Help me pick out my 1st reg setup

[StreetDoctor]

I have about $500 to spend on a reg setup. I primarily will be diving cold water (great lakes) with one or two trips a year to warm water. I definitely want to do an octo instead of the air2, and I like the idea of the 7' hose on my primary 2nd stage. I could also see myself getting into tech diving in the next couple years. What do you recommend? So far I've read good things about the aqualung titan LX, would this be suitable?

 

[sporket]

Welcome StreetDoctor. I was in the exact same situation not that long ago. (Other than living in a warmer climate). I wanted a environment sealed reg. One that I could dive from the Great Lakes to Cancun. I went with Zeagle Flathead VI. It is one sweet breather. I did all my training on the Titan; the Zeagle blew it out of the water. You wont have to worry about the reg freezing up if you decide to dive cold. Its simply one of the best regs out there. Really a great company to deal with also. BTW I went the the 5 foot hose. Shame on me.

 

[searider]

For serious and good investment reg,fits for all environment,good for your future plan as tech diver, buy APEX. any model as long its fit in your budget. its too long to explain why..For more details check there web site..(its same maker of aqualung) about the lenght of the hose,the tech people has a reason why they prepaired to use the long one..just ask them and you will know..

cheers,
Sea Rider Dive Center
Sabang,Puerto galera,Philippines

 

[jeepdiving]

Check out the Sherwood Maximus. Go to
Welcome to Sherwood Scuba!

This is the maximus which i use. Absolutley love it, is great for beginner tech, works well in colder water and uses a 90 degree hose connection which allows you to run hose under your arm making you more streamline and preventing snagging from your primary hose.

This is the Sherwood Blizzard it looks to be similar to the Maximus except designed more specificly for colder diving.
Welcome to Sherwood Scuba!

As a personal preference i like Sherwood prodcts, and you should be able to round either one up for around 400 or less.. Hope this helps

 

[Twistedarts]

If it is of any help I can second the Sherwood notion. I have the magnum and it has worked well so far in 50 degree quarry water. The magnum is a good cheap reg but if you have the money the blizzard is a nice step up with an environmentally sealed first stage so you cant go wrong either way. I do mostly caribbean doving and some here in the northeast. YMMV.

 

[mikeb663]

I have an oceanic delta 4 with FDX10 first stage that I have been very happy with. It breathes great and is within your price range.

 

[keyshunter]

A cold water version of any major manufacturer's reg will do you fine. I'm sure the Scubapro, Atomic, and Mares people will be along shortly. Just remember that the ready availability of competent service is everything.

 

[v--Locke--v]

There are many choices and it is very easy for us to spend your money. First of all you don't have $500 dollars because that what you have to spend. You can get a really nice used regulator. Im gonna make a few suggestions but before I do that, you should try to buy a used reg that has been recently serviced and not used. There are many places to find used regs. One great place is NortheastScubaSupply.com. Ebay and the classified forums here are also good places. One thing about regs freezing... the environmental seal only does so much to help reg freezing, what really helps are the metal fins inside over plastic fins.

1. Oceanic GT3 w/ CDX5: this is the cheaped enviromentally sealed reg you can buy and if you get the non-DVT version it will be well under your price. This is what I dive with.

2. Dive Rite RG2500 or 3500: you can often find these used and in good shape. Also Dive Rite is the ONLY manufacturer that openly allows the user to buy service kits and manuals to service them yourself. THese are considered cold water regs, but can have an environmental kit installed

3. Oceanic Delta 4 w/ FDX10: a good and less expensive cold water reg, and usually can find good deals on used ones

4. Older used Oceanic Delta 3's: a good reg is a good reg even if its older

If you plan on diving doubles or want to run an h-valve its much cheaper to buy a couple of older regs. I bought my RG2500 used and love it on a 7' hose. Im looking for another RG2500 now so i can run doubles or an H-valve, and then take the Dive Rite octo and put it on a pony bottle.

 

[raider11]

Scubapro MK17/S555 have been working great in 50º water.

 

[JSharp13]

I have been really happy with my Sherwood Maximus. Only 25 dives with it, but all in cold water (Chicago) and it is very comfortable with a long hose that goes under the arm and the swivel. I think the Blizzard is basically the same but without the swivel and maybe a few other bells and whistles. My LDS let me breath on a few regs at the shop, and there was definitely a difference between different models. I would recommend trying a few out if there is a place near you. In addition, if you buy it from a shop, you know that you have a place to take it if anything goes wrong.