Deep6 Signature vs Dive Rite XT1/XT4

[SuitableSkies]

I'm looking to get a doubles setup, and am mainly considering D6 Signature and Dive Rite XT1/XT4 regs. Both options seem nice and well regarded, and have service kits accessible. I've tried my friend's signature, but don't know anyone with Dive Rite regs.

Price wise, both options are around $1200, but I think Paragon runs a 20% off DR gear during black friday. So the DR regs would be about $250 cheaper.

Does anyone have thoughts on the quality of the regulators? What are the major design differences between them? Differences in quality of machining, etc? And in general, does anyone strongly feel the extra $250 expenditure for D6 is worth it or not worth it?

Thanks!

 

[NothingClever]

I own both brands and models of regs.

I think the D6G regs breathe better (smoother delivery) and are definitely drier when out of trim. That’s some seat-of-the-pants evaluation but it was crisply noticeable when I dived the D6G Sig regs the first time.

I like that I got to take a D6G service course, service my own regs and then go dive them the following day. That’s a type of confidence I’m accustomed to having in a wide variety of applications in my life and that I’m not willing to relinquish.

I also have confidence if I’m eight time zones away from the US’ Atlantic Coast (where D6G is located), I can reach D6G people directly to get help troubleshooting.

Other divers will claim the DRs are better and can probably quote technical specifications to underpin their assertions. That’s all perfectly respectable, normal and the spice of life.

I recommend diving both to see which kit you like better.

My DR XT regs are in the spares bin and I pure fleeted my ST and TS kits with D6G Sig regs. My deco regs are also D6G but the Excursion model.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I own both brands and models of regs.

I think the D6G regs breathe better (smoother delivery) and are definitely drier when out of trim. That’s some seat-of-the-pants evaluation but it was crisply noticeable when I dived the D6G Sig regs the first time.

I like that I got to take a D6G service course, service my own regs and then go dive them the following day. That’s a type of confidence I’m accustomed to having in a wide variety of applications in my life and that I’m not willing to relinquish.

I also have confidence if I’m eight time zones away from the US’ Atlantic Coast (where D6G is located), I can reach D6G people directly to get help troubleshooting.

Other divers will claim the DRs are better and can probably quote technical specifications to underpin their assertions. That’s all perfectly respectable, normal and the spice of life.

I recommend diving both to see which kit you like better.

My DR XT regs are in the spares bin and I pure fleeted my ST and TS kits with D6G Sig regs. My deco regs are also D6G but the Excursion model.

I agree with @NothingClever. I too own both. The Deep 6 Signature has become my favorite regulator. I also own several generations of Aqua Lung Legends and a DR XT1/4, The DR XT is a very good, bullet proof regulator but the D6S is an easier breathing, dryer reg.

 

[RyanT]

I love my deep6 regs. While I don't have the DR regs you're asking about, I do have a couple of their O2 deco regs. I think the DRs are fine, but something about the second stage build quality just seems "less refined," if that makes any sense. As O2 regs, the DR's don't breathe nearly as well as my Deep6, but that's probably to be expected, for an unbalanced first stage. I agree with @NothingClever regarding Deep6 customer service, they're amazing! I'm pretty close to moving my entire reg fleet to deep6.

 

[SuitableSkies]

Well, this seems like a pretty strong consensus. Thanks so much everyone!