mistral regulators

[ninjaman68]

Hi Guys
Has anyone used the aqualung mistral regulator. Im considering it for recreational use are there any pitfalls with the double hose (besides the price!).
How does it compare with say the titan lx reg

cheers

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The Mistral uses a Titan first stage so raw performance is similar.

Where the reg is positioned is critical with a second stage as the level of the diaphragm relative to the mouth piece in the water column has a significant impact on breathing resistance.

As Double hose regs go, the new Mistral is a bit of a dog. The hoses are also too large (bascially drager rebreather hoses) and too bouyant. The reg has been discontinued and while the boxed limited edition Mistral still sells for over $500, the regular model should sell closer to $300-$400.

Personally, my double hose reg of choice is a DA Aquamaster that has been updated with a new Pheonix Nozzle to create a Phoenix Royal Aquamaster. It also uses Titan regulator components and the new nozzle adds 3 LP and HP ports that allow the use of modern octos, inflators etc.

I went a little overboard on mine and had the DA Aquamaster I started with rechromed, then added new reproduction hoses, mouthpiece, and silicone diaphragm, new exhaust valves and then the Pheonix nozzle on top of a full rebuild and topped it off with custom Pheonix Royal Aquamaster labels.

In order of preference I would choose:

Pheonix Royal Aquamaster
Royal Aquamaster
DA Aquamster

The latter two both have a hookah port that can be used to add modern low pressure accessories and with a long yoke can use an SPG via a banjo fitting.

If none of those options were available I'd use the new Mistral.

 

[Nemrod]

Or a Phoenix II Voit Navy V66. Yeah, never mind that 50 Fathom label, this is a 1964 Navy V66. I had to borrow the top can from my cherry 1961 50 Fathom, the Navy was smashed and I am having to bump it out and rechrome it.

I have a Titan LX, good regulator but like all single hose it jacks on my jaw and teeth and blows bubbles obscuring my vison and battering my ears. The new Mistral, yeah, if you must but it is not the real deal. Just go ahead in get your self a Titan LX, it is a fine regulator. The twin hosers are a different animal, especially the modified and antique units we have pictured. I grew up with them, leanred to dive with them, the original Mistral. I admit they are not for everybody. If--if, somebody were to hand you a good DA Aqua Master then by all means send it in to Vintage Double Hose for a rebuild.

The Phoenix I and Phoenix II as I have been diving now for a few years and DA just finally got around to are the cat's meow. If the sky is the limit then it is an amazing piece of equipment. Twin hosers require that you know a little about how they work since you will need to do some repairs yourself, your not going to find anyone in Cozumel or wherever who knows anything about them for a quick repair so you will have to do it yourself. Most of us twin hose divers do our own work. I learned to dive with the original Mistral in 1966, I never really came to grips with sissy single hosers. I guess they are an aquired taste, not that there is anything wrong with them, you know, if that is who you are. The new Mistral, unless you got money to burn, just get a Titan LX and be happy like all the other people who don't know any better. Good luck to you.

N

 

[mdkpsk]

I just started using my modern mistral and I found it to be a lot of fun to use. I do quite a few under water pics and it really is a huge plus with no bubbles in my face. As far as how it feels underwater I love it. I have heard that it is an air hog but I don't see any difference between it and my scuba pro 555 or my scubapro gp250. The only down side I experienced was the hoses that want to float. I got used to this fairly quick and I love to use it. Granted that if you have never used a double hoser it will take some getting use to. I originally got to use a vintage mistral and loved from the first time I used it. That is why I decided get the modern version. I have even gotten used to keeping the mouth piece below the second stage to keep it from free flowing on the surface. I would like to get vintage double hosers in the future to restore and use. If anyone can help with where to buy from reputable sellers please let me know.

