Balanced vs. unbalanced - How is this related to Piston/diaphragm?

[ElectricZombie]

Neve - By advanced diving, I meant to depths is excess of 130'. At deeper depths the difference between a balanced and unbalanced would be more apparent due to the unbalanced regs inability to compensate. On shallow dives where you arn't working hard, you probably could not tell the difference between a balanced and unbalanced reg. Here in NC we sometimes get a pretty decent current, meaning that you will have to work a lot harder than usual. Based on that, I opted to go with a balanced 1st and 2nd stage: ScubaPro Mk25/S600. Next time I go diving, I'll take a Mk 2 (Unbalanced ScubaPro) with me to test out.

 

[ymy]

I currently use a Mares MR12 which is a diaphragm. However I have dived with pistons, both balanced and unbalanced and at least I find it really hard to tell the difference. Even at depth (100+fsw). I didn't buy it just because it was a diaphragm but because the package deal I got made it a good buy.

I took apart one (MR12, not mine but my buddy's) last weekend with my instructor and it was complex compared to a piston. Servicing and repairing was significantly more difficult.

Having said that, the CDX was one of the regs I was strongly considering but I couldn't find it in Malaysia.

Yes, we have the same playgrounds. I was at Perhentian a couple of weeks after you.