how about a little input here...

[silverfish]

Jon,

As it turns out my LDS just had a really good deal on a Valor reg,octo and console including a react computer. So I bought that combo deal. However, I am still interested in the Omega. I only know one person that uses one and he loves it. I just couldn't bring myself to spend that kind of money on a piece of equipment without trying it first. My hope is that I will be able to dive the Omega sometime when I can borrow someone else's . Nobody rents one. Where are all the ,"Try before you buy "opportunites , I hear so much about on this board??

I haven't gotten my new equipment wet yet either. I hope you will keep me posted on how you like yours.

Looking forward to hearing all about how much you love your new reg.

 

[oxyhacker]

You hit the nail on the head. I talked to her some time later to see if I could figure out what had actually happened, and asked her if she snorkled much. No, she said, I hate being on the surface - I like to get down under right away. It's pretty clear she was a nervous diver, and probably, when she hyperventilated a bit, or took a slightly panicked deep breath, the servo valve would open, and blast blast any water that had accumulated in the bottom of the reg into her throat, thus giving her the impression that it was somehow feeding her straight water instead of air. A snorkler or old time tdvie used to wet regs would take this in a stride, but a newer, nervous diver, used to dry breathing modern gear might not.

But this does point up one of the oddities about side breathers, that the exhaust valves tend to leak a bit more than conventional regs, and the water that drains in tends to accumulate since it doesn't automatically drain. Most users get used to this pretty quickly, but the irony about the Omega is that it always (like a lot of other oddball "cute" regulators) tended to appeal to novice and women divers, who were probably the last people who should have been diving them (my Omega is hot pink).

The other thing about the Omega is that it's been around a long time, and is pretty dated/deadend technology. It may have outperfeored conventional regs when it came out, but reg manufacturers have been able to squeeze more and more performance out of simpler, conventional designs over the years, until just any of the better conventional regs -and I don't mean just the more expensive ones either - will outperform the Omega.

Also, it's an expensive reg to overhaul, since the precision machined servo valve must be replaced each time, while most regs now get by with a rubber seat and a couple O-rings. This also means no one but an authorized Oceanic dealer will be able to service it.

Don't get me wrong - it's not a bad reg. It just, to my mind, doesn't offer enough advantages to justify its drawbacks.

Originally posted by jon677
Hello Oxyhacker...

Yeah, I've heard about the occasional wet breathing (I wonder if that's what the original owner "really" meant?) and the copious volume of air. Other than that, other members on this board seem to think they are easy to maintain and quite trouble free.


Jon

 

[silverfish]

Oxyhacker,

Do you dislike your omega enough that you want to pass it off to someone else?? If so by all means please let me know.

 

[barb]

Hi Silverfish

Did you get your reg?
I bought an Oceanic Zeta - pneumatically balanced Servo-Activated. Sounds fancy eh? It really is nice and smoooooth - when it works. I used mine twice and then it started to freeflow, just a little. I'm now using a Zeagle until mine can be fixed or replaced. I don't much like the Zeagle, no offence to those that use them, it's too much in my face and has adjustable flow, pre-dive position, dive position (too much messing around for me) My husband loves the Zeagle - he likes the "control". I say just another mechanical part to get tired. Anyway, I don't know that much about these things. I just know I'll be happy to get the Zeta back in working order so I can breath free and easy.

Enjoy!!!

 

[silverfish]

Hi Barb,

I have only used my new Valor twice now. I find that it breaths wet. Two different dive shops recommended it and the "wet " doesn't bother me in spring fed quarries...I might feel quite differently in saltwater. Actually in the quarry I dove I rather liked it, but , the water is crisp and clear. One of the things I wanted in a reg was small size and light weight. The valor has both those. I dove a Sherwood Oasis before and it was a good reg, just seemed large and heavy to me. (Even with my custom mouthpiece)

What happened to your Oceanic? Was it faulty from the factory?

 

[pchelp]

I am currently using a pair of the Omega II's, primary and secondary. Have been very happy with them, bought them used with some other gear from the paper for $100. My lds charged $80 total to rebuild both, so far no problems. Lightweight.

 

[barb]

Hi Silverfish
Sorry I did'nt reply sooner but I've been very busy - diving,parenting, working, etc.......
The Zeta, as I just found out, is apparently an updated version of the Omega II. I liked it for the smooth, easy breathing, and light weight. Like you, I don't like a heavy, in your face, reg. I really like the mouth piece on the Zeta also. Unfortunately, it proved to be a finnicky, sensitive reg.. The LDS, much to their credit, really tried to make it work for me but there was just no way. The company even sent a whole new reg. but it had a new set of problems. Ya, right, like I'm really going to trust my life to a reg. like this!!!!! I told the LDS that I give up and we're now looking at alternatives.
I have learned from this experience so it was worthwhile - although very frustrating.
I am currently using my husbands reg. so we can't dive at the same time - boo hoo;-0
I'm going to do as much research, as fast as I can to decide what will work best for me so we can get back to diving together.
I hope your happy with your new reg?
I'm considering the Sherwood Oasis as my LDS carrys it.
Let me know how you like yours.

 

[barb]

Hi again Silverfish:
Ooops! I see, after looking back, that you bought a valor not a Sherwood Oasis. Since I also want a lightweight, small reg. I will rethink the Oasis based on what you said.
Who makes the valor. Tell me more please.
If anyone else reading this can suggest a good breathing(i.e. easy) reg. , lightweight, small profile so I don't see it, flexible hose, prefer no dials or switches to mess around with while diving (task loading), Nitrox compatible, NOT cold water sensitive as I'm Canadian and much of my diving can be cold - 45 F. I'd be very grateful/happy.

 

[oxyhacker]

If I can just add one more comment, I think one thing that causes a lot of unecessary grief in the dive world is the tendency of women - new divers especially - to be drawn to small or pretty regulators (the one I mentioned earlier in this thread, that the owner said tried to kill her, was a hot pink Omega!).

There's a certain optimum size for a regulator. Try to make it too much smaller, and it doesn't work as well. Either that or you have to do wierd stuff to it to try to make it perform, that makes it either act oddly (as with the Omega/Zeta) or be finicky to service (as with the Micras) or just plain bad ( the Triton). If you look at the really rock solid, reliable, no-fuss regs, you'll find they are all the same, slightly on the large, size. It's no coincidence that they are!

That doesn't necessarily make them less comfortable - underwater the weight doesn't count, and a little extra mass keeps the hose from pushing them around.

Originally posted by barb
Hi Silverfish
The Zeta, as I just found out, is apparently an updated version of the Omega II. I liked it for the smooth, easy breathing, and light weight. Like you, I don't like a heavy, in your face, reg. I really like the mouth piece on the Zeta also. Unfortunately, it proved to be a finnicky, sensitive reg.

 

[barb]

Originally posted by oxyhacker
women - new divers especially - to be drawn to small or pretty regulators
I could be offended but I'm not.
The Zeta was actually black - not a very pretty colour.
The reason I'm drawn to a small 2nd stage is comfort in my mouth and in the 1st stage it's weight related. I found less drag and tugging on my mouth with the Zeta 2nd stage than the Zeagle. I attributed this to the size - maybe it was just a better fitting mouth piece - I don't know - I'm not sure.
Oxyhacker, I really appreciate your input, thanks for taking the time even though you assumed women would be drawn to small, pretty regulators!!!