buying reg for the 1st time...need advice

[dc_steph]

I finally have the money to buy my next piece of dive equipment...a regulator. what should i look for? what are the questions should i ask?
(I'm a recreational diver - about 40-50 dives a year.)

 

[divad]

I finally have the money to buy my next piece of dive equipment...a regulator. what should i look for?

A Zeagle.

 

[dc_steph]

any specific model?

 

[keyshunter]

If you live on Cyprus, you would probably be best served with a Scubapro, or Aqualung/Apeks reg.

 

[divad]

If you live on Cyprus, you would probably be best served with a Scubapro, or Aqualung/Apeks reg.

What he said. I didn't notice that you're in Cyprus.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

It always sort of stuns me when someone asks this question, and immediately people start popping up with suggestions.

Before you buy any piece of gear, you need to ask yourself, "what are my objectives with this gear?"

For example, with regulators: Are you planning to dive in cold or extreme cold conditions? Then you will want one that is environmentally sealed. But evironmental seals are more expensive so if you don't need it, don't get it.

Are you planning to travel a lot with this reg? If yes, then consider an Aqua Lung Mikron, very small and light but still a terrific regulator. If you are not planning to travel, then something different maybe in order.

Do you get cold easily? There are regs that breath a bit warmer than others.

Do you plan to purchase your own tanks, and if so, DIN or Yoke? I prefer DIN because you can easily attach a Yoke adaptor and they are more stable (in my opinion).

Is price an issue or have you saved a lot of money? What brands does your local shop carry? That affects servicing.

See what I mean?

So, what kind of diving do you plan to do with your new regs?

 

[RStyle]

I agree with Jeff Toorish.
In addition, if you are traveling, how easy is it to service the regulator.

The example applies but not the brands since this happened many years back (at least 12) and things may have changed
I was in the South Pacific and had a Scubapro reg that failed. The person in the dive boat said "it is too bad it is not a Sherwood because they are simple and easy to clean or repair and it can be dione anywhere............but no one will be able to fix this Scubapro around here"

 

[dc_steph]

Are you planning to travel a lot with this reg? If yes, then consider an Aqua Lung Mikron, very small and light but still a terrific regulator. If you are not planning to travel, then something different maybe in order.

I live in Cyprus for the moment but do most of my diving in the Red Sea or Caribbean, but want to dive other places also like Maldives, Thailand, Pacific Islands. I only dive warm water.

Do you get cold easily? There are regs that breath a bit warmer than others.

No, I don't get cold that easily but I always bundle up on my dives

Do you plan to purchase your own tanks, and if so, DIN or Yoke? I prefer DIN because you can easily attach a Yoke adaptor and they are more stable (in my opinion).

I will not be buying my own tanks given that I travel so much. I eventually will be moving back to the States at some point in time.

Is price an issue or have you saved a lot of money? What brands does your local shop carry? That affects servicing

I'm not going to go cheap on a reg since it is the most important piece of equipment. I do not have a local shop in Cyprus even if I did they are outrageously expensive. I'd like to buy over the internet but know that there may be some issues with the Manufacturer Warranty. I will want to keep the Man. Warranty.

How can I find out about servicing costs?

Thanks!

 

[muddiver]

Most manufacturer warranties are good for one year, with the exception that some offer a "free parts for life" if maintanenced per their requirements. So the warranty should not be a reason for which regulator you purchase. Availability of parts and what brand your local dive store will service is more important. Example: a Scubapro technician will not service Sherwood regulators and vis versa, and as stated above Apeks and Scubapro are much more common outside the United States.

 

[piikki]

Do you plan to purchase your own tanks, and if so, DIN or Yoke? I prefer DIN because you can easily attach a Yoke adaptor and they are more stable (in my opinion).

This is not an issue for European. It will be DIN. Do not even entertain the idea of hunting for yoke just because you will be moving to US at some point.