Lightest Regulator Recommendations

[namabiru]

The best way to save a half pound is to LEAVE SOME CRAP THAT YOU DON’T NEED AT HOME.

*Namabiru sadly removes the water bottle filled with gasoline, the machete, and designer pink toilet paper from her checked luggage*

 

[SangP]

is it good? is it light? does it breathe easily? is it worth the $$? can you make any comparisons between it and say the oceanic titanium delta 3?

I will say it is pretty light but not ultralight, it breaths great and gives more than enough air for even 4 divers. I cannot compare it against the delta 3 ti but if you are willing to spend the extra $$$ for ti, you should be flying first or business class anyway LOL! Ti is not necessary and the weight savings is minimal. A couple of batteries will save you more weight.

If you look about on the internet you'll find great traveling tips on traveling light without getting into spending loads of $$$ just to save a few hundred grams.

SangP

 

[pakman]

Maybe it’s not me that needs to go back to Zzzing as much as it’s you that need to wake up. The best way to save a half pound is to LEAVE SOME CRAP THAT YOU DON’T NEED AT HOME.

and maybe some people on SB need to stop being such smartarses and internet know-it-alls. H20Baby had a legitimate question. His/ her post doesn't state that he/she hasn't already looked into reducing unneccessary gear from their luggage. The regional carriers he/she is going ARE strict, and not just on check-in luggage, so every lb counts.

I'm in similiar situation. Love my Apek's XTX200's, but it weights like brick and I don't have the luxury of carry it on all the time.

/end rant

 

[H2Obaby]

Maybe it’s not me that needs to go back to Zzzing as much as it’s you that need to wake up. The best way to save a half pound is to LEAVE SOME CRAP THAT YOU DON’T NEED AT HOME. If you can’t accomplish that, one work around is to put it in two bags instead of one. Even at 40# limit, that gives you 80# worth of retractors and miscellaneous dive trinkets to play with on your trip. All that would be in addition to what you have in your one carry-on bag plus one personal item limit. (Hint - the one personal item could be a regulator set inside of a reg bag) Can’t image the rig that would weigh 80# unless you’re carrying stage bottles and your own lead. Maybe you could help me out here:

The heaviest traveling rig I can think of:

SS Backplate w/ STA & wing – 15#
Fins – 4#
Mask – doesn’t matter because you carry it on
Computer/Bottom Timer – doesn’t matter because you carry it on
Exposure Protection – 20# (assume drysuit w/ accoutrements)
Regulator set – doesn’t matter because you carry it on
Boots – 4#
Cannister light – 10#
Backup lights – 3# x 2 = 6#
Weight belt – 1#
BFK – 3# (to strap to your leg)
Miscellaneous – 5# (compass, slate, retractors, etc.)

Total Checked Weight – 68#
Total Checked Weight w/ Titanium regulator – 68#

My own travel rig:

Alum Backplate w/ STA & wing – 10#
Fins – 4#
Mask – doesn’t matter because I carry it on
Computer/Bottom Timer – doesn’t matter because I carry it on
Exposure Protection – 3# (3mm full suit)
Regulator set – doesn’t matter because I carry it on
Boots – 4#
Backup lights – 3# x 2 = 6#
Weight belt – 1#
Miscellaneous – 5# (compass, slate, retractors, etc.)

Total Checked Weight – 30#
Fits in one checked bag and allows for a small SAD kit and clothes for several days in the tropics. Carry-ons fit in a single backpack.

The only people I can imagine throwing away $300-400 to save half a pound are either Aerospace Engineers or idiots. If you are saving a half pound because you are too lazy to carry it on, then guess which category I would put you in. If you check your regulator for the TSA monkeys to play with, then guess which category I would put you in. If that half pound is the difference between getting to the moon and back safely, or executing a 9G turn, then guess which category I would put you in.

If you’re just looking for an excuse to buy a titanium regulator, well, you don’t need an excuse. You just need the money. Go buy one.

There, now I’ll go back to Zzzing.

ZzzKing,

Thanks for taking the time to weigh your gear for me, that was really interesting.

Somehow you got caught up in why I need to justify getting a lighter reg set-up, really I wanted advice on what light-weight set up was worth buying.

