Ice Diving Regs

[outback]

I'm planning on doing some ice diving in the not too distant and am looking into getting some suitable regs. I've been doing some research and I've narrowed it down to the Apex XT100 or the Zeagle Flathead VI.

Any opinions or other suggestions? Key for me is reliability, ease of repair in a remote environment (I'm talking Antarctica here....) and cost factors in there as well as I'll be gearing up with at least two if not 3 sets.

Cheers!

 

[ppo2_diver]

Can't go wrong with either one. I dive Apeks DS4 with TX50 and ATX50 second stages.

 

[Greg Barlow]

If you are open to other possibilities, you might seriously consider the Mares Proton Ice Extreme. It passed the US Navy's ultimate test for cold water regs, that being, it continued working properly in 29 degree water. From my understanding, that is the coldest water temperature ever measured at either of the poles.

While I use the Mares V42 Proton Metal, I can personally vouch for its performance in waters as cold as 34 degrees. I made two dives this weekend down to a maximum depth of 140 ffw, and the water was a "balmy" 41 degrees. I have also used it for ice diving without the slightest problem.

You can find more information about the Proton Ice Extreme here: Mares - stand for diving

Mares Proton second stages are very easy to service, and they are very simple in nature as compared to many balanced second stage models. The metal second stages are also excellent conductors of the heat energy found in water. Even if diving in 29 degree waters, the incoming gas flow is considerably colder due to adiabatic cooling. Metal bodied second stages are notably superior to any polymer bodied reg due to the conduction factor.

Also, the Mares MR32 Proton Ice Extreme passed the US Navy Class "A" standards by a considerable margin.

Greg Barlow
Former Science Editor for Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine

 

[micklock]

These guys used modified Sherwood Maximus reg's, I have Diverite Hurricane reg's, but only had them in 42 degrees Fahrenheit water. Diving Under Antarctic Ice

 

[Standingbear56]

All the above regs are proven excellent choices. Personally I have used both the Poseidon Jetstream and Poseidon X-Stream for ice dives and never had a problem with either of them. The Jetstream had the traditional Vodka (yes you are reading right) filled environmental cap while the X-Stream is environmentally sealed right out of the box. You may also want to check out Dive Rite's Jetstream DR. It combines the Jetstream's proven 2nd stage with the X-Streams environmentally sealed 1st stage.
Good luck with your adventures and let us know how you make out.
Safe Diving,
George
PADI MSDT 33859
Prime Scuba

 

[Nismo]

From what I understand, the Flathead VI is used by the Navy Seals. Zeagle makes a great product. However, they all probably perform fairly equally, or at least they should.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

In my opinion the Scubapro Mk 17 is currently the most reliable cold water first stage made and the Metal air barrelled G250V makes a great cols water second stage.

The advantage of the Mk 17 over some other cold water designs is that it has a fully sealed dry ambient chamber with no gimics, greases, oils or alcohols to leak or casue problems. It is also easy to work on in the filed with nothing more than a couple of pin spanners and a large cresent wrench.

 

[squidster]

I'm planning on doing some ice diving in the not too distant and am looking into getting some suitable regs. I've been doing some research and I've narrowed it down to the Apex XT100 or the Zeagle Flathead VI.

Any opinions or other suggestions? Key for me is reliability, ease of repair in a remote environment (I'm talking Antarctica here....) and cost factors in there as well as I'll be gearing up with at least two if not 3 sets.

Cheers!

The choices you mentioned are good ones.
I will add a couple more.
ScubaPro MK17/G250V
Oceanic eos
Sherwood SR1
I really like the design of the new EOS,I believe Oceanic is the preferred regulator for NOAA divers.
But i have always been a scuba pro man.
I resently purchased a oceanic reg,and i like it as well as my scuba pro.

 

[maged_mmh]

I would take Aquamaster's advice, although look for MK19 (if you can find it you're so lucky) since it has flexible hose configuration over mk17. also, S600 second is lighter but a bit more expensive