good regulator for newb and nitrox..

[Wreck/Tec]

lakemountd
What do you want out of a reg, mixes of gas?
What are you planning for the future, Tec, caves, etc.
What do you want to spend?
What extremes will it experience?
If your choice is to have a performance reg, and will meet extremes in any of the above buy a higher end reg with a better name, Apex, Poseidon, Scuba pro. You will be assured quality and a higher level of performance. If you want to dive frequently, and expect to stay at moderate depths and want Nitrox capability, Mares, Oceanic, and Sherwood would probably work well for you at a more modest cost.
Think where your going and buy your regulators once!

 

[MechDiver]

wazza once bubbled...
I never heard about titanium with nitrox are bad idea???

There was an instance some years ago, in Califormia I believe, where a new titanium first stage essentially blew up on an 80% stage tank when it was turned on. As Diver0001 has said, it burned so fast it was almost an explosion. I think that is what started the EAN/titanium thing.

I'm not sure what Atomics and Scubapros positions are regarding ti and nitrox.

Phil

 

[pescador775]

Lakemount, you don't say much anything that would help us help you except 'nitrox'. Many brand name regs are cleared for nitrox (usually assumed to mean oxygen). Normally, any old brass reg can be safely used up to 40%. Some will try to nitpick this statement but it is true nonetheless.

I see that a few folks are consistently pumping Scubapro and Apeks throughout the board. Don't say anything except "they're great". These are nice regs but are somewhat different technically. I wouldn't advise the SP if you are diving in ice water. The SP piston stage freezes up. The Apeks is better in this regard and the company is much more open in providing customers with data and maintenance info on their regs. Scubapro is secretive and 'uppity', always has been. They require costly annual maintenance inspections which seems overly frequent to me. Overall, if a choice between the two is to be made, note that the comparable Apeks is cheaper to purchase. Another regulator of note is the new Aqualung Legend LX, an Apeks clone (Aqualung owns Apeks through their Seaquest subsidiary). There have been some good comments on performance of the Legend. The Mares line is well thought of in some circles and for good reason. The old MR12 was a benchmark and I hear that today's models are very competitive. The Genesis company sells a compact regulator with innovative 'dry' piston first stage and very small second stage. Of the above regulators, only the Mares is non adjustable by design. The others have an adjustable second stage that can be 'tuned' to prevent freeflow or manage other unusual circumstances.

 

[LakeMountD]

okay sorry for the long reply.. here is what i plan to do..

i plan on using regular air and nitrox... i plan on going moderately deep like doing some shipwrecks etc.. i dont plan on going in water thats near freezing.. but i want somethign that is dependable and well isnt cheapy.. i hate cheapy stuff..

 

[pescador775]

Then, Lakemount, you should stay in the middle and avoid exotic side breathers like Poseidon which may require expensive or unusual hoses, or expensive cadillac models like Atomic which promise to breath for you. Also, be careful of Apeks mods with turrets which have special sizes for their main LP port. You want a brand name reg of above average performance which is versatile and has widely available service. Fortunately (or unfortunately), this leaves many choices.

'Cheepo' regs aren't discussed much around here but a quick check of Rodales may turn up a few. These are usually off brand.

You need to decide whether you want an ultra small second stage like the Aqualung Micra, Apeks ATX and SP S600 or perhaps a larger but more stable, easier to manipulate type. You need to decide on a piston or diaphragm (sealed) first stage, and the type of tank hookup.

I would suggest the SP MK25/G250HP or Aqualung Legend LX. I believe that the Legend is somewhat less expensive and may be more reliable under certain conditions. One of the Seaquest Apeks regs may be a good choice but watch out for the many confusing mods and their variable hose locations. Apparently, the preferred mod of this reg for tech divers is factory set up for DIN with fixed hoses, not swivel. The issue of DIN or yoke is a consideration. Basically, DIN should be preferred for complex double tank setups with multiple regulators. This is commonly seen for deep wreck, penetration divers. Otherwise, a pair of single aluminum or steel 100 cf tanks with yokes will serve you well for moderately deep wreck diving. Again, if you intend to jump into tech diving; remember that this is 'hose intensive'. Although any of the above regs are suitable for this you may need personal supervision as to routing and the best regulator configuration for this.

The above regs are adjustable. There is an adjustment knob on the second stage but some, like Micra, may be available either way. Some other brands offer non adjustable models which can be interchanged with the first stage of choice. Some folks prefer these simpler regs with fixed settings and no knob. There is something to be said for simplicity and eliminating complexity which may require more service. It's a matter of personal preference.

 

[DutchDown]

I am in essentially the same quandry over regulator choice and am having trouble deciding. The Legend LX is at the top of my list, but the owner's manual I downloaded from Aqualung's website specifically forbids using mixtures abouve 23% oxygen. I was also under the impression that up to 40% oxygen could be used in modern regilators. I can't find anything about Scubapro regulators which addresses the nitropx question. Can anybody help?

 

[buff]

I would get the Apeks TX50 again in a heartbeat. They are good-I mean great , inexpensive regulators.

There is really no need to look anywhere else.....except Poseidon-hahaha.

3 day shipping time from DiveInn to Minnesota. Can't beat it.

 

[buff]

ATX 40 at www.diveinn.com is a great deal. I have a TX50 and I think the 40 is just as good as the 50 model and is 50 bucks less.

The ATX also has a non-swivel first stage. I have a swivel first stage but it is unecessary and just one more thing to go wrong.

Diveinn's prices have gone up a little lately, maybe SimplyScuba would be cheaper.......