Most Versatile Regulator

[namabiru]

If the OP was going to dive in Ice water and Contaminated water then no doubt the MK17 would be choice over the MK25. However, The MK25 is a cold water regulator WITH anti-freeze protection. The X650 is not the smallest 2nd stage in the world, and then again it's not the largest. Again if size were an issue then possible he would have mentioned the fact that he wanted a certain size or look, in which case there are several other options. To quote the 2007 catalog, " The X650 is the best performing second stage of the SCUBAPRO line as it requires 20% less exhalation effort than any other 2nd stage, because of it's unparalleled air flow characteristics." I have dove in cold water to depths over 100 feet several time, I knew I had a superior main rig the first time I had to switch from my main rig to a stage bottle on my way back up at 50 feet. It wasn't exactly labored breathing, but it sure made me appreciate the way the 25/650 set up breathes. Just my 2 cents. By no means do I consider myself an expert, was just wondering for my own curiosity about some of the other recomendations...Cheers and see ya below.

I'm a chick yo--look at my cool avatar.

 

[cerich]

Hands down Sherwood Blizzard
http://www.diverightinscuba.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=86_90&products_id=432

I disagree, while excellent at a varity of tasks, it is not a reg. that transitions well to technical diving. a/ it doesn't breath well past 170 or so a b/ the dry air bleed on the first is a PITA for doing bubble checks.

Yes I've owned one.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

You want a regulator that is going to work well in the temperates/tropics and then as a good "entry level reg" when you move into deep/wrecks, but is also okay for cold water/ice diving--it would serve the purpose until you were able to save money to purchase a regulator better suited for your deep expeditions (or rather you had a better idea of what you wanted through gaining diving experience)

From her post, I didnt think she needed anything too crazy like some people are recommending....That is why I made that recommendation....I think some people forgot what she was asking for when they made their recommendations

 

[namabiru]

Originally I said money wasn't a factor, but I'm also wondering if it would be more cost-effective to purchase a regulator to which you could later add the cold water pack should you require it, than to purchase a regulator that has cold water capabilities right from the start but then not turn around and really use it for cold water. Then again, chances are by the time you decided you wanted to add cold water pack the regulator would either be discontinued or else there would be something much better on the market, so you're probably better off going with the cold water from the start.

It's a tough call. I think I'd be more inclined to purchase a reg. that has everything from the start and get the use out of it. Even if it became a backup, or something.

The other hard thing is that I'm still relatively new to diving. What I think is a good reg. now I might not like later once I start "stretching her sea legs" a bit more. So in that sense I also wonder if it might not be better to purchase a mid-market regulator that's more for tropical, get some more diving in, gradually stretch my boundaries, do some deep dives, and decide if I really do want to go deep in the ocean before spending the money to get "bells and whistles" that I won't use, when a cheaper Aqualung or something would have worked fine. It would be like driving a Cadillac to deliver pizzas.

I keep watching the SB classifieds, and I may just end up picking up something, diving with it for a bit, and then upgrading. I could always use the "used" reg. for a backup, or for a pony bottle, or have it cleaned and make it my dedicated nitrox reg if it's rated for that use.

 

[in_cavediver]

Originally I said money wasn't a factor, but I'm also wondering if it would be more cost-effective to purchase a regulator to which you could later add the cold water pack should you require it, than to purchase a regulator that has cold water capabilities right from the start but then not turn around and really use it for cold water. Then again, chances are by the time you decided you wanted to add cold water pack the regulator would either be discontinued or else there would be something much better on the market, so you're probably better off going with the cold water from the start.

It's a tough call. I think I'd be more inclined to purchase a reg. that has everything from the start and get the use out of it. Even if it became a backup, or something.

The other hard thing is that I'm still relatively new to diving. What I think is a good reg. now I might not like later once I start "stretching her sea legs" a bit more. So in that sense I also wonder if it might not be better to purchase a mid-market regulator that's more for tropical, get some more diving in, gradually stretch my boundaries, do some deep dives, and decide if I really do want to go deep in the ocean before spending the money to get "bells and whistles" that I won't use, when a cheaper Aqualung or something would have worked fine. It would be like driving a Cadillac to deliver pizzas.

I keep watching the SB classifieds, and I may just end up picking up something, diving with it for a bit, and then upgrading. I could always use the "used" reg. for a backup, or for a pony bottle, or have it cleaned and make it my dedicated nitrox reg if it's rated for that use.

There were several regs that were mentioned earlier that have everything your looking for at a good price. IE, look at the Dive Rite and Salvos. I own two Dive Rites and can say having taken it in both deep (190ish) and cold water (40's), its an excellent reg and relatively cheap too! It is sold with and without the ICE cold water kit and parts/manuals are available if you want to service it.

 

[namabiru]

Mmm! That's a good point. I looked at prices too, and I can still get something reasonable, plus I noticed that Dive Rite (I think it was Dive Rite, it may have been Sherwood, I can't remember) offered manuals for downloading right on their site. Naturally I'd spend some time learning, as well as consulting other experienced equipment-servicing divers, before starting on my own stuff. The prices I saw on Dive Rite Express were downright reasonable. As I've said, though, I was really hoping maybe Aqualung would decide their "get a free octo" promotion was so good they had to do it again. That way I could put the octo money towards the guages and save money. I got that PADI Diving Society guide in the mail, but it mostly looks like recreational equipment. But you can still get a couple of decent deals. If you go with a Scuba Pro set (reg and BC) you get $150 back. Not too bad.

 

[hunter991]

If you need any help with salvo or dive rite let me know.

Brent