However to put your mind at rest, the main reason I am seeking this advice is that Air Nuigini restricts carry on baggage to a measly 10lbs, and as I prefer to carry my reg on the plane with me along with my camera gear, I can see this being a problem. There isn't really an option at this time for me to buy a light-weight camera set-up without sacrificing the quality and capability of the equipment, however if I can do this will my reg then this seems to be a good idea.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, and I can see you don't think its worth replacing a heavy reg setup with a lighter one, but that's really all you needed to say.

 

[diversteve]

I have a T2, it weighs 1.7lbs. The Z2 weighs 2.3 lbs, the B2 weighs 2.4lbs. Add 5.4 to 5.9oz. for an octo. The 1st stage on the B2/Z2 weighs what my entire T2 does. But it cost me $1400 out the door. A less expensive alternative might be the Z2. As I recall, in the last review in Scubadiving, (called workhorse regs?...) the Z2 slightly outperformed the B2 also.

Since you're trying to keep the carry-on weight down, what about putting an SS1 (or similar) on your BC and eliminating the octo.

Every little bit helps when you've got a 10lb. restriction...

One more silly suggestion - unscrew the hoses, put the 2nd/hose in your carryon and drop the 1st stage in your pocket. Might get some weird looks going through security but it should buy you 1.5 lbs. or better.

 

[SangP]

However to put your mind at rest, the main reason I am seeking this advice is that Air Nuigini restricts carry on baggage to a measly 10lbs, and as I prefer to carry my reg on the plane with me along with my camera gear, I can see this being a problem. There isn't really an option at this time for me to buy a light-weight camera set-up without sacrificing the quality and capability of the equipment, however if I can do this will my reg then this seems to be a good idea.

Hi H2Obaby,

More info is always good and in this case it would have avoided lots of unnecessary posts. Since, you really want to bring your regs as carry ons you'll be surprise how a bit of DIY will save u lots of weight.

I stand behind my previous post of the various gear that are really light weight but add a small adjustable wrench, a couple of allen keys and a bit of elbow grease and you'll really save a lot of weight.

You could unscrew the hoses and spg from your 1st and 2nd stage and store them as checkins.

DA, if you are reading this post do you know the weight difference between a MK25AF vs a MK17?

SangP

 

[brdr882]

other than the plane restriction.... what is the point of purchasing a titanium reg (or anything) in scuba? does it work any better or differently? It seems like an awful lot of extra money to spend for a little less weight. and plus, if you have an extra pound attached to your cylinder thats one less you need in your weight pouch, right?

 

[ZzzKing]

ZzzKing,

Thanks for taking the time to weigh your gear for me, that was really interesting.

Somehow you got caught up in why I need to justify getting a lighter reg set-up, really I wanted advice on what light-weight set up was worth buying.

However to put your mind at rest, the main reason I am seeking this advice is that Air Nuigini restricts carry on baggage to a measly 10lbs, and as I prefer to carry my reg on the plane with me along with my camera gear, I can see this being a problem. There isn't really an option at this time for me to buy a light-weight camera set-up without sacrificing the quality and capability of the equipment, however if I can do this will my reg then this seems to be a good idea.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion, and I can see you don't think its worth replacing a heavy reg setup with a lighter one, but that's really all you needed to say.

And I guess I was reacting to being told to go back to sleep.

 

[diversteve]

other than the plane restriction.... what is the point of purchasing a titanium reg (or anything) in scuba? does it work any better or differently? It seems like an awful lot of extra money to spend for a little less weight. and plus, if you have an extra pound attached to your cylinder thats one less you need in your weight pouch, right?

In my case there were three factors:

1. The T2 is the best performing reg ever according to ScubaLabs. Most people I've talked to seem to agree - even my ScubaPro dealer.

2. The 1st stage is all titanium so no corrosion worries ever. The two year recommended service interval was a nice extra.

3. I could afford it. :14:

Doubt that it would matter much, but you can drop that 1lb. easier if it's part of your weights.

 

[divekatkeens]

Atomic T2 (first/second stage)
Atomic SS1 Titanium
DeepSeaSupply 17lb Torus (or TTWS) with hog and kydex backplate
Possibly one pair of ForceFins

Ure set for a really light travel rig!