Need help deciding between regs

[Linesider5]

Hey everyone,
I have been lurking for some time now, but since I will be completing my OW certification this weekend, I decided it was time to register. I'm really excited because I've been wanting to get certified for some time now, but just have not had the time until this summer. Anyway, after searching the forum, I have narrowed my reg choices to either a scubapro or a zeagle. After hearing a lot of good things about zeagle, I was leaning their way since I will be purchasing one of their BCs and I believe I can get a good deal on their regs. However, a friend of mine who is an instructor told me to buy a scubapro regulator saying that they're very reliable and they have been out a lot longer. Getting either one serviced will not be a problem because I have authorized LDSs around me. My next question, should I purchase the best reg I can afford or should I buy something basic, then upgrade down the road? Any help would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to spending countless hours on this forum.

 

[hardhat]

If you are going to be doing much traveling, ie. out of country, you want something that can be worked on anywhere you go. Zeagle isn't that popular of a brand of reg. set. Scuba-pro, you can find pretty much anywhere in the world. If you upgrade down the road then you have a desent reg. that you can use as a back up or as a stage bottle reg., a bail out reg. I would go for what I could afford, this is the kind of activity that you get what you pay for. All regs. are going to breath, but how well, or easy they breath is kind of directly proportional to how much you spend. Diaphram is better the piston. Do a little reading and research what you are going to spend money on. What ever you do, don't buy used, you don't know what you are getting, unless it's bought through a shop and being torn completely down and rebuilt before being sold, and a warranty is with it. By the time you pay for a used reg. out of a shop, you may aswell cough up the little bit extra and buy a new reg. set.

 

[jmps]

I have been doing reg shopping with goals much like yours. I have it narrowed down to the Aqualung Titan LX Supreme or the Legend. From what I have read here they are very widely used regs and you can get service just about anywhere. The Titan is a great value and the Legend is a great breather for a bit more money. The other reg that is used everywhere is the Sherwood Oasis (or the like). Good luck in your choices. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Vie]

Diaphram is better the piston.

The above statement is just plain wrong. There are advantages and disadvantages to both diaphragm and piston (depending on application/type of diving). Zeagle AND Scubapro make great regs and your choice should be based on your personal preference(s) and availability of future parts/service. I would avoid buying a cheap reg only to upgrade later—OTOH, Scubapro’s basic model, the MK2+/R190, is a bulletproof reg with a solid reputation. My personal Scubapro choice would be a MK25/G250. I have not tried any recent Zeagle regs and the ones I have used were the old line of Apeks-designed Zeagles.

 

[BrianS]

You can find good info in the Equipment forums.

 

[Spoon]

imho you have more choices other than the two you mentioned. i researched a long time before i got my first reg and i dint end up getting my original 1st choice beascue of the stuff and addtl info i learned from this wonderful board. take your time, do your homework and choose wisely.

 

[toodive4]

Use what the Pros use...

To support this statement I suggest looking up a Magazine called "Fathoms." To me, the most respectable dive magazine on the market. No advertisers (manufacturers) paying for nice write ups. What you will get in one of the issues - unfortunately I can't remember which issue - so someone help me out - is where about 25 professional divers ranging from FT Underwater Photographers to Commercial Divers and everything in between were interviewed and asked which regulators they use. About 20 of the 25 were using Scubapro.

My wife and I have been diving Scubapro for a combined 25 years of diving without a single regulator problem. Now Scubapro along with all others has made a few sub-par regulators. The ones you would definately WANT TO BUY are either the entry level MK2+ R190 ( a solid performer - basically unchanged in the last 20 years,) the MK16 + S550 (a great regulator for demanding conditions) or the top of the line MK25 + G250 (they may try to match the MK25 with the S600 or S650 - but don't let them.) I have tried other regs that the mainstream mags rank as "Top Performers," and believe me they are not. Stay away from Zeagle, Aeris, Atomic, Mares, Tusa and a few others.

To prove I'm not a Scubapro plant, I'll also recommend the other top brands. Aqualung / Apeks, Dive Rite and Cressi-Sub all make excellent regs that I have used in all conditions and perform very well. If you would like models of these - let me know, but Scubapro is definately the best choice in regs.