 

[Nemrod]

Hey, as to getting the real twin hosers and rebuilding them it is easy. Ebay is full of them. Good DA Aqua Masters are still affordable and they are a top notch double hose regulator. Rebuilds/parts are available from Vintage Double Hose and Vintage Scuba Supply - Antique Diving Gear Two Hose Regulators . There are a couple of other people who do rebuilds and tuneups. I have sold a few myself but I only sold them so I could get something else, it is not a money maker for me. Root around locally, ask at clubs, ask older divers, find out of the way dive shops, hit up old Unlce John. I got a mint--NOS--Royal Aqua Master sans box that had lived in a sock and underwear dresser drawer for nearly four decades!!!!!!!!!!!!! and I did not pay hardly anything for it. Ebay is a good source. Any double hose is collectable but for a "diver" at least start out with the USD Aqua Masters or Voit Navy (high dolar) or a USD Mistral etc. Why, simply because they are more common and there is a good source of complete parts and rebuilds and lot's of "tribal" knowledge to support them. Caution, Phoenix conversion kits come and go in availability unlike the majority of other parts. There is something of a twin hose golden age going on in the vintage and traditional diver worlds with more parts and better parts and unimagined mods available than when the twin hose regulators were still being produced. Good luck,oh,some people have installed the rebreather type weights on the Mistral hoses to help combat the floatiness. This is not a problem on the oldies.

BTW, regulators have very little if anything to do with air consumption, that is a function of the diver sucking on it 99%.
N

 

[DA Aquamaster]

There are some very good deals now and then. I bought my very nice near mint Royal Aquamaster at an auction for $50 and it had a new set of hoses and a recent rebuild by Bryan to boot. I still feel guilty.

 

[TN Traveler]

There are some very good deals now and then. I bought my very nice near mint Royal Aquamaster at an auction for $50 and it had a new set of hoses and a recent rebuild by Bryan to boot. I still feel guilty.

DA - I hate you for that

But you and N are soooooooo right - there is nothing like a DAAM or a converted PRAM - they are just such sweet breathers - not to mention that a double hose puts no strain on your jaw, the mouthpiece just sort of floats in your lips.

The new parts Bryan has produced for double hose regs has made them better than ever. Some modern materials like silicone, have just taken this equipment to a new level.

I learned on a DAAM in 1969 - and after taking many years off - I thought that the "new" single hose regs were a great improvement over my original double hose when I got recertified - but since getting my PRAM, I have to think that new is not necessarily better when it comes to design.

Of course I'd hate to see the price for a newly produced double hose made to the same standard of the old DAAM or RAM.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

DA - I hate you for that :

It gets worse. I actually bought three double hose regs that day including a DA Aquamaster, a Royal Aquamaster and a DA Navy Approved, all in excellent condition. It seems their value was $50.00 based on the amount of money the non vintage divers in attendence would pay to hang one on the wall. When I bid $60 for the DA Aquamaster that sold first and made it apparent I was willing to pay twice that for each of the other two, I ended up being the only bidder on them with a $50 starting bid.

 

[TN Traveler]

It gets worse. I actually bought three double hose regs that day including a DA Aquamaster, a Royal Aquamaster and a DA Navy Approved, all in excellent condition. It seems their value was $50.00 based on the amount of money the non vintage divers in attendence would pay to hang one on the wall. When I bid $60 for the DA Aquamaster that sold first and made it apparent I was willing to pay twice that for each of the other two, I ended up being the only bidder on them with a $50 starting bid.

I thought all those folks in Northern VA overpaid for everything -

You're not supposed to get bargains up there. :mooner:

I am totally jealous :drooling:

 

[herman]

It gets worse. I actually bought three double hose regs that day including a DA Aquamaster, a Royal Aquamaster and a DA Navy Approved, all in excellent condition. It seems their value was $50.00 based on the amount of money the non vintage divers in attendence would pay to hang one on the wall. When I bid $60 for the DA Aquamaster that sold first and made it apparent I was willing to pay twice that for each of the other two, I ended up being the only bidder on them with a $50 starting bid.

I was going to cut you some slack for the one but now I have to hate you as well.