elan
Contributor
Im sure this has been talked about before but cant really find some good info.
So im looking at picking up a new regulator and see alot of people talking about the Hog set ups and can be picked up for super cheap!
Hog D1 Second Stage, Edge Epic Coldwater YOKE First stage(first stage ONLY), and being followed up with a Phantom Flex Hose for $220
also seeing the Edge stuff- it is the same? I see they offer a yoke instead of having a yoke din adaptor. are they the same product?
Now my real question is -
Am I better off getting something better or is this a great combo?
I am new to the sport and don’t know the differences between a great reg and an ok one. I would rather buy the good stuff once and have it last for years to come and not out grow it and want something better.
I have buddies that dive older atomic regs and that is currently what im borrowing and seems to work well. At least a lot better than the give I used for my certification.
So should I go with this this Hog set up or purchase something better?
Cost isn’t too much of a concern but im not wanting to over spend because Im buying a better name on the box.
Also can you get a swivel on this reg?
Im open to hear what all you experienced divers have to say.
Thanks – Kyle the newbie
Unfortunately some of the better regs are not made anymore. It has been bitten here down to the ground but one of the best would be a D series Scubapro reg. D350 , D300, D400 earlier models according to experts. I have already got 3 and switched my second stages on my stage regs to those regs. They are one of the best breathers. Some people say that Poseidons breath comparable as well, but I have not had a chance to try a Poseidon reg. If you are going to dive yoke tanks in warm water you can still get a used MK5/D series combo for around 100 and that would be a good breather. The problem with the D series is that not all technicians can tune them but you can always mail them to say DA Aquamaster and he can service it.
From many regs that I have tried which are based on a barrel design (I have not tried too many only zeagle , apeks atx, xtx, Atomic, HOG)) I like the current version of G250 , it is strudy, dependable, quality made and not as nervous as the others of the similar design. If you can source them on the gray market you can get them 1.5 price. I got mine through leasurepro when they still had those prices. There are some european sources that you can get them for the same price from.
From the first stages I like the most Apeks and Poseidons, I only saw Apeks inside and those look bombproof. I like how Zeagle 1sts are designed but they use plastinc for the thumbwheel which I do not like
Performance wise I think they are all pretty good (cannot say for Poseidon as I have never seen one inside). From how the IP recovers I liked the SP MK17 the most. DA Aquamaster has explained in one of his posts why this model behaves so well, From the diaphragms I performance wise I liked that stage the most.
Atomics look pretty well made but I think they over disigned their second with all those gimmics. I have not noticed any difference performance wise from any other regs.
So my personal list of preferene would be D series with (MK17, Zeagle FH, Apeks DST,DS4, MK5, MK20) G250V with (MK17, Zeagle FH, Apeks DST,DS4, MK5, MK20)
