Mix and Match Regulators, First Regulator Purchase?

[herman]

I saw this on ebay maybe i will go with a bundle deal

POSEIDON SCUBA DIVE JETSTREAM MK3 REGULATOR KIT - eBay (item 120520076668 end time Mar-20-10 01:08:41 PDT)

You really need to reconsider that. Poseidons are a well known brand but it can be difficult to find a GOOD service tech when you need one - they are a different breed than most other regs- and the parts are very pricely, plus the regs themselves are high dollar. Odds are this one would not be covered under warranty (may but I doubt it, most eBay buys are not). Do yourself a big favor and stick with well know, easy to find dealer brands and buy one of their med ranged regs. You will pay a lot less and be just as happy....and maybe more so. Instead of eBay look to one of the well respected on line dealers, Scubatoys would be my best suggestion.

 

[scuga]

Thanks Herman. I was really interested because it seemed like the exhaust valve was well away from the face. We have a local dealer in Atlanta but on another thread someone told me they were very loud which turned me off.

I will probably do M1s with miflex hose since they don't come with the swivel.

 

[SandyRobinson]

I have no doubt. I really like the M1 first stage but I want the swivel and all titanium construction of the st1 seconds. I will probably end up with a M1 although recently someone told me that a mk17 and g250 is the way to go.

FWIW, I use an Atomics M1 and a Z2. My main buddies all use MK25s with a combo of 250/550/600 second stages. All of these regs breathe great. We also use some DiveRite 2500 and 3000 regs for stages which are good regs. I am sure I would say the same thing about Hollis and Apeks if my buddies dove those. If you buy a high end reg like an AA M1, SP MK25, etc, you can not go wrong.

The best thing to do is to pick a reg that will suit your needs (and I would consider the future) and also one that you can get serviced. I would consider the servicing aspect if you plan to buy online. It may or may not be an issue if you plan to have a LDS perform the servicing.

Good luck!

 

[Captain Larry]

I've been shopping for a regulator online and notice that some regulators are 1st stage only, some are second stage only, some are octo but the same name as the second stage, and some come as a package with first and second.

Is it possible to buy first stage separate specifically for Atomic?
Could I just buy another regulator and call it an Octo or are Octos made differently.

Would this be a good setup:

Atomic M1 First Stage
Atomic ST1 Second
Atomic ST1 Second (Octo)

Thanks

Any Atomic regulator will outperform the most expensive scubapro reg and give you more features for your dollar. Your setup is do-able. The first stages are almost identical so unless you're planning to run 80% oxygen you might consider the ST1 first stage with the environmental seal kit. The second stages for the ST1 are excellent.