Is SP still one of the best today?

[AquaNSun]

In your opinion/experience, is Scubapro still one of the best in terms of quality regulators based on it's history and number of regulators produced since its beginning? Does SP design fancy regulators to make more sales with unnecessary features/parts and has it's quality gone down to cut cost? I understand that most divers are brand loyal so feel free to express your opinions as well. Be nice, no fighting. Thanks.

 

[RJP]

is Scubapro still one of the best in terms of quality regulators based on it's history

So you're asking if they are currently one of the best, based on their history?

Whether or not they are currently one of the best - by definition - has nothing to do with what they've done historically, no?



That pedantic detail notwithstanding, SP makes top-quality products and while many folks dislike their pricing/warranty/on-line policies, their products are certainly top-shelf. However, it's important to note that nearly EVERY commercially available regulator is of very high-quality, with the main differences being marginal improvements in performance and/or features appropriate to specific diving purposes or environments. (ie: environmental sealing, heat sinks, tuning knobs, etc.)

For all practical purposes, EVERY current manufacturer is "one of the best" in terms of the quality of regulators they are selling today.

 

[H2O 70]

IMO ScubaPro is the North Face of scuba gear. They make good stuff, but there is better stuff out there. I for one think Apeks makes a better regulator.

 

[scubaflier]

sp is still as good or better than it ever was.
divers arent as good as they used to be.

 

[Hank658]

I use SP regs, as well as other brands. The SP's, at least for me, perform more consistently and reliably. I have also parted with regs from other manufacturers when finding rebuild parts became a scavenger hunt. SP still supplies parts for 30+ year old regs.

That being said, other manufacturers also make great equipment. Apeks, AquaLung, Atomic are all top shelf. Sherwood, while not being the 'fanciest' or most 'gimmiky' , are virtually bulletproof and just keep on performing.

 

[AquaNSun]

Regulators improve over time through technology and research done by design teams and so historical track record has something to do with how they build their regulators today. For example, they design regulators to use the same parts, mostly, for a reason to keep up with performance consistency and simplicity. With that, they don't start from scratch but improve upon past designs. From a historical viewpoint, how solidly had they been in the past as compared to today? Same with Aqua lung, great regulators built upon solid history. Are they still as good today - I guess that's a good question.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

.... For all practical purposes, EVERY current manufacturer is "one of the best" in terms of the quality of regulators they are selling today.

1+

As far as "then" versus "now"? I'd prefer a return to less plastic, more good old marine brass in 2nd stages.

In the old days, we dove with "big brass ones"; today, "small plastic ones" :blinking:

Best wishes.

 

[Couv]

Old Days? My big brass ones are old, but they still work; so I wouldn't know if the new plastic ones are any better.

c

 

[Packhorse]

Is SP still one of the best today?
Yes. Yes indeed.
Are some of their older regs comparable to the best of today?
Same answer.

 

[a22shady]

I have Scubapro and Love them.
I also Have Atomic and are fantastic 2. These are top choices. I have heard great things about Apeks but have not had the oppertunity to try them yet