Is it true that the balanced part is usually in the 1st stage not the 2nd stage?

[danielization]

I was shopping for octopus some days ago and I was asking if the octo is balanced or not.

The salesman at the dive shop told me that the balanced part is usually in the 1st stage not the 2nd stage.. so I'm pretty much set with any octopus I go with.

Is this true or not?

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

The salesman was maybe half right..... It totally depends on the brand and model.

Most 1st stages and many 2nd stages are balanced these days. Some brands use very basic 2nd stages for their octos, while some use the exact same 2nd stage but with a yellow cover.

Just because a 2nd stage is unbalanced does not mean it is "inferior". Some top-performing 2nd stages are unbalanced.... but today most manufacturers use balanced 2nd stages in their upper-end regulators, since balancing is so simple to accomplish, and can offer some slight advantages over unbalanced 2nd's... (but I like unbalanced 2nd's, they are generally simpler, and perform quite well).

Pick a good-quality octo, whether it is balanced or non-balanced. Pick quality first, balancing second.

Best wishes.

 

[danielization]

Thanks for the tip LeadTurn!

Hmm, by the way do you or does anyone here has an idea if the Cressi XS octopus below is balanced or not?

If I'm not wrong, Cressi patented Internal Balance Injection System is used in the 1st stage and not the 2nd stage right?

Cressi XS Octopus

 

[halocline]

It talks about some 'internal balance...' thing and says that ensures equal performance at depth. Balancing a regulator valve has nothing to do with how it responds to depth, so that's just typical marketing BS.

It's probably just a simple downstream valve like the SP R190 or many other similar regs. It'll work fine as an octo.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

danielization:

I did a quick search, and found this regarding the Cressi XS octo:

"All the mechanics are identical to the XS2 model and consists of a downstream side valve system, with adjustable orifice, simple and extremely reliable."

I read that as a classic downstream 2nd stage, with adjutable orifice, and I think from the picture on the site I found it has a Venturi switch. Probably not balanced...

I'm not familiar with Cressi regs, so I could be totally wrong about the above.

Again, balanced or unbalanced are minor issues (in my opinion) when choosing an octo.... I want one that is rugged, reliable, and is built well..... in other words, so you KNOW it will work if you ever need it.

Best wishes.