How much difference is there between DH regulators?

[elmer fudd]

I'm thinking I'm going to bite the bullet and buy one, (had my eye on the RAM at VDH, but it's gone now). The thing is, I have no firsthand experience with them.

I understand that the Royal Aquamaster is about the best, but for someone who will probably make only make about 10 dives with it a year in relatively shallow water, (60' or less), would I notice any difference between a RAM and a DA and how significant would that difference be?

I notice other brands like the Healthways are downright cheap, but I also see you have to practically make all your own parts to fix them.

I don't mind spending more if I will see a significant difference in performance, but if a lessor reg will do 95% of a more desirable one at 1/3 the price, then I'll go for the lessor reg. Is there any brand or model out there that gives you the most bang for the buck?

I'm also thinking that these things will almost certainly retain their value better than modern regulators, so even if I spend a little more now, I could probably get most of it back out if I ever sell it.

 

[Gilldiver]

Stay with a US Divers or Voit regs as there are parts for them. DACOR, Healthways, and other regs are cheap because there are no parts, or very few parts around for them.

For what you want to do, get a DA or a Mistral, the DA will get slightly harder to breath as the tank pressure gets lower, but it is not bad at all. The Mistral will start out harder and get easier as the tank pressure gets lower. VDH has some DA's kits that would be a great place to start, they are not hard to put together at all.

One thing to consider is that if you go with the DA you can get the Pheniox Nozzle or Mossback conversion at a later date which adds in 3 SPG ports and 3 LP ports.

I do caution you, if you get one you just might find yourself getting many. I started out with a DACOR to use as a wall hanger and now have a DA, DA w Pheniox nozzle, RAM, Mistral, Stream Air, Navy Approved, Voit Polaris, and a Polish Kajamen.

 

[herman]

IMO get a DA or if you get a good deal a RAM. There is little difference you will notice between a well tuned DA or RAM. A Mistral is also a good reg but for the first time DH user a DA set up with silicone parts is the way to go. You can add a Phoenix later if you choose. IMO the Phoenix adds little to the performance of an equally tuned DA or RAM but the additon of the HP ports and stronger yoke make it a good addition. It also makes the transition from single hose regs to DH regs easier because you have the LP ports to connect the modern gadgets like octos and inflators to, those will go away in time as you dive the old gear and realize you don't need them. Healthways and others are best left for later when you are wanting a project. With no reproduction parts you are limited to using old parts that are less than optimal or making your own parts. Besides like Pete said, you will likely end up with several... 3 DAs,2 RAMs, Mistral, 2 Phoenixs, Faux Blue Voit 50 Fathom and several project regs.

I encourage you to find someone locally who dives the old regs and spend some time with them learning to dive them. It's not difficult but they are different and having someone teach you how to dive them will make your transition easier......most all of us have one or 2 or 3 to loan.

 

[Doubler]

Elmer, I just happen to live in the Puget Sound area and have a PRAM for sale. PM if interested.

 

[Nemrod]

The RAM is noticeably better breather and easier to tune. That said, a good DA, set up carefully is a fine regulator and with all of the new parts at an outstanding cost to performance ratio.

I have just scored a NOS heavy yoke, round label RAM, never wet! It still has the original duck bill installed and it is soft! Some shelf wear on the label etc. I hooked it up and it breaths like a charm. It even has the clear cages with silicone NOS valves, soft as the day they were made and un-perished NOS neoprene hoses and mouthpiece. I don't know if I can justify keeping this baby as I have a growing fleet and my recent desire to defeat soundly a co-worker (half my age) in a bike race has me dumping money into all of my old bicycles at a prodigious rate. The TDF has nothing on this grudge match, Jimmy and the Pinarello vs the largest bike club in town! Oh, what to do, what to do, she loves me, she loves me not.

N

 

[captain]

Stay with a US Divers or Voit regs as there are parts for them. DACOR, Healthways, and other regs are cheap because there are no parts, or very few parts around for them.

For what you want to do, get a DA or a Mistral, the DA will get slightly harder to breath as the tank pressure gets lower, but it is not bad at all. The Mistral will start out harder and get easier as the tank pressure gets lower. VDH has some DA's kits that would be a great place to start, they are not hard to put together at all.

One thing to consider is that if you go with the DA you can get the Pheniox Nozzle or Mossback conversion at a later date which adds in 3 SPG ports and 3 LP ports.

I do caution you, if you get one you just might find yourself getting many. I started out with a DACOR to use as a wall hanger and now have a DA, DA w Pheniox nozzle, RAM, Mistral, Stream Air, Navy Approved, Voit Polaris, and a Polish Kajamen.

The DA gets easier to breathe as tank pressure gets low because it is an unbalanced diaphragm first stage and as tank pressure decreases IP increases with results in easier breathing.

It is regulators with unbalanced piston first stages that get harder as tank pressure decreases.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

I would second what Captain said, and know that he is correct about the interstage pressure. The DA Aquamaster is a fine regulator, and upgrades are possible later on if desired. It needs to be tuned at 500 psig because of the changes in interstage pressure Captain talked about.

SeaRat

 

[Gilldiver]

Captain is correct, I should not post before 7AM on a Sunday.

 

[elmer fudd]

Thanks for all the responses. It's making it a little bit easier for me to narrow the choices down. It looks like I'll be getting either a DA AM, RAM or Voit.

 

[elmer fudd]

Elmer, I just happen to live in the Puget Sound area and have a PRAM for sale. PM if interested.

PM sent.