Looking for online US based retailer of 02/Nitrox Regs

[Zeke XA3]

Hey folks,

I need to buy a set of regs for my deco course.

Down here its expensive but i have a small window where i can get something brought down from the states if i get it delivered to a friend before their holiday.

Question is where can i buy some. What is a good online store and...

A lot of "Nitrox" regs are only up to 40%, can these be prepared for up to 100% use, how can I tell before I buy? It its a nitrox reg but does not specify a % does this mean its up to 100% or just a lazy retailer not putting down all the info???

And i know the 1st and 2nd stage need to be O2 clean/Nitrox rated but what about the LP inflator and pressure gauge? I assume they would too but never seen a Nitrox pressure gauge or LPI for sale!

 

[VooDooGasMan]

leisure pro has oms regs for like 150 something, 100% 02, din set up, maybe you can get yoke if you ask, email them.

Happy Diving

 

[halocline]

There's no such thing as a nitrox reg, regardless of what you hear in a dive shop or read in a magazine. All regs, with the exception of some titanium regs, are fine for use with nitrox up to 40% O2. Higher O2 content than that, and they need to be O2 cleaned, which really just means very careful cleaning with an O2 compatible cleaner, use of viton o-rings, and lubrication with O2 safe lube like Christolube or Tribolube.

So forget about the whole "nitrox-ready" bit when it comes to dive gear. If your tech instructor is not clear on this, find a new one. O2 cleaning, for higher than 40% O2, can be done by any decent tech who is familiar with it. You might be able to buy O2 clean regs new, but to be honest I don't know. If there's nobody in Cancun or Playa that can help you (which I would find very hard to believe given the cave community in playa) just buy a used reg in the states and have it sent directly to a competent tech. DA Aquamaster on this forum would be an excellent choice. Tell the tech you want the reg O2 cleaned. As far as the SPG goes, I believe that O2 cleaning involves cleaning the spool with the right solvent, installing viton o-rings on it, and lubing with Christolube. As far as the LP inflator hose goes, you could put a viton o-ring in it, I suppose. One reason you rarely hear about that is because backgas used for inflating the wing is rarely 40% or higher. Most high O2 concentrations are in deco bottles with no inflator hose.

 

[Zeke XA3]

Thanks Mattboy, that kinda confirmed what i though that

"Normal" Regs contain the bog standard plastic and rubber bits.
"Nitrox" Regs have been 02 cleaned, O rings replaced etc.

Of course it seems a little cheaper to buy "Nitrox" (out of box ready) regs than buy "normal" and get cleaned. But if im going to be doing my tech course ill need them 02 cleaned anyway so the "nitox to 40%" regs direct from the shop will need to be o2 cleaned!

Just getting into the Tech side so dont know many people in the cave community but i know one or two who im sure if i asked could get O2 clean my regs, hopefully for a decent price. The main cost is still buying a set, cheaper in all way to buy from the states!!! So now just off to hunt for a cheap, balanced and non lethal set of regs!

(my tech instructor has given me a list of things needed and specified that the side mount regs need to have LPI which is why i asked)

Voodoo man, just seen those OMS, cheap for a reg and 100% O2 clean out of box, seems like a bargain!!

 

[rrweather]

Dive Gear Express sells Deco bottles that are good to 100% O2 and come with a mini spg. Specialty Regulators by Dive Rite - Dive Gear Express

 

[spyder]

I bought Mares M12 100% O2 from the factory. Scubatoys had them for like $160 or so. I got mine at a local dive shop, they had to call the Mares rep to get them. Local tech shop is not happy with the OMS deco regs. Expensive and problems supposedly but I personally don't own so YMMV.