Best reg to last many years

[h2odragon1]

Scuba Pro and Poseidon seem to continue factory support for many years. I have a Poseidon that was designed 50 yrs ago, (mine was built around 20 yrs ago) and I still have factory support for parts.

 

[newman_diver]

Apeks. Bulletproof, easy breathing regulators. Most use the same rebuild kits. Proven to extreme depths. If you buy from a shop I believe annual service is included.

Best combination in my opinion is the DS4 1st stage and TX50 second stage. You won't be disappointed.

Tyler

 

[Dive Junky]

Anyone of the 'Top 5 or 6's' middle price range ones will do fine......It doesn't take much..I'm still using as my pirimary rig my 1989 SP MK10 with G200 2nd stage---have had 3 different octos on it over the years(get tired of the way the old ones look).......

EDIT:---looks like you can get your top 5 or 6 right here(link)

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/275206-regulator-brand-poll.html

That polls no good, Poseidon is not on it.

 

[RonFrank]

I like Zeagle. The build quality is second to none, they are (or were) made in the USA, but they still do factory service here. They breath great, parts are easy to find, they are easy to service (not so for a LOT of regs out there), they are DIR approved , AND they are not all that expensive.

I have a 50D, my buddy just got a Flathead. The Flathead is rated a better breather, but damn if I can tell the difference! One needs a breathing machine to do so!

But here is the BIGGEST selling point BY FAR! Scott Zeagle plays in a Rock cover band! So you have to buy a Zeagle on that alone!

Seriously, DIR approved means they are easy/simple to repair even in the field, and they are well made. Honestly there are a lot of good regs on the market, but I like supporting US based companies. While Zeagle maybe outsourcing some of their stuff (like everyone) they are still a USA based company.

Atomics makes good stuff (also US based I THINK), but OUCH! That price tag HURTS!

 

[halocline]

Apeks....snip....If you buy from a shop I believe annual service is included.

Yeah, sure.

Parts are included under the warranty of most big-name regs. Of course, annual service parts cost the company a couple of dollars at the most, probably closer to a couple of cents. It's not that good a deal. You're still paying labor on annual servicing that almost certainly is not necessary.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I wouldn't own anything else (and I own 11 already):

Scubapro MK17 S600. Regulators Regulators, Scubastore.com, buy, offers, scuba

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I wouldn't own anything else (and I own 11 already):

Scubapro MK17 S600. Regulators Regulators, Scubastore.com, buy, offers, scuba

you didn't say if that $500 was for the first and second stage only or for an entire setup. Either way that link is for $360 so a simple Dive Rite 1.5" pressure gauge and your covered all at under $500 including shipping. If you need an octo too and want a wrist computer to go with all that $500 is a tight budget. Better define exactly what you are looking for in that price range.

 

[newman_diver]

Yeah, sure.

Parts are included under the warranty of most big-name regs. Of course, annual service parts cost the company a couple of dollars at the most, probably closer to a couple of cents. It's not that good a deal. You're still paying labor on annual servicing that almost certainly is not necessary.

True. Labour is the costly part of sevice. Service intervals should be more dependant on the amount of diving and the conditions rather than set time periods. Even without including the service aspect that most other manufacturers have, Apeks is still, in my opinion, a great regulator that would provide the OP many years of reliable, great breathing service.

 

[jesses]

i have a b2 for sale!!!

 

[Trimix2dive]

I have a pre-me set of cyklons (i'm 41) , and a old set of zeagle/apeks. both work fine.