Are Zeagle regulators worth considering?

[andrethediver]

I am thinking about purchasing my first regulator within the next few month. Brand-wise, its seems most divers on this board seem to go with either Scubapro, Apeks/Aqualung or Oceanic brands (in the order of preference). I am a fairly new diver, planning to do at most 30 days of diving a year (size/weight are important considerations), at this point not planning to do any ice or cold water diving. Although I like to go with top of the line gear (so that I don't need to upgrade right away), I prefer not to pay more than I have to, so probably will be getting it online... Zeagle is running 30% off promotion through the end of this week - is that brand worth considering at all? Thanks.

 

[Slonda828]

Andre,

With few exceptions, any regulator that you will buy from any known brand will work for recreational diving. If you go to ScubaDiving.com | Scuba Diving Magazine you can look in the gear section and find the few (and I mean few) regulators that perform poorly at recreational depths. Zeagle is a great brand, and they do not make junk. They have great customer service, you can buy them online with a warranty, and right now they are 30% off. Who cares what most people dive? I have several regulators right now which I actually dive regularly that are from the 1960's. If you rinse it, and maintain it, pretty much any regulator will last until you are too old to dive it.

FWIW, I bought Zeagle's N2ition computer when the 30% off sale happened. At that price, it was cheaper to buy from Zeagle then Leisure Pro. I say check the ANSTI test results on the regulator from Zeagle that you like, then buy it if the results are positive.

I really must say that picking a regulator is pretty easy. Unless you plan on diving air to 190 feet or something crazy, pretty much any regulator will meet your needs. Find one that is not overpriced, and gets good test ratings. Regulator design has not changed greatly in the last 30 or so years. As a point of reference, the parts kit that I use to repair my 1975 conshelf regulator (Aqualung) is the same one that fits in the 2009 titan regulator (Aqualung).

It is also interesting to note that you cannot purchase factory authorized Aqualung or Scubapro products online (meaning you will get bent over on the price), but you can purchase Zeagle products with a full factory warranty right off the internet, for a substantial discount. I've used the Zeagle ZX series of regulators, and they worked great for me all the way down to 130 feet.

Having said all that, if you have your heart set on Aqualung or Scubapro, they are great regulators as well. I dive Aqualung, but that's mainly because I have a stockpile of repair parts for them, so when I need another regulator I can buy one off of Ebay for 30-40 bucks. I don't buy Scubapro because they are overpriced and hard to find online (though they breathe great).

 

[herman]

Andre,

With few exceptions, any regulator that you will buy from any known brand will work for recreational diving. If you go to ScubaDiving.com | Scuba Diving Magazine you can look in the gear section and find the few (and I mean few) regulators that perform poorly at recreational depths. Zeagle is a great brand, and they do not make junk. They have great customer service, you can buy them online with a warranty, and right now they are 30% off. Who cares what most people dive? I have several regulators right now which I actually dive regularly that are from the 1960's. If you rinse it, and maintain it, pretty much any regulator will last until you are too old to dive it.

FWIW, I bought Zeagle's N2ition computer when the 30% off sale happened. At that price, it was cheaper to buy from Zeagle then Leisure Pro. I say check the ANSTI test results on the regulator from Zeagle that you like, then buy it if the results are positive.

I really must say that picking a regulator is pretty easy. Unless you plan on diving air to 190 feet or something crazy, pretty much any regulator will meet your needs. Find one that is not overpriced, and gets good test ratings. Regulator design has not changed greatly in the last 30 or so years. As a point of reference, the parts kit that I use to repair my 1975 conshelf regulator (Aqualung) is the same one that fits in the 2009 titan regulator (Aqualung).

It is also interesting to note that you cannot purchase factory authorized Aqualung or Scubapro products online (meaning you will get bent over on the price), but you can purchase Zeagle products with a full factory warranty right off the internet, for a substantial discount.

I totally agree, although you are a little off old buddy, the parts also fit in a 1965 RAM double hose. Pretty much any mid range reg will suit 99% of all divers, there is just not much difference between them and any of them will last a life time if taken care of and parts remain available. If I would lean towards any brand it would be Aqualung, just because of the parts are so common.

 

[Slonda828]

I totally agree, although you are a little off old buddy, the parts also fit in a 1965 RAM double hose.

I know Herman, but I didn't want to confuse him with all our doublehose mumbo-jumbo. BTW I had a guy ask me if I was diving a rebreather again over the weekend.

 

[andrethediver]

I Pretty much any mid range reg will suit 99% of all divers, there is just not much difference between them and any of them will last a life time if taken care of and parts remain available.

I like the size of the Micron and the Titan also is a possibility...I would prefer a brand that can be serviced by many LDS (I have about 5 in my general vicinity, all selling different brands) and includes a lifetime warranty.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Zeagles are excellent regulators. I had the pleasure of recently rebuilding my first Zeagle reg, a Flathead VI that I picked up on ebay. They are very well-designed, well made, the parts are available freely (you can buy rebuild kits on the internet, no "secret handshakes" required), they are VERY simple to service.

As far as design and performance? Well... I've read & heard (but do not have "direct knowledge" ) that after losing the Apex contract, Zeagle designed and built their own regulators, based largely on the Apex design, but with improvements based on feedback from the field. The result, some say, is that now Zeagle is to Apex what Atomic is to Scubapro. In other words, a refinement of the original design and an outstanding product.

Best wishes.

 

[andrethediver]

Thanks a lot, great information. I assume you got your Flathead VI on the internet as you're doing your own rebuilds? It seems Scubatoys, LP and Scuba.com all discount Flathead 7 at the moment...

 

[elan]

I am thinking about purchasing my first regulator within the next few month. Brand-wise, its seems most divers on this board seem to go with either Scubapro, Apeks/Aqualung or Oceanic brands (in the order of preference). I am a fairly new diver, planning to do at most 30 days of diving a year (size/weight are important considerations), at this point not planning to do any ice or cold water diving. Although I like to go with top of the line gear (so that I don't need to upgrade right away), I prefer not to pay more than I have to, so probably will be getting it online... Zeagle is running 30% off promotion through the end of this week - is that brand worth considering at all? Thanks.

I would say yes. I've been with my Flathead VI through waters from 36F to 80F so far it works great.

 

[Sinbad the Diver]

I like the size of the Micron and the Titan also is a possibility...I would prefer a brand that can be serviced by many LDS (I have about 5 in my general vicinity, all selling different brands) and includes a lifetime warranty.

Keep in mind, any authorized service facility can do your service and maintenance. Many of the online retailers are brick and mortar dive shops that transact on-line as well. I use one of them and since I had bought my regs there I sent them there for service. Price was the same (including shipping) as the local shop I use and I had them back in 8 days (including shipping time both ways). Local shop estimates a 14 day turnaround. In reality it was easier for me, I shipped from my office and had it delivered at home so it saved me the 20 min each way drive to the shop.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Thanks a lot, great information. I assume you got your Flathead VI on the internet as you're doing your own rebuilds? It seems Scubatoys, LP and Scuba.com all discount Flathead 7 at the moment...

Yes. I found a great deal on a used Flathead VI on ebay. It was "well-used" and badly needed a rebuild. But the parts are cheap and easily available online, and servicing it was a breeze. My "old" ebay Flathead "cleaned up" great, breathes great, and is going to be my stage bottle / spare regulator now.

The Flathhead 7 looks really nice, and with the 30% discount should be a good deal for a great reg.

Best wishes.