Final decision for my reg?

[tina.canada]

I am an experienced diver but am venturing out for the first time after hundreds of dives to purchase my own regs. I have friends that swear by piston and same with diaphrams...and push both ways. I have always used piston myself. i've done a fair bit of research and obviously there is good feedback on most regs. MK25 S600, (G250V...maybe a little heavy) Carbon 42/Abyss no nitrox so out, Oceanic eos not good international warrenty but good reviews...I dont do too much cold water but it can't be outta question...wreaks/cav/caves a must. Plus a lightweight 2nd for little me. Any advice or do I have to in the end go with whichever makes my heart go pitter patter? thx so much. T

 

[Wayward Son]

if you want heavy, get an old R109

My G250V is a featherweight compared to my R109. the metal air barrel does a good job of not drying me out during a dive the way an all plastic 2nd will.

 

[damage]

I have a MK25 with S600 and R190, I've been using it with nitrox in caves and wrecks, never let me down.

The R190 is very heavy, perhaps you can change it for something lighter.

 

[Davidstealey3]

as far as i know you can use the carbon42/abyss for nitrox. i am preety sure there is no titanum parts that will make it incompatiable.

asking this question to the general mass you will get the reg they use and none other. they will be good choices, but more then likely a bias opinion.

there are many good regs out there to be used. some old and some new. look at the kind of diving you will be doing, the water temps at which they will be done, and ease of service on the brand you choose. then you will be able to research that brand a little better and make a decision then.

i wouldnt just go with i bought this brand because that was the consenus of the people that responded to my scubaboard post told me to get. today it could be scubapro, tomorrow apex, the following day dive rite, then the end of the week atomic.

and a lot of the stuff you look at might be sold by a different company as the same reg. oceanic also owns aeris. old apex reg and zeagle regs are the same. new dacor and mares are the same. same regs, different names. then you have the regs that are made in the same factory for different manufactors. it is all a marketing game.

if you have done some homework like you said, go look at the dive shops that you would have your service done at, ask the people if they have any experience with that shop and the service they do, and then decide what to get.

hope this helps you some

 

[Kunundrum]

For best Warranty I would stick with Aqualung/Apeks or Scubapro.

The Apeks Flight is a nice Light Reg if you travel and good for water above 10deg C

the XTX Series from Apeks the 50 up to the 200 is also a good choice little heavier but nice and rugged for all environments

I like the New Titan LX Supreme ACD it's a great reg and multipurpose. easy to service anywhere in the world, the ACD feature I find a little better than the Oceanic one and comes in handy if you ever drop you reg in the water/sand to prevent contamination.

Aqualung Canada currently has a "trade in event" where they will take any serviceable reg in on trade and you can pickup this reg for 399.99 if you trade one in, go see your local Aqualung dealer for more information (the Trade in is also offered on the Legend LX Supreme too though I don't remember the Price)

 

[ShakaZulu]

C'mon now, didn't even mention APEKs in your post...looks like you need to do some more research

 

[elan]

If you do diving in cold water in Canada Scuba Pro MK17/G250V. If you do not go below 40F MK25/S600. I can recommend Zeagles, as I dive those and I dove them in down to 35F but they are not as spread here. My buddies also dive Apekses but I do not know exactly which ones.

 

[halocline]

I have a MK25 with S600 and R190, I've been using it with nitrox in caves and wrecks, never let me down.

The R190 is very heavy, perhaps you can change it for something lighter.

The R190 is not any heavier than any other 2nd stage, especially in the water. It's full size, which I guess makes some people think it's heavier. It's also filled with air while diving, just like any other reg. That makes larger 2nd stages lighter due to increased water displacement.

To the OP, follow your heart. Anything will work fine. If the "carbon" that you mentioned is a lightweight Mares, I'd personally avoid it because I'm not crazy about Mares as a brand and most "lightweight" dive dear is designed to sell, not optimally perform in the water. But that's personal opinion.


This is the second thread in a few days about "lightweight" 2nd stages for women. It appears that the sales pitch of marketing female-friendly dive gear is working. If you really want a lightweight reg in your mouth, try an old double hose. There you have two big corrugated hoses filled with air, which very comfortably push the mouthpiece right into place while in normal diving position. Of course if you pick one up on land you'll think it's the heaviest, bulkiest reg you've ever seen.

 

[Davidstealey3]

looked in the book and the carbon and abyss will work for nitrox. they have 2 special models that are sold overseas with the name nitrox added to it, but they are designed for 100%o2.

i have held the carbon fiber body and it is nice and light. didnt get to dive it as it was at a repair class, but i would love to try it

 

[awakefie]

If your going to go cold then I would say a sealed up Mares Abyss 22 or Oceanic Delta 4 if you'll be in warm water then I would have to say the Aeris Ion or an Apeks reg. As far as I know the Mares 42 Carbon is Nitrox Compatible by U.S. standards. (40%) Everyone has their favorite reg and opinion. I would recommend lots of research and matching the best long term deal to your diving conditions. Stay away from brands that are a pain in the ass or regs with crazy maintenance costs.

P.S. Mares can be a pain in the ass, but they make good stuff.