Average diver seeks help with reg decisions!

[jenreynolds]

Hi all,

My first post here but I have been lurking. I am shopping for my final piece of equipment but I think it's one of the more important ones- the regs!

I was certified OWin 2003 but have only about 25 dives or so due to $$ factors. I am taking my AOW now and feeling pretty good about my diving overall. I'm diving in Vancouver, BC and hope to travel to Tropical locations one day but that is not happening anytime soon (especially with my dive gear spending!)

So I have some choices. I have done lots of research on the regs and it comes down to this:

My boss has an old USD Conshelf SEA that he says served him really well, but he has retired from diving. He will probably give it to me free or close to it, but obviously since it is older (he hasn't been diving for at least a decade now) I would need to have it serviced or at least inspected, and there would be a cost associated with that but I have no idea how much.

I have been looking at the Oceanic line of regs b/c a lot of my other stuff is from them, my LDS deals them and it can be serviced probably anywhere I might find myself. So they have a CDX5/GT# package with a 3 gauge console and octo for $699. I can get a Delta IV from another dive shop in town, on sale for $489 (remember these are CDN prices) but then I have to buy the SPG/compass ( don't need depth gauge, have a wrist mount comp) and octo, not sure how much those items would cost but probably another $300 at least... which puts this delta IV up to at least $789... breaking my bank cuz I don't really have that much and am not convinced I need the gimmicks the Delta IV offrs however nice it would be to have the swivel etc. There is also the Zeagle envoy package for $699, and I can go economy with the Alpha 8/SP5 and a 2 gauge console for about $585.

ALSO, I don't want to "upgrade in a couple of years". I want to make the right choice now to serve me well for my lifetime in diving. I plan to possibly pursue nitrox but not at this exact time. Vancouver water temps are usually around 46 F. And, if I go travelling, I dont want to be paranoid about guarding my reg because I paid a grand for it...

Okay... so I think I need a balanced diaphragm, so that makes the CDX5 1st stage desirable, the Conshelf Sea apparently has a balanced diaphragm, and the zeagle envoy. I am not convinced I need an adjustment knob or pre-dive/dive switch... but it could be cool to have. I am also not sure I need the DVT, because I feel confident that I will be careful with my hard-earned gear.

What do I do? Take the free one that is older and bigger (I get jaw fatigue pretty heavily) but hey, it's only the cost of servicing, but I do want to feel confident in my reg (after all it's life support, yadayada). Or buy the top of the line one that is on sale for a good price and pull out the old credit card... Or try to get my dive shop to put together a DVTless CDX5 package ... maybe even with an alpha 8 2nd/octo?

Tell me what to do!

Thanks sorry for being so long-winded, I don't know how to be brief.
Jen

 

[Hockeynut]

ZEAGLE!

ZX/DSV, can't go wrong.

 

[divinginn]

hard to beat free

 

[H2Andy]

here's the Zeagle Envoy for $310 (US)

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=ZeagleEnvoy

and the Envoy octo for $144

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=EnvoyOcto

($454 so far)

pressure gauge for $57

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=SCA110

(that's $511 so far)

and here's the Suunto SK7, the best compass in the market, for $65

http://www.leisurepro.com/prod/SQTSK7.html

(for a total of $576 US or $638 Canadian)

 

[haha49]

well i bought from

http://www.greatpacific.net/

check there specials they got some ok deals not as great as online but close i bought from them and i really like the gear..

i bought this but when i got it.. it was 100 cheaper because i got it on boxing day sale
i like this gear way more then the rental.. all i need to get now is a wetsuit and a tank some lead and i got everything i need to dive more..

Canadian Diver Package includes:
* Pro QD Plus BCD
* Titan LX Supreme Regulator System
* ABS Octopus
* Apex Quantum Dive Computer in Pivot Console
all for just $1595.00
​

 

[BSea]

Even though the conshelf is old, it's still a great reg, and parts are still available from any aqualung dealer. And probably most other dive shops. As said earlier, you can't beat free. Besides, if you really get into diving, there is no such thing as having only 1 reg.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The Conshelf SEA is a solid regulator and would make a good choice for a recreational reg. Internally it is virtually identical to the Titan and both internally and externally it is identical to the still produced Conshelf 14 with the exception of the LP port arrangements and sizes.

More importantly, the reg is still fully supported by Aqualung and uses pretty generic Conshelf parts that will be around for a long time.

With regard to jaw fatigue, the second stage is larger, but it is alos more bouyant in the water so the weight thing is a wash - contrary to what all the small second stage marketing pukes contend.

Jaw fatigue is much more likely to be caused by poor mouthpiece design and by an LP hose that is either too long or too short. Incorrect hose lenght puches or pulls on the secnd stage and rerquires you to bite down harder to keep it secure. And a poorly designed mouthpiece requires more jaw pressure to keeep the second stage secure as well.

I take the free or nearly free Conshelf SEA and then invest in a fresh annual service, a good mouthpiece and an LP hose of the proper lenght.

 

[paulwlee]

Yup, take the Conshelf SEA and get it serviced.
The Conshelf is a solid regulator, and will give you everything you need.

If you do decide to get a newer and more pricier regulator later on, you will have a better idea of what you want once you have accrued some more experience.

 

[jenreynolds]

Okay, you've all convinced me. I've asked my boss if I can have the reg- I'll see if he can dig it up this weekend. Has US Divers turned into Aqualung now? Does US Divers exist anymore? Can one put any old mouthpiece on these regs? Are they interchangeable?

 

[paulwlee]

Has US Divers turned into Aqualung now? Does US Divers exist anymore? Can one put any old mouthpiece on these regs? Are they interchangeable?

I think U.S. Divers was the US name for Aqualung.
U.S. Divers is now the brand for Aqualung's snorkeling equipment.

You can place almost any mouthpiece on a second stage.