Need one last thing
- Thread starter amerz
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Do you have any point of reference? Did you like any of the regs. you have used before?
Any price point/budget you're looking to stay under?
A little more info would help us help you.
Wiz
Any price point/budget you're looking to stay under?
A little more info would help us help you.
Wiz
beanojones
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Isn't Oceanic that has the bright blue reg sets?
diveandclimb
Contributor
Yeah the Alfa 8 is bright blue but it is also the absolute lowest end reg on the market and lack several features found in other Oceanics such as DVT (great feature which protects you 1st stage) and adjustable flow.
WOW, what a great start... looking at this one, what do you think?
Oceanic Alpha 8 (PX3) DVT Regulator
As for price, my safety is IMPORTANT.
Can I have suggestions for a (bargain & costly)
Unfortunately, I didn't pay attention to the one that I had borrowed before since I was focusing on SO MANY other things. (lol)
Thank you again, for the info so far!
It's a lot of info for someone who is just starting this sport
Oceanic Alpha 8 (PX3) DVT Regulator
As for price, my safety is IMPORTANT.
Can I have suggestions for a (bargain & costly)
Unfortunately, I didn't pay attention to the one that I had borrowed before since I was focusing on SO MANY other things. (lol)
Thank you again, for the info so far!
It's a lot of info for someone who is just starting this sport
halocline
Contributor
Price and safety have nothing to do with each other. In fact, the simple, flow by unbalanced piston design, like the SP MK2, is so reliable that failure is almost unheard of. When you buy an expensive reg, you're paying for extra performance, and in some cases, features that do very little to improve your diving experience.
The best thing to do would be to try out a few if you can, and get something you're comfortable with. It's important to buy a reg that you can get serviced easily in a variety of locations, like where you're likely to be diving.
There are lots of choices, and it can be pretty confusing. The good news is that pretty much all regs that are made by respected manufacturers will do the job fine in recreational diving.
The best thing to do would be to try out a few if you can, and get something you're comfortable with. It's important to buy a reg that you can get serviced easily in a variety of locations, like where you're likely to be diving.
There are lots of choices, and it can be pretty confusing. The good news is that pretty much all regs that are made by respected manufacturers will do the job fine in recreational diving.
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On the costlier end there's Atomic Aquatics. Definitely one of the better breathing regs you can buy.
The B2 at $725 list:
Or the Z2 at $435 list:
Either one breathes the same, the differences are primarily in materials (more Titanium in the B2 2nd stage) and the B2 has a swivel on the 1st stage turret - you can see it in the picture. Makes for better hose routing. It also has a swivel on the 2nd stage, it totally eliminates jaw fatigue.
I've owned two Atomics now, they breathe dry in any position. All models have a two year service interval.
The B2 at $725 list:
Or the Z2 at $435 list:
Either one breathes the same, the differences are primarily in materials (more Titanium in the B2 2nd stage) and the B2 has a swivel on the 1st stage turret - you can see it in the picture. Makes for better hose routing. It also has a swivel on the 2nd stage, it totally eliminates jaw fatigue.
I've owned two Atomics now, they breathe dry in any position. All models have a two year service interval.
anzac65
Contributor
(I don't own one, BTW)
ozziworld
Contributor
I would stay away from obscure brands as the most common reason a reg is no longer servicable is not poor performance. It mostly has to do with unavailability of parts and service.
So many divers are diving with twenty, thirty year old regs that perfom as well as newer models. These regs are still in service because of available parts and service.
So many Dacor regs that were well designed and with good performance were rendered useless when Dacor was sold and parts were no longer available.
The more units of a regulator were sold and are in service often determines the availabilty of parts.
The first thing to do to narrow down your choices is determine the most popular brands in your locality. This will give you an idea which brands are serviced and with a good supply of parts.
Second thing to do will be to determine which ones fit in your budget.
Third is try to dive the few that remain on your list and breathes to your liking. Since you are in Florida, no need to buy more than you need. You will not have to concern yourself with freezing regs.
So many divers are diving with twenty, thirty year old regs that perfom as well as newer models. These regs are still in service because of available parts and service.
So many Dacor regs that were well designed and with good performance were rendered useless when Dacor was sold and parts were no longer available.
The more units of a regulator were sold and are in service often determines the availabilty of parts.
The first thing to do to narrow down your choices is determine the most popular brands in your locality. This will give you an idea which brands are serviced and with a good supply of parts.
Second thing to do will be to determine which ones fit in your budget.
Third is try to dive the few that remain on your list and breathes to your liking. Since you are in Florida, no need to buy more than you need. You will not have to concern yourself with freezing regs.
Scared Silly
Contributor
I am going to second the Atomics - except I have dove them. The Z2 is a fine reg, my wife and I use them on our doubles. The covers come in blue and the octo is a stylish yellow.
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