3500PSI
Guest
i am looking for a decent quality cold water reg. I was looking for one(1st & 2nd stage) for less than $250. I was wondering what you guys would suggest i buy. Thanx Jared
good quality cheap reg?
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You should be able to get an Apeks DS4/TX40 for that. Outside of that, Oceanic has good regs for the money.
nyresq
Contributor
if you mean low purchase price, you'll get low quality and a hard breathing reg.
if you mean low yearly maintenence cost then look for something with a life long parts warranty.
If purchse price is governing your decision, then look at something like an Oceanic alpha with the diaphragm first stage. Its a good reg, if properly tuned breathes pretty good unless your going to extream depths.
Stick with a diaphragm first stage if you're planning on doing mostly cold water diving as it isolates the moving parts from the water. A diaphragm costs a little more but, if you get a piston first stage, you'll also need and enviormental seal kit which seals the reg against the water. and that in it self will make up the difference in price.
If you want to do something like ice diving, then you'll need to seal the diaphragm first stage also as the exposed springs could build up with ice and cause a freeflow under the right circumstances (surfacing and diving several times)
if you mean low yearly maintenence cost then look for something with a life long parts warranty.
If purchse price is governing your decision, then look at something like an Oceanic alpha with the diaphragm first stage. Its a good reg, if properly tuned breathes pretty good unless your going to extream depths.
Stick with a diaphragm first stage if you're planning on doing mostly cold water diving as it isolates the moving parts from the water. A diaphragm costs a little more but, if you get a piston first stage, you'll also need and enviormental seal kit which seals the reg against the water. and that in it self will make up the difference in price.
If you want to do something like ice diving, then you'll need to seal the diaphragm first stage also as the exposed springs could build up with ice and cause a freeflow under the right circumstances (surfacing and diving several times)
A Scubapro Mk 2 R190 retails for $235 and the Mk 2 R380 retails for $284.
Both come equipped with the TIS system for cold water protection and while the TIS kit leaves something to be desired on the Mk 25 on the Mk 2, with it's lower flow rate, it provides very reliable cold water protection.
They are decent breathing regs at an affordable price and carry Scubapro's life time warranty so parts are free at each annual service.
Both come equipped with the TIS system for cold water protection and while the TIS kit leaves something to be desired on the Mk 25 on the Mk 2, with it's lower flow rate, it provides very reliable cold water protection.
They are decent breathing regs at an affordable price and carry Scubapro's life time warranty so parts are free at each annual service.
rescuediver009
Contributor
I am not too sure on US$ and the conversion ratio, but i would cay go for the Sherwood blizzard. They are some of the hardest working regs around, and they also have something comparable to an environmental seal. They have a one way bleeder valve, that keeps any contaminants out of the first stage. And as far as the second stage goes, the blizzard is the first regulator designed for cold water. i had one for two years and had it down at depth and cold water (34 F). and service... they are the cheapest regulators to have service because they replace so few parts and are almost universal.
DMTJLA
Guest
Bang for the buck the Sherwood Blizzard is a great choice. It is a work-horse and service is inexpensive. I have the Oasis and have never had aproblem with it.
Gator Diver
Contributor
go with the sherwood. low maintenance costs
and is a workhorse. if you plan on doing
some deep diving (over 100ft) or will get
into more advanced diving down the way, go
ahead and pay more upfront to buy
a Scubapro, Apeks, Atomics. otherwise
go with Sherwood.
and is a workhorse. if you plan on doing
some deep diving (over 100ft) or will get
into more advanced diving down the way, go
ahead and pay more upfront to buy
a Scubapro, Apeks, Atomics. otherwise
go with Sherwood.
BIGSAGE136
Contributor
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Penny for penny, pound for pound you cant beat the Oceanic Alpha 7. The question is will suit the diving conditions you plan to use it in? There will always be variables.
i dive in the puget sound year round (water temp 50-55 ) so need a cold water reg. Being that its for my girlfriend i'm not sure if i would take her any deeper than 80-100 feet but like the thought of not being limited. So if i did get the blizzard or alpha 7 what would happen if we went deeper than 100 feet? just harder to breath or could it be something more serious? i would want to get her the apeks atx50 but think it would be overkill for the kind of diving i would be doing with her.
If you're diving in 50~55 degree water, you don't need a 'cold water' regulator. Cold water regulators are designed to minimize the chance of ice forming and interfering with the operation of the regulator. This is a consideration for ice diving, or diving in water temperatures in the 30's. The water temperatures in Monterey/Carmel that I dive in range from mid 40's to high 50's and thermal issues are not a consideration at all in this area, and you can dive any good regulator.
BTW, I've heard and read that the Oceanic Alpha 7 is a great regulator for the price. Although I haven't tried one in person, I'm sure most current major brand regulators will be fine for use in recreational depths. It's just a matter of extra comfort.
BTW, I've heard and read that the Oceanic Alpha 7 is a great regulator for the price. Although I haven't tried one in person, I'm sure most current major brand regulators will be fine for use in recreational depths. It's just a matter of extra comfort.
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