Help me choose my last regulator

[vondo]

My current reg setup (Cressi Ellipse Titanium/MC7 with an Oceanic Alpha Sport octo) is probably not adequate for the diving I'm planning to do next season. That will be depths to 130' and temps in the high 30's, I think (Lake Michigan).

So, I've been looking around at where I might want to go with a new reg setup. Here, in order, is what is important to me:

1. Cold water performance
2. DIN availability
3. I really want this to be the last reg I buy, so something serviceable in 20-30 years.
4. Ease of service anywhere in the world
5. Ability to buy a 2nd stage separately (not an octo). Buying an identical octo and a new faceplate counts.
6. Bulk and weight. I'll travel with this setup too.

Not important at all is any kind of free parts program. I want warranty coverage for recalls, but I gather that is always provided no matter what. I don't, now, plan to do ice diving or any diving beyond recreational depth or time limits.

So, the one thing that I've identified that seems to meet all of this is the Scubapro Mk17/S600 or G250V combo which, with two 2nd stages, can be had for about $700 from Scubastore.com

Price is definitely an issue, so I've also been looking at lower cost options. First up would be trying to get my current MC7 upgraded with the anti-freeze kit and perhaps converted to DIN. Another option is to go with just a Mk17 for about $200 and keep my existing 2nd stages, at least for now. Is this a good idea?

What other options should I be looking at that are the same or less than the SP setup? I'd love to go with a more customer friendly company like Oceanic or Zeagle, but I worry about points 3-5 with those companies. But that may be my own ignorance.

Thanks!

 

[eliminator]

Atomic, will last forever and will able to be upgraded in the future

 

[vondo]

Atomic, will last forever and will able to be upgraded in the future

And appears to be well out of my price range.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

Zeagle and Oceanic have been doing this for over 30 years, I don't think they are going anywhere. Zeagle actually just bought Pinnacle, and Oceanic owns Aeris and Hollis. Alot of BIG names Vondo

Have you looked at Atomic as well? Any of the above are excellent regs and many choices. You can get a matching Second stage(and usually faceplate) with pretty much any of the companies. With Atomic you have more choices on the faceplate than standard and yellow, and a 2 year service interval which can save you money in the long run. Some of the Atomics also have a Titanium 2nd stage, make it almost disappear underwater and reduce jaw fatigue. They also come with a swivel.

Oceanics used to have swivels, no longer though- cheap to service
Zeagle comes with a Miflex hose. - Cheap to service
Atomic is a bit more expensive to service, but you only do it once every 2 years.

With your list, there is not a bad choice on there, so any decision you make will be a good one

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

And appears to be well out of my price range.

I got some in store specials right now....call me tomorrow Haven't seen you at the quarry in awhile

 

[vondo]

Zeagle and Oceanic have been doing this for over 30 years, I don't think they are going anywhere. Zeagle actually just bought Pinnacle, and Oceanic owns Aeris and Hollis. Alot of BIG names Vondo

Hey Mike,

I'm not worried about the company going out of business, rather I thought it was SOP for some companies to stop supplying service parts after some period effectively obsoleting the reg. Like I said, I'm ignorant on this.

So in the Zeagle line, it looks like the ZX50 or any of the Flatheads would be a good choice. In Oceanic, I have no idea which are real cold water regs.

Thanks

 

[vondo]

Haven't seen you at the quarry in awhile

Nope, I've been in the lake. Last dive at Haigh was to test dive that Fusion.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

Nope, I've been in the lake. Last dive at Haigh was to test dive that Fusion.

LUCKY!!!:cool2::cool2:

 

[Scared Silly]

I just rebuilt an Atomic B2 (now forsale), parts such as purge valve (face plate), exhaust, etc. are very available. In fact Atomic sells color kits so you can get what ever colors you want. Getting parts is no problem as well as servicing them. They even sell octo that are exactly the same as their second stages.

Oh warranties have nothing to do with recalls. Recalls are consumer product safety related and it does not matter whether the product is owned by the original owner or the 10th owner. The company issuing the recall must accept the product back.

 

[SilentDeepHunter]

I like the Posedion XSTREAM, lifetime warrenty,depths of 640' tested.So far no problem.(getting it serviced takes a week from my local diveshop.)