Ken Barrick

Hey everyone,
I have been lurking for some time now, but since I will be completing my OW certification this weekend, I decided it was time to register. I'm really excited because I've been wanting to get certified for some time now, but just have not had the time until this summer. Anyway, after searching the forum, I have narrowed my reg choices to either a scubapro or a zeagle. After hearing a lot of good things about zeagle, I was leaning their way since I will be purchasing one of their BCs and I believe I can get a good deal on their regs. However, a friend of mine who is an instructor told me to buy a scubapro regulator saying that they're very reliable and they have been out a lot longer. Getting either one serviced will not be a problem because I have authorized LDSs around me. My next question, should I purchase the best reg I can afford or should I buy something basic, then upgrade down the road? Any help would be greatly appreciated and I look forward to spending countless hours on this forum.

 

[Spoon]

Use what the Pros use...

To support this statement I suggest looking up a Magazine called "Fathoms." To me, the most respectable dive magazine on the market. No advertisers (manufacturers) paying for nice write ups. What you will get in one of the issues - unfortunately I can't remember which issue - so someone help me out - is where about 25 professional divers ranging from FT Underwater Photographers to Commercial Divers and everything in between were interviewed and asked which regulators they use. About 20 of the 25 were using Scubapro.

My wife and I have been diving Scubapro for a combined 25 years of diving without a single regulator problem. Now Scubapro along with all others has made a few sub-par regulators. The ones you would definately WANT TO BUY are either the entry level MK2+ R190 ( a solid performer - basically unchanged in the last 20 years,) the MK16 + S550 (a great regulator for demanding conditions) or the top of the line MK25 + G250 (they may try to match the MK25 with the S600 or S650 - but don't let them.) I have tried other regs that the mainstream mags rank as "Top Performers," and believe me they are not. Stay away from Zeagle, Aeris, Atomic, Mares, Tusa and a few others.

To prove I'm not a Scubapro plant, I'll also recommend the other top brands. Aqualung / Apeks, Dive Rite and Cressi-Sub all make excellent regs that I have used in all conditions and perform very well. If you would like models of these - let me know, but Scubapro is definately the best choice in regs.

Ken Barrick

cressi is at the bottom of my list, my number one pick is the apeks, works as good as my poseidon.

 

[lorien]

Personally I ahve the ScubaPro MK25 S600 and have been using it for 2 years and ahve almost 200 dives on it and I love it. However, if you can try out any reg you are thinking of buying before buying it and see how YOU like it and how it breathes for you, etc. I tried the Titan several times and I hated it. Others like it. Personal preferance. I would buy the best reg I could afford out of the ones I really liked. I would make sure I was buying a balanced reg.

 

[Air Scooby]

Use what the Pros use...

To support this statement I suggest looking up a Magazine called "Fathoms." To me, the most respectable dive magazine on the market. No advertisers (manufacturers) paying for nice write ups. What you will get in one of the issues - unfortunately I can't remember which issue - so someone help me out - is where about 25 professional divers ranging from FT Underwater Photographers to Commercial Divers and everything in between were interviewed and asked which regulators they use. About 20 of the 25 were using Scubapro.

My wife and I have been diving Scubapro for a combined 25 years of diving without a single regulator problem. Now Scubapro along with all others has made a few sub-par regulators. The ones you would definately WANT TO BUY are either the entry level MK2+ R190 ( a solid performer - basically unchanged in the last 20 years,) the MK16 + S550 (a great regulator for demanding conditions) or the top of the line MK25 + G250 (they may try to match the MK25 with the S600 or S650 - but don't let them.) I have tried other regs that the mainstream mags rank as "Top Performers," and believe me they are not. Stay away from Zeagle, Aeris, Atomic, Mares, Tusa and a few others.

To prove I'm not a Scubapro plant, I'll also recommend the other top brands. Aqualung / Apeks, Dive Rite and Cressi-Sub all make excellent regs that I have used in all conditions and perform very well. If you would like models of these - let me know, but Scubapro is definately the best choice in regs.

Ken Barrick

Why not pair the Mk25 with the S600? Just curious since that's what I did and really like it.