Hi everyone,
I’m not new to scubaboard, but first time posting. I’d like to get your opinion on purchasing a new regulator, as I feel my LDS have bias opinions.
Background: I’m a recreational diver who dives about 15 - 20 times a year in 70+ deg F water, with max depth of around 80 - 90 feet. I’m looking to purchase a new regulator set, since I’ve been renting and I no longer want to share the same regulator with bunch of other people before me (I used to value convenience of rental, but covid19 changed my mindset). Most mid to high range regulator set (1st and 2nd stage primary) costs around USD $400 - 800. My local LDS charges $100 for service labor, with parts costing extra if I don’t have those lifetime warranty brands.
My thinking is:
Option 1 - Get a good regular set, such as Atomic Aquatics B2 ($750), Aqua Lung LEG3ND ($700), or Oceanic Delta 5 eDX ($510), and suck it up with the yearly service fee (or b-yearly for some brands like Atomic). Most of the mid to high end regulators are cold water ready, environmentally sealed, and come with balanced 1st and 2nd stage. Supposedly breathe better in deep water, but since I don't have a set, I can't compare it to rental.
Option 2 - Get a budget regulator set, such as Oceanic Alpha 10 + SPX ($200), Cressi XS2/AC2 ($200), Mares Rover 15X Regulator ($210), or Mares Prestige 2S Regulator ($185)
Most of the budget regulators have non-balanced piston 1st stage, have basic functions. They’re the ones you normally see at the dive shops for rental. I can practically buy a new set every 2 years, which nowadays is the normal service internal if I follow the proper cleaning procedures after every dive. Pretty much they’d be “disposable”, use it till it breaks or every 2 - 3 years.
Option 3 - Get a EDGE/HOG regulator and service myself with their service kits. However, my understanding is that you’d have to attend a mandatory training class in person. The class costs about $250. With the current pandemic, many shops/instructors are not offering that option right now, and even if they do, the nearest dive shop/instructor that offers that class is 8 hours away.
(Note - all the regulators I mentioned above are for references only, using current online prices, and not necessarily my pick list.)
I’m leaning toward option #2, as based on my current needs, there’s very little difference between a $200 regulator and a $700 regulator (I think), and I breathe fine with the rental regulator.
What do you guys think? I’d love to hear your opinions and your reasonings behind it.
