Need Opinions on Oceanic's Present-Day-Status as "Best Entry Level Reg"

[Hatul]

Usually when retailers call something "entry level" what they really mean is "cheap".

For $400 you should be well on your way to saving enough for a high quality reg. A regulator is a long term investment and a good one will last for decades.

As for the Oceanic, the 1st stage is an unbalanced piston. Usually these regs are fairly reliable because of the simple design but not high on the performance curve and not well suited for cold water. The 2nd stage is also not balanced and the combination of the unbalanced 1st and 2nd stages makes for a regulator that I wouldn't recommend for deep diving.

So if you're not planning on diving in cold water or deep water now or at any point in the future then it's perfect. If not, well....

R..

That's my thinking as well. You buy a regulator and you're stuck with it for over 10 years, so the concept of entry level does not apply here.

Adam

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I used to recommend Oceanic and also their computers. But not too long ago, a guy on here posted an account of trying to get the company to cover a broken fin that was very new. The company rep made all kinds of excuses on this board and a number of posts and it took very, very long for the guy to get a stupid fin taken care of.

I will NOT buy anything Oceanic again. If they can not show decent customer service when everyone is watching on this board, then they sure aren't going to take care of you if you ever have a problem. There are many other brands to look at.

 

[Blue Sparkle]

I can only speak to the Comfo-bite mouthpiece, and, like others have said, I don't see any way that anyone other than you can know for sure whether you'd like it.

That said, I *love* the ones I have on my snorkels. I spent countless hours (and long days) snorkeling with them and I wouldn't have anything else.

I rented the reg set when I went diving recently, and really missed the Comfo-bite. For me, it means I can relax my mouth and not feel like I have to "grip" all the time.

I just lucked into knowing about them when the first snorkel I bought (at a garage sale!) had one. Now I buy them purposely. The ones I've used are the clear silicone ones; not sure how the black ones differ.

I'll definitely be getting them for regs if/when I buy them. I would even consider buying just a mouthpiece to use on rental regs (more comfortable and less "ewwww" factor).

B.

 

[Stu S.]

The 2nd stage is also not balanced and the combination of the unbalanced 1st and 2nd stages makes for a regulator that I wouldn't recommend for deep diving.

That's a good point. The Alpha regulators meet the US Navy specification to 198 feet. I've had good experience with them, but admit that I've never had one below 130 feet.

Our local instructor recently made a sinkhole dive to 285 feet using an Oceanic Delta regulator. If you see that in your near diving future, you may want to equip yourself for it.

 

[StevenN]

My personal opinion is your first reg should be whatever your LDS rents out no matter what brand it is.
You will have availability of parts should you need them and you'll have someone that is used to working on your reg doing the maintenance plus chances are that it's a good workhorse.
You can always upgrade later as your needs and abilities change but chances are a reg that's good enough to stand the abuse of being a rental is one that will last you a long time.

 

[AquaNSun]

The PX3 IS a balanced piston. A balanced 1st + unbalanced 2nd is fine for recreational diving and you'll have constant IP(intermediate pressure) and thus breath smoothly for the whole dive. The alpha 8 is one of the simplest 2nd stages around and when you want to DIY to service your own regs one day the alpha 8 is a great one to start learning with. I have a PX2, should be similar to PX3, and is also a very simple 1st stage that I have used in 45F water without problems. It seems to me that there aren't many piston designs around these days so if you like piston, this should be a good one. More importantly, look for features that you like and how they will make things easier for you to set up. Most recreational regs performances are similar if you don't get too crazy about technical and numbers.


Edit: meant to say "...aren't many balanced piston designs around..."

 

[rakpix]

assuming i am able to find a LDS authorized oceanic dealer willing to discount below the advertised price, what advantages will a Delta 2nd stage over the Alpha 8 ABOVE 130 feet? above 198 feet? also curious about the board's opnion on the SPG. i know brass-and-glass is the mantra here, but i also want a backup depth gauge, and oceanic's older maxdepth line looks rugged enough!

 

[rakpix]

also, as to buying used regs. i'll buy a lot of gear used: my bcd, dive computer, and lights are all used. but as for my wetsuit and regs, i'd never even consider it! maybe re-built, but i really want my life support to be in factory condition when i take my first breaths on it ...

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

also, as to buying used regs. i'll buy a lot of gear used: my bcd, dive computer, and lights are all used. but as for my wetsuit and regs, i'd never even consider it! maybe re-built, but i really want my life support to be in factory condition when i take my first breaths on it ...

A lot of people feel that way (about regs), and that is completely fine (the LDS's love that attitude ). I used to feel exactly the same way. And it is certainly good for the economy

As long as you understand that the actual logic is the same as thinking you are only "safe" with a brand-new, right out of the showroom car, and would never, EVER buy a like-new car with 2,000 miles on it, because it must be a death-trap!

Actually, properly cared for and serviced regulators can be Better than right-out-of-the-box new.

Why? Tuning. Many new regs come tuned to factory "spec", which is actually a range of "acceptable" performance, from "Just Pretty Good, to Very Good, to Great! breathing".

A good technician will take the time to tune the reg to the "great breathing" end of the range when the regulator is serviced.

It may not be tuned to this level at the factory.

The last three regulators I've bought were pretty beat-up, well-used and purchased on ebay (Gasp!). After a I gave them a good cleaning, inspection and then serviced them they were once again fantastic regulators that I'd trust enough to let my children dive with.

With regulators, as long as you can get parts for them, they can almost always be restored to like-new condition (unless they were very badly neglected, got water inside, were run over by a tank ).

Best wishes.

 

[AquaNSun]

The delta 2nd stages are basically an alpha 7/8 + an adjustable knob to adjust your breathing resistance. You can use the adjustments to prevent free flow, at entry, or to give you more air flow when diving in strong current, exertion, and at depth. The delta will breath a bit better, more control, because of the adjustment and the alpha is fine as well especially you have a balanced 1st stage that gives you a constant IP. I don't think you will find "WOW, what a difference" between the 2 unless the alpha is tuned badly, which can be corrected. So the difference would be features and convenience.

130 ft is recreational limit NOT equipment limit so your regulators/equipment won't explode or fall apart at 130ft. I don't think it will fail at 198ft either. You will need to be in REALLY deep water to have that pressure to crash your regs (but then you'll be dead too). Cold temperature and higher than 40% O2 application will be a different story. If you see yourself diving wrecks/cold/tech then another set of regs for that purpose alone is good. On the other hand, If you're just a recreational diver on regular air, I see no reasons to dive at 130ft most of the time because your bottom time will be so short. Most recreational divers will be at the 60ft range where beautiful reefs and sunlight are.