Cold Weather vs "Normal"

[Jefe1014]

Hi all! Been lurking/learning for some time now (and a big thank you to everyone who contributes helping me and others new to diving learn invaluable info from this board), and haven't been able to find this question specifically addressed.

Is there an advantage to diving in "warm" water with a "warm" regulator rather than a "cold weather" reg? Or vice versa, is there a disadvantage to diving with a "cold weather" reg in warm water?

I am looking to purchase my first regulator set (Edge Epic II) and am wondering, even if my diving is primarily warm water, why not just get the cold weather set and cover both possibilities? Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Jorge.

 

[101recon]

I use a cold water reg (AL Glacia) for warm water diving.No disadvantages for me so far.
My main reason for buying it was a great deal.About 43% off MSRP.I wanted a very good reg and couldn't pass up that deal.

 

[Crush]

The only difference is that cold water regs are environmentally sealed to help prevent ice formation and resultant free-flow (which might occur in cold water). There may be a small advantage of reliability in the sealed units if you dive very dirty, particulate-filled water. To summarize:

warm water regs in warm water = good
cold water regs in warm water = good
warm water regs in cold water = not good
cold water regs in cold water = good

Many regs can be retro-fitted to be made environmentally sealed. The price difference between a warm water reg and a similar cold water reg is very small.

 

[j yaeger]

expense.....

 

[jaycanwk]

You can always dive a cold water regulator in warm water, but you can not dive a warm water regulator in cold water.

 

[a22shady]

If you plan on at any time doing cold water dives below 40F I would recomend getting a reg suitable for cold water. Or even if you going to be doing deeper dive below 80' in waters around 40~. The benefit of cold water regs is they can be dove anywhere. Diaphram 1st stage cold water regs are able to be dove in any condition (Warm/Cold/Conataminated etc..) Since they are completly sealed unless something happens so nothing enters ex. would be a Scubapro MK17. There is another type which is the piston 1st stages which seal the chamber by packing it with I believe tri-bolube or something similiar so that it acts as antifreeze and stops anything from entering ex is Atomic M1.

For me personally I prefer these types of reg's. But make sure you also get a second stage that can handle the cold waters. (MK17/G250V or Atomic M1) are two great examples of cold water regs they are lots of others but just dont specific (Apeks/HOGS) I know also make good cold water regs.

 

[Jefe1014]

Thank you all for the information and responses. That's been a great help!