Beginner looking for some reg advice

[dmbelina]

Are there any first stage and second stage you'd recommend for a beginner recreational diver? Something I could use Nitrox with, too.

Have several months to decide, as my first trip is not till January of 2003 (Bonaire!). I think I will be getting a dive computer (still unsure if it will be AI or not, but this is a topic for another discussion ) and a ScubaPro Air 2 for a secondary air source.

Would like to spend $500 tops on 1st and 2nd stage, or is that pushing it for being to low?

 

[jonnythan]

Please don't get an Air2. It causes more problems than it solves. Get a real octo.

Imagine being at 90 feet in Bonaire, and your buddy has an OOA. you hand him your main reg, find your Air2 (after accidentally using your snorkel because they feel the same and in the same place), and start breathing from it. Now you need to ascend. So you start going up.... how do you vent air from your BC? Do you take it out of your mouth for the pull dump? Do you take it out of your mouth, and hold it up? Are you *certain* you want your only backup air device to be connected by a quick disconnect? I've seen those come undone at depth several times...

Just get a regular octo, they're not expensive.

IMO, and in the opinion of what appears to be the vast majority of this board, you can't go wrong with Apeks or Scubapro.

$500 is certainly not too much for a reg + octo. For $358, you can buy the Apeks ATX50 with an ATX40 octo from DiveInn. I just bought the TX40 from themfor a bit less money and it's.. well, stellar. The ATX-100 is is less than $400 there. Their service was impeccable and I recieved the order 2 business days after I placed it (Spain to upstate NY!).

BTW, I strongly suggest that you think about a long hose/bungeed backup option. It's really the ultimate in ease and flexibility. Your OOA buddy will always be assured a working regulator, you'll always have your backup 3 inches from your lips (and it will stay out of whatever muck may happen to be under you), and you get a nice comfortable 5 feet of hose to offer your buddy, instead of having to stay a foot away and risk ripping the octo out of their mouth by simply turning.

 

[jonnythan]

BTW, you only live about an hour south of me.

I'd be happy to go diving with you sometime, if you're looking for a buddy

 

[raxafarian]

The best deal on decent regs has to be the apeks at DiveInn.

www.diveinn.com

If you're thinking of ever diving cold water, get an environmentally sealed 1st stage. The apeks atx50 with ds4 1st (or dst 1st) with an atx40 octo would suit you for many years to come for recreational diving. Even an atx40 for both primary and secondary would be good...

I too, just got a tx40 (older model) from diveinn, and was impressed with the quick service... You might have trouble with warranty work if you took it to a LDS, but diveinn warranties everything they sell.


Ok... just read my own post, and I sound like a commercial. I'm not saying buy from diveinn.... you can check simplyscuba in the UK... or check your LDS, and find the best deal that you can.

 

[GP]

Yeah...I'll admit, the "Buy Apeks" thing does get a little old to read but it's totally valid though. They are hard regs to beat for the money, excellent reputation, I've been happy with mine.

 

[chris_b]

raxafarian once bubbled...
The best deal on decent regs has to be the apeks at DiveInn.

DiveInn is finally running out of the TX generation regulators, so they really lowered prices on some of them. I just last week got a TX40 w/DS4 1st for $160 shipped to my door in three days. They may still have some deals floating around.

 

[DiveTub]

jonnythan once bubbled...
Please don't get an Air2. It causes more problems than it solves. Get a real octo.

Thats Crap.
Use the other dump on your BCD to vent air.
Give your OOA Buddy at top reg not a dodgy Octo
Air 2 breaths great at 140Ft
You cant miskake it for your Snorkel. Just follow the hose to your Air2
Get rid of a hose reduce drag and less to service every year.

I have three ScubaPro Air2's and and they are fantastic.

For receational Diving nothing beats them, you get rid of a hose and a crappy Octo at the same time!!

My Air2's have been to 140Ft and breath fine.

Than add your AI Computer when you are ready and you only have two hoses from your firststage.

Dont get caught up in the Apeks vs everyting debate. I have a few sets of ScubaPro and Mares Regs. they are perfect for Nitrox, recreational and Deep Diving

Extra Hoses = more drag, more to service and more to go wrong.

Chris
PADI MSDT
http://homepage.mac.com/sydney_diver

 

[Uncle Pug]

He already gave an explanation in scenario form of why he thinks the way he does... not that everyone would accept it...

Some folks think the HUB is a great idea...

 

[raxafarian]

Sydney_Diver once bubbled...



Give your OOA Buddy at top reg not a dodgy Octo

a dodgy octo??? you're kidding, right? I'm giving them the reg that's in my mouth and switching to my backup. BUT, even if I wasn't using that setup, I'd be giving them a 'good' octo... not a crappy octo. If you're buddying with somebody that has a piece of crap octo, then you should rectify that problem.

I don't understand how you can call an octo 'dodgy'

My wife bought into the "get rid of a hose" syndrom... now she realizes (or at least she is starting too) how hard it would be to breath off her "air2" while ascending. If your hoses are routed properly... there is no excess drag.

One less hose to "service" ? ok, I guess so.

 

[raxafarian]

Uncle Pug once bubbled...


Some folks think the HUB is a great idea...