Beginner looking for some reg advice

[DiveTub]

raxafarian once bubbled...


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'

What I mean by this is name one person that has a better or equilavent Octo to their Primary Reg. In most cases from what I observe the Octo is almost always a poor performance Second stage equal to breathing off an Air2 anyway

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.

I have had done a few hundred accents with AIR2's in teaching classes down to 100ft, and can say that I have never had a problem assending using them.

Chris

 

[wch]

I like the Scubapros.

The Air2 works fine as Sydney Diver said for recreational purposes. I have one, it works as advertized, it is no problem to use. You will be used to grabbing it to inflate your BC so it will be second nature to grab it. You can use a shoulder dump if your BC has one, mine does.

But... I see myself wanting to expand in the future, so I will end up buying another octo in the future. There is no reason for your octo to be crappy unless you are really cheap. An SP R190 will set you back less than $100.00.

So don't get the Air2 if you plan on doing any kind of technical diving in the future.

Thumbs up for DiveInn wether you are looking at Apex or SP.

 

[raviepoo]

The other dump on my BC is at the bottom of the bladder. It doesn't vent when I am in an upright position, as I am when I ascend.

Sydney_Diver once bubbled...


Use the other dump on your BCD to vent air.

 

[wch]

Uncle Pug once bubbled...
Some folks think the HUB is a great idea...

Not to get off the thread, but I posted in another one about watching Shark Week. Nigel, the host, was using a HUB and he aways had his console dangling

 

[Uncle Pug]

Smooooth.... Sleeeeek.... Streamlined....Ooooooohhhhh

dangle dangle dangle drag drag drag whap whap whap

too funny!

~~~~~~~~~~~


BTW my donated safe second is in everyway as good as the one I breath during the dive.

My backup ain't bad either.

 

[DiveTub]

raviepoo once bubbled...
The other dump on my BC is at the bottom of the bladder. It doesn't vent when I am in an upright position, as I am when I ascend.

You will find almost all Jacket Style BCD's now on the market have three dump vales, one on each shoulder and one on the right hip.

I agree that a BCD without a dump valve on each shoulder does not work well with an Air2.

 

[Rick Murchison]

dmbelina once bubbled...
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?

I will go against the flow of Apeks salesmen here. Unless your local dive shop carries them, when you do have a problem you'll be looking at days to weeks for repair rather than hours. This could change in the near future as US Divers has bought Apeks and their regs should be showing up in more shops.
In the first place, any modern regulator from any of the major manufacturers is just fine for recreational diving. They are all reliable, easy to breathe, and sturdy. One of the key considerations for the traveling diver is being able to get the regulator fixed just about anywhere - and for this, US Divers and ScubaPro top the heap. I am partial to US Divers, as I have used 'em for over 30 years, own seven (1 Conshelf, 1 Titan, 3 Micra/SEA's and 2 Legends) and have never had a lick of trouble out of any of them. The Conshelf is 31 years old. As a specific recommendation, for recreational diving I believe the most regulator for the dollar, in a regulator that just about any shop in the world can work on, is the US Divers' Titan. It is the modern rendition of the old, proven Conshelf design and is virtually bulletproof.
As for the Air-2, the poster who worries about venting the BC when using one just doesn't know how to use one. Both the power inflator and dump valves continue to work just fine, and independently of the regulator, while you're breathing it. So don't let that little piece of misinformation dissuade you. The Air-2 also breathes just fine at all recreational depths. It does restrict your head movement to the right a little, but not enough to be more than a minor irritant. The chief disadvantage to the Air2 in my opinion is it does put the OOA diver on a shorter hose (unless you opt for the seven foot hose primary option) than a standard octopus.
I highly, highly recommend you get your regulator at a shop that can work on it.
Rick

 

[ckharlan66]

There are many good regs on the market, Apex being one of them. Try some different ones through renting and/or borrowing. Find one you like the size of, the way it breaths and the features. It is never a bad idea to get one that you can get serviced locally to minimize down time.

With the liability involved with selling this type of equipment the manufactures can't afford to make a bad product. Some are better at different enviroments such as sealed first stages of cold water, but in the end for recreational diving dive what you like and dive safe.

Good luck in your search.

Chad

 

[raxafarian]

Rick Murchison once bubbled...

I will go against the flow of Apeks salesmen here. Unless your local dive shop carries them, when you do have a problem you'll be looking at days to weeks for repair rather than hours. This could change in the near future as US Divers has bought Apeks and their regs should be showing up in more shops.

Yes... any decent reg from a mainstream manufacturer will be sufficient. Apeks is distributed by aqualung... not us. divers. Aqualung's new reg's are 'borrowing' some apeks features (especially in the first stage).

I'm just voicing my opinion based on my limited experience. I purchased my first reg based on LDS recommendations... a Mares Axis. Was it sufficient.... yes. Will it work fine during recreation diving.... yes. Did it breath better than the rental regs we had in class... yes. Am I happy with it 1 year/50 dives later... No.
I won't recommend a Mares reg to anyone. The only other 2 I'm familiar with are zeagle and apeks, and I'd recommend either.


I've found myself in the same situation with scuba equipment as I've found in the past with stereo equip., camera equip, etc. Buy equipment to "get started" based on cost. End up unhappy and start replacing equipment as I figure out what I really want ...

I'm glad I found this board and utilized all the different opinions, along with other research, to sell my 'basic' kit purchased last year, and purchase all new gear that will last me for years to come, and will continue to be of use as I get into different types of diving.

As Rick said, go with a reg that your local shop can service. Use this board as just one tool during your research.

Ken

 

[Rick Murchison]

raxafarian once bubbled...
Apeks is distributed by aqualung... not us. divers.

I wish those guys would make up their mind. They started out as Aqualung, changed to US Divers (which I'm finally gettin' used to) and now you tell me they're Aqualung again.
Sheeesh!
Rick