I don't recommend regs by look. I go by performance and ease of getting service. I like Oceanic regs for a number of reasons- performance, ease of service and factory support. I have the Delta3, GT3, and an Alpha 7 with the DX4 first stage. The former have cdx5's. All are evironmentally sealed. I also have a sherwood blizzard, a brut, and an older aqualung/us diver's SEA2. I service all of them and as far as performance they all breathe about the same. The SEA is a backup backup and does not see much use other than pool every so often just to keep it in use. Non use is in some cases harder on them than diving them every weekend. The Oceanics are what I use on a regular basis. The Delta and GT are on my doubles. With the Delta on the primary and GT on a bungee. The alpha is my singles rig and is set up with an Oceanic swivel octo. It does have a console on it but that is just because it's also the reg I use in the pool with ow students and teaching them with the same set up they are using lessens confusion. Although by the second or third session I'm out of the jacket and into a BPW
and all OW dives for the last two classes I've been in doubles:14:. Gives them a first hand look at what they may run into when they dive.
The sherwoods are both great bullet proof regs. The brut for that reason is on my pony/stage setup. The blizzard is another back up set up as a conventional reg and also gets pool time as well as always being in the truck on dive weekends should someones reg screw up and they need to use another or for someone who forgot theirs.
Service wise a reg is a reg except for some of the less common set up around here. I've never got into a poseidon or actually worked on a scubapro. Been there when they were done but no personal experience.
My thing with the fdx10 is the enviroseal cap being on the top and subject to damage in an overhead environment. Should not happen but that it could is enough for me not to use it. Same with the DVT, it's another moving part that could be a point of failure and I choose not to use it. My doubles regs are DIN anyway and as soon as I get the kit I'm changing my Alpha over as well. I have a DIN to Yoke adapter and as soon as the two steel 72's I have with 1/2 inch necks are no longer usable all of my tanks will be DIN. That could be a long time as they are both from the 50's and both just passed hydro again. The other thing with DVT is I don't need it. I'm anal when it comes to my regs and rinsing etc. I'm also able to if water should get in the first stage to just tear it down, dry it out, and put it back together. I also don't let anyone touch my gear. Is there a chance I could slip up and dunk one with out the cap? Sure, I'm human. But the chance is not enough to make me spend the extra 100 bucks.
There are also some people who've had issues with transmitters for AI computers and hose routing being a pain with the way the ports are setup. Especially if you plan to use an spg along with the transmitter. My instructor for OW was unable to fully test an ATOM because he could not fit the transmitter on with all of the other hoses. Either on his FDX10 or his cdx5. Neither of us really care for wireless anyway but it would have been nice to use all the functions of the comp.
Jimmer already addressed the hose issue and again it's personal preference. I have my Delta on a seven footer and a swivel is a non isssue. I have never seen one fail and have friends who swear by them. I've used them and don't find enough of a benefit to have one on my regs.
thanks
