I would like info on buying my first regulator

[dulcediver]

I have been diving for about 6 months and I am going on a live-aboard cruise in November. I am interested in buying a regulator.

I have read several magazine articles and reviews, but they seem to assume you know what you are looking for, when I don't even know what a lot of it means.

I will mostly be diving in tropical areas. The Sea of Cortez is only a few hours drive from where I live, and I like to vacation in warm places. And at this point in time, I have no interest in cold-water activities.

I don't want to spend a ton of money and start at the top of the line, but I don't want to be cheap when it comes to something this important.

I know most of you are going to be brand loyal, and that's great, but what I would really like to hear is what kinds of options/features I should look for, how to evaluate whether those options are good for me, and what things are really just expensive unnecessary frills. Or referrals to reading material I can get this info from.

Oh yeah, and this seems like a really stupid question, but when you buy a "regulator" does that mean just the second stage, or do they come with a first stage and octopus? I do have an air-integrated computer if that matters.

(I am going to post this under regulators as well, in case you see it duplicated.)

Thanks for your insight.

 

[Scubaroo]

Usually a regulator is a first and second stage, the octopus will be a seperate purchase, or specifically mentioned in a package.

Scubapro and Apeks are both great brands. I have a friend who just sold his late model Genesis for a Scubapro Mk 25/G400, which he is very happy with. I personally own TX40/TX50 Apeks regulators. Apeks make an AT20 regulator, which is a fine warm water regulator - it's basically the same as the rest of the newer ATX40/50 line, minus the cold water features. Also the first stage is unsealed (honestly don't know too much about the pros/cons of that).

The AT20 regulator (1st and 2nd) is about $210 online, the AT20 octopus is about $100 online. The previous model T20 is even cheaper - $150 for 1st and 2nd, and $68 for octopus. (Prices from Leisure Pro). Expect to pay more in a LDS. The only differences I'm aware of between the T20 and AT20 is the size of the second stages - and some divers are saying the older larger regulators (T20 style) have better bubble dispersion, so for a total of $218 plus shipping, you could own an excellent warm water reg.

cheers

Ben

 

[noshow]

I thought I would throw in my 2 cents about the T20 / AT20 reg from Apeks. I have the T20 second stage as my back up second stage and I dive here in Vancouver, BC. 40F (in winter) is not exactly "warm water" however I have not had any problems with it. The LDS guys who sold it to me told me that there is an unconditional guarantee they are attaching to it. (Becouse I didn't believe them and wanted to spend more $ on the ATX40 as my back up second stage). They said that if I EVER had a problem with it to bring it back and they would buy it back. Sounds pretty good to me. However I don't know if this applies to the first stage too but if any thing is going to freeze up it would be the second, right? Esp. if the first stage is sealed. For a total of $218 plus shipping, you could own an AWESOME reg. Or you could overbuy like me and get an ATX200...