Best cold water regulator for rec diving.

[Katz]

As a continuation to my previous thread and summarizing all of your valuable responses, I narrowed my choices to these regulators. It will be used in a cold water conditions (36-37F) as well as warm water when on vacations. Recreational diving only. I intentionally don't put Apeks ATX50 here, because I know it will win. I'm still considering Apeks, if I will be able to find a decent price on it. I invite you to vote. Your input is very important to me. Let's determine the second best choice to Apeks!

 

[d33ps1x]

I like Aqualung.

 

[Warren_L]

Well, you were right - I would have voted for the apeks atx50, which is one of the ones I have, and specifically for cold water. I have heard good things about the Mares Abyss, which I was considering before I bought my first reg, which was the SP MK25/S600.

 

[ScubaScott]

and looking for the next best? I've dove two others on your list...

Odin/Jetstream - excellent reg, never had a problem until a freeflow from freeze up (the 1st can be sealed, but this one wasn't). In all fairness, I believe any non-sealed reg would have froze. Other than that, it gives plenty of air, no matter your depth. A little big for my liking....

Sherwood Blizzard does not get enough recognition as a solid coldwater reg, perhaps its the marketing/advertising or whatever. For the price its pretty hard to beat, will perform in freezing temps with the most expensive, high end regs out there, and outperform many of them.....

My vote is still for the Apeks or Zeagles though.....

SS

 

[jonnythan]

First things first:

http://www.scubastore.com/producte.asp?id=381&id_modelo=3637&desde=0
That's an ATX40 with a DS4 first stage for $272

http://www.scubastore.com/producte.asp?id=37&id_modelo=3666&desde=0
This is an ATX50 second stage for $153

That gives you an ATX50 + ATX40 + DS4 for $425. They ship DHL, at surprisingly low rates, which generally gets things to your door from Spain in 3 or 4 days (!)

So anyway, my only other comment would be to try out a Poseidon regulator before you plonk down the money for one.

 

[rescuediver009]

Just taking a look at the three I am familiar with, I don't know how you can put them all in a comparison together. They are all dofferent types of regs and I don't know how they can be voted on.

The Poseidon is like ScubaScott said and breathes awesome no matter what depth. They are good regs. Expensive, but good. They breathe like no other reg you will ever try. Their boast is that it requires next to zero effort to maintain the flow of air. I liked it when I tried the new Xstream Deep, which i assume is similar. I don't know why you would use it for shallower recreational diving though...

The Aqualung is from what i hear a good reg too. The parts on service may kill you, but it is different from the other in the sense of venturi assisted and diver adjustable. Very similar to the ATX200

Lastly, the Blizzard is an awesome reg also. I had one for a couple of years and again agreeing with ScubaScott I would say that they do not get very much recognition. They breathe very well and I have recommended it before as a great cold water diving regulator. The bleeder valve definitely helps keeping it clean. But it is not adjustable like the Aqualung or performer for the depths like the Poseidon.

 

[Katz]

rescuediver,
I'm just trying to compare cold water regulators. BTW, my deepest dive was 55 meters (180 ft), but usually I dive no deeper than 35 meters.

 

[detroit diver]

I can't vote. I use the Apeks regs and are VERY happy with them. We dive 38-42 degrees in the local quarries with no issues (the regs are well serviced).

 

[raposarose]

You can also consider the mk18 (if you can find one). It is like the mk16, but a little better in my opinion. An extra hp port and a swivel. I know that not everyone likes the swivel though, but I have had no problems and I find it to be a nice feature...

I would get the g250 over the s550. The adjustability is a nice feature and I have heard that they breathe a little smoother because of the less peaked diaphragm in the larger case.

Fox

 

[rescuediver009]

Ok I realize that you are diving in the deeper depths so I would think that you would scrap the blizzard and probably the Scubapro. If finance is not a problem I would recommend the Poseidon Xstream Deep. Otherwise go for the Aqualung/Apeks. I wouldn't touch the poseidon without test diving it first though.