Best cold water regulators?

[do it easy]

Some people see the sealed first stage as an advantage or necessity for cold water. I think they are mostly unnecessary, so I don't have the cold water kit on any of my Abyss regs. I think where it becomes more important is when you are jumping in and out diving in below freezing AIR temperatures, since it will prevent spring freeze ups at the surface. It might also come into play with piston regs, but I have never used one of those. Diaphragm regs are essentially sealed, except for the main spring.

 

[Web Monkey]

How do Atomics (e.g., Z2) do in cold water?

The M1 is freeze-proof right out of th ebox. Water never touches the inside of the first stage, so there's nothing to freeze. The Z1/Z2 has an option for this that involves the dealer replaceing a rubber sleeve and packing it in Christolube (like the M1).

Never had a freeze, even in water very close to 32 degrees.

Terry

 

[JohnW]

I'm surprised that no one has weighed in on APEKS (ATX 500, 100,200), with its sealed first stage. From what I have read, it performs very well and is virtually freeze-proof.

I use a pair of ATX50/DS4's and have had no Problems. I have only had them down to 35 Degrees so far.

Before I got these I saw many divers using them under ice with no problems.

 

[Zak OHara]

Some people see the sealed first stage as an advantage or necessity for cold water. I think they are mostly unnecessary, so I don't have the cold water kit on any of my Abyss regs. I think where it becomes more important is when you are jumping in and out diving in below freezing AIR temperatures, since it will prevent spring freeze ups at the surface. It might also come into play with piston regs, but I have never used one of those. Diaphragm regs are essentially sealed, except for the main spring.

This is exactly correct. Although I if you are in a remote area in extreme cold conditions I think the kit is worth it.

Also what makes a good cold water reg is an all metal second stage, like the abyss and metal proton series regulators. Metal is a better thermal conductor than plastic or polymer, hence it will retain heat from your breath and also help conduct warmth from the water keeping the demand lever and exposed parts from freezing. Keep in mind the coldest part of a 2nd stage is where the air expands just past the lp seat and on the working parts.

I also agree technique is critical to minimize the chance of freezing as well.

 

[Ber Rabbit]

This is exactly correct. Although I if you are in a remote area in extreme cold conditions I think the kit is worth it.

Ages ago when my husband got certified they didn't have sealed regs for cold conditions. He said they would stop at a pharmacy on the way to the site and buy a case of condoms to fill with whiskey(?) and somehow used that as an "environmental seal." He says it looked ridiculous but it worked. He also said one of the clerks at the pharmacy told the instructor, "I don't know where you're going but I want to go too!"
Ber :lilbunny:

 

[Zak OHara]

Thank goodness we don't waste our whiskey today. Whiskey is for warming up after the dive. PHEW....

 

[spectrum]

I have been told that the sherwood blizzard is the best cold water reg.
Some say the scubapro Mk 17 is almost unfreezable, Which would be the best over all.
Or is there Somthing better?
I want somthing that will breathe well in ice cold conditions as well as tropics.

The Blizzard is well suited as the name would suggest. Sherwoods in general are highly reliable and the Blizzard has some added features that make it a great cold water regulator. They seem to be very common with the public safety divers around here.

My wife and I dive Blizzards. Last winter was a mild on up here the coldest water I found was 37F and it performed withoiut incident. This winter I hope to take it under the ice.

The regulator breates just fine in the recreationa depths.

Pete

 

[SDAnderson]

...technofluoropolymer coated 2nd stage create a regulator that virtually eliminates the possiblity of freezing up.

Any concerns about this coating being dipped in normal shop cleaning solutions in the ultrasound?

 

[Dive1Dennis]

The Sherwoods are solid cold water regs as others have noted. They are very common here. I dive a Maximus and have never had it freeze. We had several of them under the ice last winter without incident.

 

[halocline]

Also what makes a good cold water reg is an all metal second stage, like the abyss and metal proton series regulators. Metal is a better thermal conductor than plastic or polymer, hence it will retain heat from your breath and also help conduct warmth from the water keeping the demand lever and exposed parts from freezing.

With this in mind, why does the reg you recommended earlier in this thread not have a metal second stage?