Best Regulators for beginner

[L13]

The only mistake you are likely to make is to spend too much.

Given that you live in Florida, Deep6 would be my choice.

 

[Angelo Farina]

I agree with this (except for the bit about buying from Europe or Australia. Buy local for support)

The nice thing of Scubapro is that it is serviced everywhere in the world, independent on where you did buy it...
Then, there are some good reasons for supporting your local shop. There are some other good reasons for buying online...
This was not the topic here, there are other threads where this dilemma is amply discussed.
My point is that for Scubapro US prices are really exaggerated.

 

[lexvil]

The nice thing of Scubapro is that it is serviced everywhere in the world, independent on where you did buy it...
Then, there are some good reasons for supporting your local shop. There are some other good reasons for buying online...
This was not the topic here, there are other threads where this dilemma is amply discussed.
My point is that for Scubapro US prices are really exaggerated.

Yes, local assistance is over rated in many cases, if someone can buy a MK 17 with G260’s and get them shipped for 1/2 the cost of the local shop (who will likely not be able to offer the MK 17 anyway) that is an excellent path to follow.

 

[Wibble]

(Mildly off topic...)

Would "the panel" recommend getting the DIN wheel with the regulator? As in buy the yoke version but with the DIN connector at the time of purchase?

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

My standard recommendation for beginners (or even experienced folk) is a Scubapro MK11 or Halcyon H50-D (same as SP MK17) paired with a C370 second. Around $500-600 USD and you won't outgrow it.

I would shammelessly cut the standard Scubapro mouthpiece off the C370 and immediately throw in the garbage. Replace with Apeks Comfo-bite mouthpeice (tried the standard SP mouthpiece on a G260 on most recent trip to Roatan and by the third day, it almost ended diving for that trip - saved by the XL4 spare I took. (Which may be a contender for my favorite small 2nd - the C370 is highly regarded and often paired with the MK11 in a combo package. But thinking about it, the Apeks XL4+ set (first gen) is now available for around the same price point... Would have no heartburn on using that. I bought into the SP MK11/MK17 platform and have close to a butt ton of service kits for them....)

Oh, that does not include an octo. I would probably go with something like an Edge Octo for purely occasional recreational diving.

Do as I say, not as I do.... I spent WAY too much on reg setups up front a couple years ago, listening to the local dibe store.

 

[L13]

(Mildly off topic...)

Would "the panel" recommend getting the DIN wheel with the regulator? As in buy the yoke version but with the DIN connector at the time of purchase?

New diver buying first reg? Buy what matches the tanks where you will first do your post OW training.

Next reg? Everyone is different. If you don't know which to buy you aren't ready to buy yet. I will probably only buy DIN from here on out.

 

[L13]

My standard recommendation for beginners (or even experienced folk) is a Scubapro MK11 or Halcyon H50-D (same as SP MK17) paired with a C370 second. Around $500-600 USD and you won't outgrow it.

I would shammelessly cut the standard Scubapro mouthpiece off the C370 and immediately throw in the garbage. Replace with Apeks Comfo-bite mouthpeice (tried the standard SP mouthpiece on a G260 on most recent trip to Roatan and by the third day, it almost ended diving for that trip - saved by the XL4 spare I took. (Which may be a contender for my favorite small 2nd - the C370 is highly regarded and often paired with the MK11 in a combo package. But thinking about it, the Apeks XL4+ set (first gen) is now available for around the same price point... Would have no heartburn on using that. I bought into the SP MK11/MK17 platform and have close to a butt ton of service kits for them....)

The Mk11/C370 is an awesome combo. I own a set.

But I like the the SP mouthpiece. I think everyone's mouth is different.

 

[Hoag]

(Mildly off topic...)

Would "the panel" recommend getting the DIN wheel with the regulator? As in buy the yoke version but with the DIN connector at the time of purchase?

I have never heard of a Yoke that can be adapted to a DIN, but I have heard of (and seen) DIN attachments that can be adapted to a Yoke.

Having said that, I think it depends a lot on where the OP intends to dive and the type of diving the OP plans to do. I have dove (recreational diving) in many locations throughout the Caribbean and Florida. I have also dove off of live aboards from Mexico (heading to Socorro) and in Fiji. I have never had to dive using a DIN connector. I have always found that (again, for recreational diving) a yoke was always OK.

Things might be different in other parts of the world, with more technical diving or if using HP tanks.

 

[lexvil]

(Mildly off topic...)

Would "the panel" recommend getting the DIN wheel with the regulator? As in buy the yoke version but with the DIN connector at the time of purchase?

That is what I always try to do, especially with scubapro since the Din parts are a bargain.

 

[Wibble]

Here in Europe we almost exclusively use the DIN connectors. Was doing my first ever dive trip to the Caribbean and needed a yoke connector on the Apeks DST. Discovered that the correct Apeks yoke part is much cheaper than buying an adapter.

Has been swapped back to a DIN and is being used as a drysuit inflator -- literally one minute to switch over.