How long should a reg last?

[Water Science]

I have a Aqua Lung Calypso VI that is over 30 years old that has never been serviced and still works great although I finally stopped using it since i have new regs now.

 

[redacted]

How long should a scuba regulator last? Good Question ...... some divers like myself have regulators over 20 years old that have been well maintained. Other divers feel they should trade in and get a new one every few years. I feel that it you purchase a "great" regulator from a reliable source then why change if it not giving you any trouble.

What difference does the source make?

I believe all my regs will last at least until the manufacturer decides to stop supporting them.

 

[james croft]

I have some nice new shiny regs like a new Zeagle Flathead that I hope will be aroung for as long as my 1960's Voit doublehose 50 Fathom reg which works perfectly. As long as you can get parts, I suspect the regs will outlive the diver. My grandkids will be diving my old double hose regs.

 

[scubapro50]

I also own a Royal Aquamaster doublehose regulator purchased in 1971 that looks and works like new .... I don't dive with it much (except the pool) but many of my nondiving friends still think we should look like "Mike Nelson" on Sea Hunt. (He used a Voit regulator most of the time anyway)

 

[deco_martini]

How can you not buy a new regulator while the one your using works perfectly fine? Don't you realize that new regulators have cool new metal alloys and even cooler sounding names?

 

[diveprof]

When buying regs, stay with the majors. I have a late 1980's sherwood oasis+ I wouldn't trade it for anything (not happy with their newer stuff, but am very intrigued with their latest reg) and a scubapro of about 9 years age that works great. Well machined regs should last a lifetime, the consideration is will the company last a lifetime (RIP Dacor, a former good reg)???? Hence, I stay with the majors with long term support of their equipment.

 

[TSandM]

I sure hope regs last a long time, because I like the ones I have and have no desire to "upgrade"!

 

[Stu S.]

I was using my 1977 regulator until about three years ago. It was designed when scuba air was 2400 psi. The regulator, a Healthways, worked OK at 3,000 psi, too. I had a chance to start using cylinders at 3,500, and decided to retire the oldie.

It did not wear out, it became obsolete.

If, in our diving futures, the common tank pressure goes to 4,000 psi or beyond, that will probably retire more regs.

 

[Bob]

A good regulator, with proper maintenance, should never wear out. I've been diving since 1971, certified since 1978, and have only owned four sets of regulators. My original Aquamaster, purchased in 1971, SP Mk 10 purchased in 1979, Zeagle Flathead IV in 2003, and probably my last regulator purchase, a SP Mk 25 bought in 2007. I've had my Aquamaster updated and still dive it occasionally. Before I gave the Mk 10 to my daughter, it was my pool reg. SP still supports the Mk 10. The Zeagle is my long hose rig and the Mk 25 is my travel/pool reg. almtree: Bob

 

[leapfrog]

How long should a scuba regulator last?

A lifetime. Your grandchildren (in my case my nephews) should go out and buy new state of the art stuff when I fin off to Valhalla.