First Reg purchase

[CaymanDiver]

I am about to make my first equipment purchase's and would appreciate any recommendations on regs.

I am considering the Cressi AirTech/Plus series and wondering if anyone has experience with these regs.

Also, interested in Mares Proton series.

Main interest is finding a reg that breathes easy in any position (head-down, etc.)

 

[Blue Space]

I'm a new diver and was wondering the same thing. Went down to my LDS and they let me try the SP MK16/R380, Atomic Aquatic ZI, Mares Proton (not sure which one), And Apeks TX100 or something cant really remember. IMO the Atomic seemed to just breath a little better than the others in all positions and very comfortable. Just one dive on it so far but no complaints. SO MUCH better than the ones I was renting. my .02 cents.

Brandon

 

[CaymanDiver]

Thanks BlueSpace........... new diver also, will see what LDS has to try out.
Happy Diving !

 

[Diver0001]

CaymanDiver once bubbled...
I am about to make my first equipment purchase's and would appreciate any recommendations on regs.

I am considering the Cressi AirTech/Plus series and wondering if anyone has experience with these regs.

Also, interested in Mares Proton series.

Main interest is finding a reg that breathes easy in any position (head-down, etc.)

I'm a big fan of the aqualung regs. The Titans are very good and the Legend is excellent. My main reg is a Legend LX supreme.

 

[LUBOLD8431]

We have some of those Mares Proton's in the shop, and I tried them out, and I didnt like how they breathed... Maybe its just me, but they made noise, and didnt get a whole lot of air... Maybe Im just too used to my APeks atx-200 just giving me alot of air... (i also dive Poseidons as well= good reg too)...
I would look at the Aqualung regs as well, depending on what your price range is... If you can afford one, get an APEKS!!!

 

[CaymanDiver]

Thanks to all that replied so far.....

I have been reading the posts and have found a lot of good comments on the Apeks regs. Seems everyone likes them.
I have also been looking at Poseidon, just haven't found anyone in Oklahoma City that carries them. Would love to have one, but concerned with service and what I have read about obtaining parts, etc.
I am familiar with AquaLung regs and had not really considered them after my DI said they were not as good as in years past. Unfortunately, I have discovered the DI wasn't positive about any product that he didn't carry in his shop & wasn't very helpful if a new diver didn't want to buy "high end" equipment (i.e. spend a lot of money). So... I have found a new shop that doesn't care about how much you have to spend - just fitting you with good equipment, however, they don't carry Apeks.

Does anyone have personal experience with Cressi regs ?

 

[cstreu1026]

I went through this all just a couple of months ago. I looked at the Aqua Lung Titan and Legen, the Atomic Z1 and B1, The Apeks ATX50 and TX100, Scuba Pro Mk25 with the G250 or S600, and even some of the Poseidons. I tried a few and ended up with the Mk25 S600. Thought sometimes I wish I had gotten the Atomic Z1. To me that is the best bargin in regs. All the neccessary features of the higher end Atomic but with out the cost. The only difference in the Atomic line seems to be the metal that they use to build them. It can also be had with an environmentally sealed first stage which is a plus for cold water dives. I am not saying the Scuba Pro reg isn't great, but I kind of wish i would have saved the extra $100 or so and used it for something else. To me they breath equally as well.

So my suggestion is to try out the Atomic Z1.

 

[wakinyands]

I have a low end Mares Proton (MR12) and I think its a great reg. However, I'm in the same boat as you: wanting to buy new reg and using my MR12 as a backup. I dove on a higher end Mares Proton ICE and an Atomic Z1. The proton ICE is a great reg but I'm a little turned off by the price. The Z1 is a little cheaper and delivers a lot more air. The proton ice 2nd stage is also metal in construction. My decision may come down to diaphram(mares) vs piston(Z1) 1st stages. But overall, I like both.

 

[scubaredneck]

Find out what you need and buy the best one you can afford. Of course, the trick is figuring out what kind of diving you'll be doing.

 

[jewie27]

I just bought a Mares Proton ICE for *$208*, well worth the price. Sure beats $500+ dollars retail. I haven't tried it out yet, can't wait.







(*) Indicates hookups