You need to decide on how to make accomodations for the octo, SPG and power inflator. OR, you have to decide that you can get by with just the SPG. No octo? Blasphemy! Oral inflate? You must be kidding!

So, I'm not going to suggest that DH is a good first step. The extra training alone would put most people off. But, on the odd chance you are interested, get a copy of "The New Science Of Skin And Scuba Diving" This one may be early enough: Alibris: the new science of skin and scuba diving - 9604793530 At $1.99, it's a real bargain and shows how diving used to be taught. There have been a lot of changes but not much improvement.

OTOH, my grandson has a nice rear-inflate BC and regulator set. What's he want to wear in the pool? A plastic backplate, an Al 50 and my Royal AquaMaster. He'll dive all day with that rig and has no problem with not having a BC to adjust. I'm getting him a web harness in the next couple of weeks and this will reduce the cracking pressure by moving the regulator closer to his back. I'll never get to dive that regulator! I know he will want to use it at Monterey this summer.

One other thing to consider: A Royal AquaMaster and probably a DA AquaMaster will work on 3000 psi cylinders. A Mistral is better suited to a 2500 psi cylinder. A Phoenix conversion (Vintage Double Hose) will work on a 3500 psi cylinder. So, I had to go find an obsolete steel 72 to use with my Mistral. Either that or underfill my HP 100s which makes them, ...wait for it..., a steel 72!

I'm in the process of getting the DHs set up for diving this summer. I have several options and I'm working through the choices.

Wander over to the Vintage divers forum. I don't know how to get there directly so I click on Forums, wait for the page listing all of the forums appears and then search for Vintage. These folks really understand diving with DH regs.

Oh, and if money weren't a consideration, I would buy the Royal AquaMaster and have VDH install a Phoenix nozzle before shipping. Yes, it would be a very pricey regulator. But it could accomodate the octo, power inflation and SPG. And it would be very cool!


Richard

 

[mikeguerrero]

Mike, I actually saw a bigger pic of you with the Kronos on a different thread. When I saw it, I thought "omg that's what I need!" One of our LDS has a Kronos package right now. It comes with a Kronos octo, inflator hose, and a Gekko 2 gauge comp console for $859. The guy told me I'd be saving $300+ on that deal, but when I looked it up on leisurepro, altogether it's cheaper. (Then again there are warranty, servicing, and assembly concerns when buying online, right?) I haven't even started reading up on computers yet. BAH, this is another migraine coming.

In any case, thank you for your input. Is the Kronos Supreme really necessary for Monterey diving?

Fuggler,

I purchased my Kronos from Leisurepro because I got a great deal. If you see a deal you like jump on it whether at your LDS or online.

I fell in love with the reg when it arrived and never had a problem with it. I didn't get the Kronos octo to go with it because it's rather bulky and went with the simple ABS octo from Aqualung.

It's way more streamline and in controlled ascent you want to get to the surface and will not be using the side vent, that's a gimmick to me.

Now about the Kronos supreme, if you can get it for cheap over the regular Kronos jump on it.

It is environmentally sealed 1st stage while the regular one is not. That doesn't mean a whole lot in Monterey but if you ever do some colder waters say up to Alaska or Canada it will come in handy.

Also it protects from sea water contaminents from entering the 1st stage. I wanted it after I got the regular Kronos.

For dumb reasons I went with the regular Kronos because of the red markings on the purge button matched my entire gear setup, red/black. I was korny back then and now I don't care what color it is as long as it's quality.

You cannot go wrong with either one but the Supreme for a couple dollars more would be the better deal, plust you get the lip shield with the supreme included. You will not get the lipshield for the regular Kronos.

Hope that helps out.

MG

 

[fuggler]

Fuggler,

I purchased my Kronos from Leisurepro because I got a great deal. If you see a deal you like jump on it whether at your LDS or online.

MG

Are there any issues with getting your Kronos serviced at an LDS since you bought it on leisurepro? I was told that an LDS might not give you free parts.

 

[rstofer]

Are there any issues with getting your Kronos serviced at an LDS since you bought it on leisurepro? I was told that an LDS might not give you free parts.

Not only will they not give you the free parts but they will probably give you a lot of static. Apparently, they can check an AquaLung database and find out that it was not sold through an authorized dealer.

You can do a search for hundreds of threads on Leisure Pro versus LDS. They're all the same: support you LDS or you won't be able to buy air; support your LDS so you can get free parts; buy your stuff at LP and send it to them for service; buy your stuff at LP and send it to one of the online service shops; do enough business with your LDS and they might forgive this transgression; and so on...

One approach if you want local service is to just take it in, tell them you bought it on Leisure Pro before you ever started doing business with them and do they want to do the work or not? If they give you the least hint of static, walk out.

Richard