Can anyone comment on the Oceanic Delta 4/FDX10? Latest

[cerich]

OK, so I bought one of these a few weeks ago and took it on vacation to Sharm. The reg was OK and breathed reasonably, certainly better than the CDX-5 and GT I had previously been using, BUT there was a problem that I found on the second day. Basically the a-clamp just doesn't fit properly on DIN tanks with the insert for the clamp.
There seem to be 2 different issues at the moment, on DIN tanks the metal surround where the DIN fitting screws is wider then the clamp will not fit over it and on the tanks with the slightly narrower metal surround, the ring of metal that should close onto the the o-ring on the tank doesn't mate together very well. Effectively you get metal on metal and the seal is very fiddly to make. As these tanks are the ones that are usually used for nitrox, it meant that I had to get a different reg in odrer to continue diving. I guess that the DIN version of the reg wouldn't have this issue. When I got back home I returned the reg to the shop who gave me a full refund and told me that when they called oceanic to report the problem, oceanic said that they had been aware of this issue for a couple of weeks. Grrrrrrrrr :11:

When you think about it sounds like we (Oceanic) handled that right! Ask any dive store how often a vendor when hearing of an issue will make the comment "never heard of that or thats a new one". We will not. That is being honest and that directive comes direct from the President of the company in the form of policy. Also your dive shop isn't out because we offer 30 day satisfaction.

Having regs that don't fit on certain valves (200 bar din/yoke convertable in particular) is more common than you may think. I have personally owned Scubapro, aqualung, sherwood and now an Oceanic Delta 4 FDX10:huh: that have had this issue with certain valves. We are woking on this BTY. That being said it really is the fault of the valve maker, as the yoke is a well established standard for many years now. I teach tech and of the twenty some tanks I own all except 2 sets of doubles have 200 bar din/convertable yoke valves. Of those 4 have a valve that cause problems when used for yoke with 90% of the regs used, any brand.

As far as the Delta 4 compared to the Delta 3, I truly enjoy the breathing on the Delta 4 much more. The second stage design is very similar but the first stage (FDX10) has much higher performance than the CDX. For the average diver I would be surprised if they notice the difference or actually need the extra performance but the Delta 4 really delivers.

Someone made a comment on the plastic overmold and overhead enviornments, well I for one would much rather bang up or break the plastic overmold than scrape away the chrome on a first stage, much easier to fix and no long term corrosion issues.


Best,

Chris Richardson

 

[BrianV]

Well my LDS told me during my OW class that the CDX5 + Delta 3 was the dollar for dollar best reg out there. That means based on the cost it's the best choice.

I have one and my only complaint is that the weight of the second stage causes me jaw fatique. Although that's more my problem as it's not heavier than the average second stage anyways. I bought a Zeta + CDX5 to help alleviate that.

I really like the looks of the Delta4 and the new first stage has the dry technology where it won't corrode if it gets wet inside. However, a titanium 3 for that kind of money is hard to pass up; it's a lot lighter so it'd probably be a good choice for me. I'm actually preferring the servo based Zeta which is demand based rather than adjustment knob, but that's just my cup of tea. Everything I've heard about the Delta 3 has been great so maybe the titanium one is the way to go. You know it's a proven regulator as it's been out for a while. The 4 is new so it may have some bugs still.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

The dry technology does not prevent corrosion! If the reg gets wet inside it will corrode if left unserviced. What the dry valve technology does is prevent accidental introduction of moisture into the first stage. Such as would occur if the dust cap was inadvertently left off during rinsing or if dropped in the rinse tank. The spring on the DVT is a light one. Subject it to more than a few feet of water pressue(5 or more ft)or hit it with a hose and it will allow water in. It is still better than most others as at least it does keep water out under the conditions that would normally result in water being introduced to the interior of the first stage.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

The dry technology does not prevent corrosion! If the reg gets wet inside it will corrode if left unserviced. What the dry valve technology does is prevent accidental introduction of moisture into the first stage. Such as would occur if the dust cap was inadvertently left off during rinsing or if dropped in the rinse tank. The spring on the DVT is a light one. Subject it to more than a few feet of water pressue(5 or more ft)or hit it with a hose and it will allow water in. It is still better than most others as at least it does keep water out under the conditions that would normally result in water being introduced to the interior of the first stage.

FYI ... The 2006 AquaLung Legends (all 4 models) now also come with the dry valve type technology on the 1st stage. They call it ACD ... Auto Closure Device. Looks to be the same thing as Oceanic's DVT. Anybody have any idea whether theirs is the same, better or worse than Oceanic's technology? I'm surprised that I haven't read more about that technology here. It seems that it would be a very nice feature, but maybe I'm being nieve.

 

[SStrecker]

The Oceanic IV is a great regulator but it does need to be tuned properly, via the second stage controls, to prevent free-flowing, when entering the water.

 

[brianstclair]

I dive with the Delta 4 FDX10 and can find no fault. It delivers consistant through depth(30-40m). I'm thinking of getting another one when I convert to tech.

Any particular reason why?

Brian

 

[LindaBluedolphin]

I would be interested in knowing why as well? I really like my Delta IV it breathes great and the swivel is wonderful no problems with jaw fatigue. But it does tend to free flow slightly then stops and is fine.

 

[brianstclair]

Just realized that I probably misunderstood the original post... You mean you are going to get a SECOND Oceanic when you go to tech, right? Not a different brand.

Brian

 

[diveman7683]

I've been diving with the DELTA 3/DX4 for about four years now and find it one of the best cold water regs i've tried. Most of my diving is in 40 degree water and i've never had a freeflow and they a easy to rebuild too. Breathing at any depth is easy, no jaw fatigue. Very good reg in my opinion.

 

[Herman(SA)]

Yip, I mean get an extra Delta 4 FDX10 so I'll have 2 of the same.