Mixing brands

[teknitroxdiver]

Is it okay to mix brands of regulators and first stages? I have a Aqua-lung Micra primary reg/first stage setup, and I want to replace my current octo with one of these: Dacor Eagle, Mares Proton, Sherwood Standard. (all in octo version)

Which is best out of those? I'm planning on doing the 7' primary hose with neclace for the alternate, so I need a low-profile octo.

thanks.

 

[ScubaDadMiami]

Ask a tech. Different regulators are based on different intermediate pressure settings. Usually, if the second stage works within these limits, many of them can be used.

 

[nyresq]

you can mix and match any first and second stage regs as long as the intermediate pressure is the same or within the accepted range quoted by the manufacturer for the second stage. the second stage doesn't know what brand the first is... it only knows the pressure its getting. most regs are within a few PSI (125-140)on the intermediate side with the exception of some Poseidon’s which are higher by quite a bit

 

[miketsp]

I've always mixed and matched. Started when I had a whistling piston type 1st stage. And when I go on a trip I always carry spare 2nd stage & SPG which have been lent to other people on several occasions. Never felt any difference. As commented above, if the IP is in the range it should be OK.

 

[rescuediver009]

The only other stipulation not aforementioned is the consideration of overbalanced first stages and their compatability with non-balanced second stages. Like anything else there will be someone who disagrees with me, but you will not get the best performance out of any of the octos you mentioned if your first stage is overbalanced, which your titan is not. So any of the octos that you mentioned are ok. If anything I would recommend the Aqualung LPO. Not that there is anything wrong with the ones that you have chosend, but it maintains a consistancy with your regs for when you want them serviced you don't have to drag them to mulitple locations, and it also meets your low profile criteria.
Take a look.
http://www.aqualung.com/products/lpo.html

 

[scubatoys]

Is it okay to mix brands of regulators and first stages? I have a Aqua-lung Micra primary reg/first stage setup, and I want to replace my current octo with one of these: Dacor Eagle, Mares Proton, Sherwood Standard. (all in octo version)

Which is best out of those? I'm planning on doing the 7' primary hose with neclace for the alternate, so I need a low-profile octo.

thanks.

Yea, no problem, and if you want low profile, and an octo that works upside down as well as right side up, maybe the Dacor Viper over the Dacor Eagle.

 

[teknitroxdiver]

Take a look.
http://www.aqualung.com/products/lpo.html

Actually that's the octo I've got now. After tearing the mouthpiece on my primary and having to finish the dive (~15 min) on the octo, I realised that I would NOT want someone to have to breathe of of it in an emergency--it breathes real hard.

Thanks everyone!

 

[rescuediver009]

Actually that's the octo I've got now. After tearing the mouthpiece on my primary and having to finish the dive (~15 min) on the octo, I realised that I would NOT want someone to have to breathe of of it in an emergency--it breathes real hard.

Thanks everyone!

I won't fight that. It is not the best. It is hard to find one like that does breathe good. Are you aure it was tuned properly? Even if it was they are not the best. One that I know that does breathe good when it is set up to, is the oceanic swivel or the omega. the omega is a little better. It is a servo assisted type almost like a poseidon, so it is a little more expensive. But it is one of the best ones I know. Even the swivel works good.
Swivel
Omega