My first Regulator...

[joeSteve1006]

I'm starting to buy my own gear and realized I don't know much about them. I was looking at the Sherwood Brut because I have heard they are very reliable. Any suggestions on an inexpensive and reliable regulator?
Thanks
Joe

 

[Jimmer]

There are lots of options, Sherwoods, Scubapro Mk2, Oceanic Alpha series. Do you have any requirements of a reg other than reliability? Such as cold water capable, adjustable, etc?

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I have dove the Brut it is a good reg. If you want to stay with Sherwood, I like the Blizzard better (my wife has one).

I have 2 Zeagles an Envoy which is about the same $$ as the blizzard and a DS-V which is more.

Good luck.

 

[halocline]

Lots and lots of choices, and many people will just recommend what they have, which gives you a pretty good indication that almost any reg made by a reputable company will work fine. I think it's fairly important to know how and where you will get service on the reg before you buy, so if you have a LDS that you like and feel that they will do a good job servicing, then you can buy something from them. Just don't get talked into a high end reg; and if they even insinuate that the higher end regs are safer (isn't your life worth....) then walk away and find someplace else.

I wanted to buy a reg right after my OW course, so I bought the low end SP MK2/R190 on the advice of my instructor. I have a feeling he got chastised by the store owner for not trying to sell me a higher end reg, because the owner (incredibly enough) seemed a little steamed that I wasn't buying a MK25. Anyhow, the MK2 has worked great and I still have it, although I rarely use it because I have a bit of a "problem" with older SP regs. The problem is I buy them and tinker with them.

I'm not too familiar with the brut, but sherwoods are generally unbalanced piston regs like the MK2 and have the reputation of being very simple, reliable, and easy to service, all good things.

 

[Underwater Ogre]

Aqualung Titan...ask anyone...no negative things said about it.

 

[joeSteve1006]

not really Jimmer, just finished an OW course myself, want something that will be versatile to many situations, reliable, and cost effective.

 

[mfalco]

If going with the Sherwood, I would get any other than the Brut. I believe the rest of them are all balanced designs.

 

[fisherdvm]

I'll bet if you get a used balanced blizzard, oasis, or maximus, and get it serviced, it will cost less than a new brut. Then you'll get a cold water better breathing reg. Of course, after you buy it, the yearly service cost will be the same whether it is a brut or a better sherwood reg. The brut is unbalanced, and the second stage can freeze (doesn't have those warming fins).

 

[terrillja]

Aqualung Titan...ask anyone...no negative things said about it.

Maybe not the reg itself, but I dislike Aqualung's online sales policy. Same goes for Atomic. Just an FYI to the OP, if you buy an Aqualung or Apeks or Atomic reg online, it's probably a gray market reg, since those companies do not allow the sales of the products over the internet. I personally dive Oceanic GT3s, which I have been very happy with. One suggestion is to call Scubatoys.com since they will offer advice without pushing you to buy. Great guys to deal with.

 

[naedward81]

From all the research I have done, the Zeagle's seem to be the most the bang for the buck.