Deco Regs

[SparticleBrane]

From what I understand, there is a slight bit of "tweaking" that DiveRite does to their regs before they go to market, vs the Salvo. Just FYI...

 

[nadwidny]

I suggest using a low performance simple, reliable reg. You don't need to breath alot of gas when doing deco you just need to be sure it will work and not freeflow. Xtream would be a better choice for a primary reg. I use apexs and aqualung conshelf regs

Using low performance for deco makes no sense. I typically spend 3/4s of my dive on deco regs so going to a low performance for the portion of my dive that takes the longest is just dumb. I use the same regs for deco as I do for backgas; Apeks 1sts and Apeks or S'pro 2nds.

 

[wedivebc]

Using low performance for deco makes no sense. I typically spend 3/4s of my dive on deco regs so going to a low performance for the portion of my dive that takes the longest is just dumb. I use the same regs for deco as I do for backgas; Apeks 1sts and Apeks or S'pro 2nds.

Maybe low performance is relative. I don't see the advantage of using a poseidon Xtream as a deco reg as the OP suggested when your lowest WOB is in shallower water and your RMV is probably at its lowest. I use good quality regs in all my dive applications I just prefer reliability to high flow for deco.

 

[nadwidny]

Maybe low performance is relative. I don't see the advantage of using a poseidon Xtream as a deco reg as the OP suggested when your lowest WOB is in shallower water and your RMV is probably at its lowest. I use good quality regs in all my dive applications I just prefer reliability to high flow for deco.

Personally I never see any advantage of a POSeidon reg, period. There is a reason that POSeidon begins with "P.O.S.". People like me that owned them know of what I speak. POSeidon is relying on a reputation they built up with deep air divers in the 80's and 90's but now that knowledgeable divers know better, POSeidons offerings over the past couple of years are archaic.

Anyhooo...My choice in regs never compromises high flow for reliability. Apeks 1sts and Apeks or S'Pro 2nds for everything. Good quality, and good performance. I really don't see any reason to use crappy regs for the most crucial and longest part of the dive;which is the ascent (ie: deco). Anyone that thinks that low performing regs are OK for deco has never dove outside their happy little bubble. I have, therefore I use good quality regs for everything. I've had too many things happen during deco to recommend otherwise.

 

[karstdvr]

I borrowed a Dive Rite RG 1208 on my last dive trip and was impressed with it's easy breathing and swivel turret, which I think is desirable on a deco reg. All the guys on this trip were diving with Apeks on their backgas and Dive Rites on their deco bottles. I'm impressed and plan to buy one for myself. The 1st stage DIN is only $200 at Dive Rite Express.

It is a great regulator,but I am not a fan of using a diaphragm regulator on 100% O2. A piston you can O2 clean,and is not a fuel source.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I agree a simple piston design is better suited to high O2 mixes. A diaphragm first stage has that really large diaphgram as opposed to a couple o-rings.

Personally, I like the ultra simple "flow by" unbalanced piston design for deco use. Due to the nature of the design, there is no high pressure air past the high pressure seat meaning virtually all the interior of the regulator is at a pressure only 120 to 140 psi over ambient pressure including both dynamic o-rings. In contrast in a balanced piston reg, a substantial portion of the first stage's interior is exposed to air at tank pressure including one of the dynamic o-rings. Regs in the unbalanced "flow by" category include the Scubapro Mk 3, MK 2, Mk 200, and Mk 2 Plus.

I use Mk 3's and Mk 200's with Balanced Adjustable second stages and it makes a great combination. The first stage offers more than enough performance for 70 ft stops (where I switch to 50%) while the balanced and adjustable second stage provides a very low inhalation effort. The exception to this is when the deco tank pressure falls below about 300 psi, where the inhalation effort noticeably increases. This provides you with a low gas warning system independent of any SPG. In fact with this setup, I will use only a small button spg.

In short they are simple, extremely reliable and very O2 freindly.

 

[amascuba]

From what I understand, there is a slight bit of "tweaking" that DiveRite does to their regs before they go to market, vs the Salvo. Just FYI...

Do you know what they do? I use a salvo first stage as my primary regulator on my doubles and find that it breaths just fine. I would compare the breathing quality to any of the oceanic or scubapro regulators that I've used.

 

[amascuba]

It is a great regulator,but I am not a fan of using a diaphragm regulator on 100% O2. A piston you can O2 clean,and is not a fuel source.

So why don't you offer a piston regulator as well then?

 

[TheRedHead]

It is a great regulator,but I am not a fan of using a diaphragm regulator on 100% O2. A piston you can O2 clean,and is not a fuel source.

Are you saying that you cannot O2 clean a diaphragm? I used the Dive Rite with 50% which technically requires an O2 cleaned reg.

 

[cerich]

Do you know what they do? I use a salvo first stage as my primary regulator on my doubles and find that it breaths just fine. I would compare the breathing quality to any of the oceanic or scubapro regulators that I've used.

Salvo is a good reg, I was short a reg one day in cave country and picked one up(don't let my wife know, I had at least 40 more regs at home...) anyway, all of the current Oceanics regs have a lower work of breathing.