Cold water reg v. warm water reg

[tomgrogan]

I need some advice. I am planning on buying an Aqualung Legend Supreme LX ACD but I noticed that it is suggested to buy the Legend Supreme or Supreme LX if you dive in cold water (under 50 degrees). I primarily dive in Monterey & Santa Barbara where the temp can drop into the mid to high 40 degrees during the winter but otherwise is higher than 50. Is it wise or even necessary to get the cold water reg.

 

[adjuster-jd]

You really can't go wrong purchasing a cold water reg which will work just fine in warm water also. The cold water regs have some special features designed to lessen the likelihood of the reg freezing up. The Aqualung supreme series have an environmental seal on the first stage which keeps water out of direct contact with the first stage. They also have some heat sink fins on the second stage which draw heat from the surrounding water to transfer that heat to the second stage.
The cost difference is not all that much and gives you more of a safety margin.
Note that an environmentally sealed reg will not guarantee you won't have a free flow, but it can help lessen the chance.
Happy diving.

 

[spectrum]

If you work a warm water regulator hard in the mid 40s it is possivble to get it into trouble. Deep inland freshwater may be colder if you find yourself diving there.

You can't go wrong getting the cold water model, it's all good.

Pete

 

[tomgrogan]

Thanks for the answers. One of the reasons I was shying away from the Aqualung cold water reg is that it has a lip seal that testers said took some getting use to. Do you have any experience or opinion on that issue.

 

[Hallmac]

All I can say is take a close look at both side by side.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Thanks for the answers. One of the reasons I was shying away from the Aqualung cold water reg is that it has a lip seal that testers said took some getting use to. Do you have any experience or opinion on that issue.

I am not a fan of Aqualung's lip seal - but it is easy to just remove it and replace it with a regular moputhpiece.

 

[Gulper]

Yeah... the lipseal just pops off and you can throw it away if you want. I use this reg and like it. The cold-water "Supreme" version is only $20-$30 more. You can also get the non-supreme version and have them adjust it for cold water use (if needed) for about the same price. Other than that the two versions are pretty much the same.

 

[adjuster-jd]

The "Supreme" versions have an environmental seal which keeps water out of the first stage. You can't really adjust for that.
As for the mouthpiece - you can change out the mouthpiece if you want something different. I wouldnt let that be a deciding factor if you like the rest of the reg.

 

[tomgrogan]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate the advice!

 

[Gulper]

The "Supreme" versions have an environmental seal which keeps water out of the first stage. You can't really adjust for that.
As for the mouthpiece - you can change out the mouthpiece if you want something different. I wouldnt let that be a deciding factor if you like the rest of the reg.

Ya don't HAVE to adjust for it! Both regs come with the the SAME first stage!