Aqua Lung Micra

[Codyjp]

are there any good reasons why i should NOT buy one of these regs? i do hear that they are discontinueing them which isn't good to hear. I have heard of some issues of them free flowing on the surface.

my other option is the XS sea air trimetal. but if you get the free octo with the aqua lung that is hard to pass up.

what do you think?

 

[Mark Vlahos]

I purchsed a micra regulator somthing like ten years ago. Mine was the older non-adjustable version called the Micra+. I have the exact same second stage as my backup. Mine is paired with the SEA first stage, which was how they were sold at the time.

I have been quite happy with it. There are some service issues though. Opening the second stage requires a special tool, and some shops may not have this tool. I like the regulator, it almost disappears in the water it is so small. Aqualung has a long history of parts support for older regulators, so if you are worried about parts avaiability in the future you should be able to relax since they still provide parts for virtually all of their discontinued regs. The first stage they now use is the same one that is used with the Titan, the only drawback is that the first stage only has one high pressure port. This is really only a problem if you want to use an air integrated computer and keep a Submersable Pressure Guage attached for backup.

Mark Vlahos

 

[keyshunter]

I presume that you are talking about the Titan Micra, and not the older Micra with the Cousteau (Sea) first stage. I dived a few dives with one some years ago and found it to be a good breather. But, I was using a camera on these dives and thought that the bubble interference was excessive. I have also heard from a couple of pretty good AL techs that the Micra second stage is a PITA to service. In my opinion, I think one would be well ahead with either the standard Titan, or the Titan LX. These also have the free octo deal.
I know absolutely nothing about the XS Trimetal other than what I have read on this board.

 

[miketsp]

are there any good reasons why i should NOT buy one of these regs? i do hear that they are discontinueing them which isn't good to hear. I have heard of some issues of them free flowing on the surface.
..snip..

I now have 3 Micra ADJ regs in the family. I had 2 in use for some years and when my LDS burned off their stock due to them being discontinued I took the opportunity to buy a 3rd at a stupidly low price for a top end reg.

Great regs.

Between the venturi vane and the adjustment knob you can get a wide range of adjustment so this is probably where you got the story of free-flow at the surface. If you open up the vane and the knob at depth and then resurface without closing, of course you will get a free-flow at the surface. According to the service manual, with the knob fully open there should be a small flow of air. This is normal and correct.

I was assured that I should have no parts problems as there are plenty of these regs around and even though the 2nd stage is a bit complicated and does require a couple of special tools, lots of shops are qualified and equipped to work on them.

Apparently the 1st stage internal replacement kit is the same as the Titan and the Conshelf.

I believe the reason for being discontinued is due to the large number of regs that Aqualung have to support after recent acquisitions and not due to any specific technical issue. Probably being a higher priced reg it was just a slower mover so Aqualung did a straightforward business analysis on the product.

 

[miketsp]

..snip..
I have also heard from a couple of pretty good AL techs that the Micra second stage is a PITA to service.
..snip..

Looking at the service manual, quite possibly true but that would only be an issue for someone doing their own servicing. All I can say is I pay the same labour cost for the Micra ADJ as I do for much simpler 2nd stages.

..snip..
In my opinion, I think one would be well ahead with either the standard Titan, or the Titan LX.
..snip..

Have you tried them both on the same dive?
I have and wouldn't put them in the same class.

 

[Codyjp]

excelent, thanks everyone! now i need to decide if it is a good enough deal at $350...

 

[mike_s]

are there any good reasons why i should NOT buy one of these regs?

though I think they make a great product....

Since you asked "is there any good reason not to buy?"

Since Aqualung seems to be screwing it's dealers... it might be a reason.
check out this recent thread on SB
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=138963

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Looking at the service manual, quite possibly true but that would only be an issue for someone doing their own servicing. All I can say is I pay the same labour cost for the Micra ADJ as I do for much simpler 2nd stages.

No... Micra second stages are in fact a real pain to service even if you do them often. They have a interesting air barrel/lever arrangement and assembly procedure that is only fun to work on if you enjoy Chinese puzzles. I really do not enjoy seeing one sitting on the repair bench as they take at least three times as long to service as any other second stage ever made. As you point out the labor charge is the same as for any other second stage so you can be sure your already underpaid tech is probably going to be in a foul mood by the time he or she is done with it. Depending on the tech, that may or may not affect the quality of service.

The only special tool needed is a special spanner to remove the purge cover and diaphragm. And they do perform better than they have any right to perform. Plus the same reg was marketed my Genesis as well which can help if you need to find someone to service it in on short notice.

Parts availability is a non problem as Aqualung is one of the two major companies that provides nearly full support for the vast majority of their older regs. Scubapro is the other one, and like Scubapro, Aqualung has a small number of service kits that cover a large number of generally similar models.

 

[Ob1Stogie]

If it matters, I just had my circa 1992 Micra 1st and 2nd serviced, and it was no problem. I think the parts kit was $25 bux. The very small second stage is a dream on long dives because of the size and reduced weight. However, the bubbles can be a problem since there is no large exhaust on it to divert the bubbles. But, it does not bother me that much. Flow is very good as well, especially at deeper depths.

 

[Masterspykiller]

Wife and I dove Titans last four dives. Just bought TWO Micras with free octos. Here are our experiences:

0. Titan felt large and heavy on my face. I frequently felt reg "hanging" and angled down. Not comfortable for me.
1. Had to exchange Micra 1 because bad seal when assembled and tested.
2. On beach dive Micra 2 and 3, regs free-flowed a few times. Probably user error as we are just getting used to them, not fine-tuned adjusted yet.
3. We both noticed lightness AND better field of view down with Micra.
4. We did not crawl out of surf, but what a PITA to clean Micra regs. The sand LOVES the little crevices where the adjustment knob turns. Spent more than 5 minutes getting sand out.
5. We rarely dive >50', so we can't comment on ease of breathing at depth, which some people have concerns about.

Our LDS offered to let us put a Titan instead of our octo next dive so we can switch between Micra and Titan on same dive. Probably June 27, we'll post results of newbie comparo then.