Most optimal deco regulator for 80%/100% O2

[elan]

I'm planning to take AN/DP within this year and slowly preparing the gear.

What regulator would you recommend for using with 80%/100% O2? I spoke to few experienced dives including a couple of instructors, and there seems to be no consensus.

Some recommend to go with hi performance ones like Apeks DS4 or Zeagle DS-V.

One person told me to keep it simple and go with SP MK2 as it is a flow by piston and has a low flow rate which is good for O2 and it is very simple reg to service.

We dive mostly in fresh water (Great Lakes and St Lawrence) I do not expect to do any decompression dives in temps lower that 40F possibly even not lower than 45F.

If MK2 is what you would recommend what would be a god second stage? I think by default it comes with R295.

Thanks a lot in advance.

P.S. I would prefer to stick to Apeks, SP or Zeagle as those are the makes I currently have.

 

[Fishpie]

I found that a swivel was a slight advantage on a deco/stage reg.
Easy to keep the hose nice a close to the tank when tucked under the rubber inner tube rings and comfortable in the mouth when deployed.
I used MK 10's or DST's.
If I was buying today I'd still go with the DST (or one of the good copies).

If you decide on the MK2 I'd use a G250 or an Apeks copy.

 

[Teller]

HOG D1 can be used with 100% O2 up to 2400 psi out of the box and they make great cold water regs.

 

[elan]

Thanks Teller, I would pass on HOG for different reasons...

 

[Kunundrum]

I like the MK2 - R295/395 for Deco/Stages

1. Inexpensive (it it were to get bashed around and damaged)
2. Very simple design, and few moving parts
3. Light weight
4. available in DIN
5. the R295/395 can have the hose adjusted from left to right depending on how it's going to be "sligned".
6. if you add a low pressure swivel adaptor you get get the hose to tuck in very nicely just like a turret regulator but for a fraction of the cost.

The Subgear Aruba is a MK2/R295, in Canada it's available only as Yoke, though it can be converted to DIN using the Scubapro Kit. So this would be worth considering too for the same reasons.

 

[Ulfhedinn]

Thanks Teller, I would pass on HOG for different reasons...

Do you mind telling me what reasons? I have a set I plan to use for this.

---------- Post added April 8th, 2012 at 08:12 AM ----------

HOG D1 can be used with 100% O2 up to 2400 psi out of the box and they make great cold water regs.

If 2400psi out of the box what does it take to make it 3000psi?

 

[Aqua-Andy]

Do you mind telling me what reasons? I have a set I plan to use for this.

---------- Post added April 8th, 2012 at 08:12 AM ----------



If 2400psi out of the box what does it take to make it 3000psi?

Drop the O2 percentage to 80%, now they are good to 300PSI. HOG does not recommend there regs to be used over 2400PSI with 100% O2 no mater what you do to them. I believe this goes along with CGA standards and CGA does not recommend any reg be used over 2400PSI with 100% O2, This is at least how it was explained to me. I know the medical industry keeps O2 pressures below 2400PSI and they deal with oxygen way more than the dive industry does.

 

[SeaCobra]

a couple of things to consider:

you will be spending a good deal of time on this reg, so get a comfy one

what other regs do you already own? perhaps stay in the same make and model to make field repair and service easier

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Actually 3400 at 80%. I use D-1's for all my stages and back gas.

 

[Aqua-Andy]

Actually 3400 at 80%. I use D-1's for all my stages and back gas.

I just checked my HOG repair manual(from DRIS) and it states 3000 at 80%. But this is kind of a moot point as most people use aluminium stage bottles so you are still held to the 3000PSI limit of the bottle. I've heard a few issues with exploding SCUBA tanks with high PPO2 levels, maybe we should nip this in the bud and follow CGA standards before the government feels the need to intervene. I sure don't want the reg/valve crap they are seeing in Europe to be imposed on us.