Hi, I'm looking to buy my first regulator. I'm still a noob diver (I just completed my GUE fundies), but I'd like to progress to ice-tech-cave diving.
My main requirements are
I was looking at a few good models:
EDIT: more than the "one and last" regulator (sorry for the clickbait
), I'm trying to understand which ecosystem I should focus on. Especially if I try to service my gear, sticking to one manufacturer alone would make my life easier.
Money it's not a huge concern - I like the idea of sticking to one manufacturer and focusing on diving like we do with Apple

What regs would be easier to service by myself?
Some regs seem to have a wider "usable range" at, give or take, the same cost. E.g., the Poseidon Xtream would allow me to dive in ice-cold water at the same cost as a Scubapro MK25. Any downside that I'm missing?
My main requirements are
- Easy to self-service - I want to do the maintenance and run diagnostics myself.
- I want to stick to one brand for servicing, so I prefer a brand I can use for everything regulator-related (deco bottle, bailouts, side mounts, etc.)
- I can use it in a dual tank configuration, deep and cold water dives.
- Ideally, I would love something that can work with ice dives, but realistically I will be diving in Antarctica or under ice only a few times, so if I need something rated to -2 for one week, I could rent it.
- GUE/DIR compliant (does it require four ports?)
I was looking at a few good models:
- Poseidon Xtream (LGTM, but I heard concerns about catastrophic failures or IP - are the concerns valid or BS?)
- Mares Navy II - it would be good if it had five ports.
- Apeks XL4 (but it's rated "only" up to 4C, so prob not good enough for ice dives) or XLX50 (rated up to 2C, probably good enough for 99% of the dives)
EDIT: more than the "one and last" regulator (sorry for the clickbait

Money it's not a huge concern - I like the idea of sticking to one manufacturer and focusing on diving like we do with Apple


What regs would be easier to service by myself?
Some regs seem to have a wider "usable range" at, give or take, the same cost. E.g., the Poseidon Xtream would allow me to dive in ice-cold water at the same cost as a Scubapro MK25. Any downside that I'm missing?