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

[MauiScubaSteve]

I have worked with a rental fleet of Alpha 7's, currently work with rental Alpha 8's, as well as owning/ed CDX5/Delta 4 (swivel), PX2/Zeta, two (now one) PX3/Alpha 8's and FDX10/EOS.

Is the Alpha 8 really that similar to the Alpha 7? As I remember teaching OW skills with Alpha 7's, they did "fall" into the normal position when doing reg recovery skills. I find Alpha 8's to be so light weight a plastic that a hose full of air floats the reg above shoulder level and much more skill or even different technique is required to "comfortably" recover the reg, IMHO.

Personally, I really like the PX3 because of the straight down hose port (wish I'd sold the PX2 with the other Alpha 8), but the too light plastic Alpha 8 is barely worth using as an alternate in my book. I recommend you offer to make the purchase, at the price agreed, if they upgrade the primary to a GT3.

 

[AquaNSun]

The alpha 8 is smaller than alpha 7 but internal parts are identical. Alpha 7 and delta II are same size and delta 2/3/4 all have almost identical parts inside. The alpha 8 is indeed very small and light and has the shortest exhaust tee of all. Some people don't like the shorter tee because of bubble interference and some don't care. Whichever you'll get best to try them first if possible. That is the best way.

 

[Jimmer]

The alpha 8 is a nice breathing reg, but I do agree that switching the primary to a GT3 would be a good move. I have owned both, and I really appreciate the ability to tune the GT3 to my liking, and adjust it mid dive in the case of a strong current hitting the purge button. As for self service, both the GT3 and Alpha 8 are dead simple to work on, and use the same service kits.

Jim

 

[rakpix]

just visited my local oceanic dealer here in Austin, and MAN was i dissapointed! both alpha 8 and gt3 second stages just felt .... cheap. small exhaust tee's that pushed against my chin, and sh!&*ty purge button/covers

but i like the idea of a BALANCED PISTON --- > UNBALANCED NON-ADJUSTABLE 2ND

anything selling USED/STEEPLY DISCOUNTED like this in the $400 range w/ identical octo ?_?

 

[Aspendiver]

You should check and see if Scubatoys is still selling the Hollis DC2/212 setup for less than $300- you're getting an Oceanic Eos minus DVT.... for about half price. I bought one for my brother. Only downside is you get their proprietary swivel hose, so modifications are limited.

 

[rakpix]

yes, scubatoys still has the hollis DC2/212. how does the BUILD QUALITY of this compare with the GT/3 & Alpha? i was really disappointed at how "plastic" those were! i really don't care about DVT, but i DEFINITELY will be replacing my hoses with MIFLEX. is that possible with the DC2/212? can the swivel be removed or integrated with the MIFLEX???

 

[Jimmer]

Well I think you are confusing quality, with materials. I assure you all of Oceanic's regs are of top quality, a few of them just happen to be made of more plastic parts, and are lighter.

As for the 212 second stage, if it is sold as a swivel, you are stuck with those swivel hoses, unless you can get a dealer to order in a specific Hollis part, take the second stage apart and install it.

 

[Aspendiver]

The DC2 is identical to, what, the FDX-10 minus the DVT? Chrome plated forged brass, without the plastic cladding that the Oceanic is covered in. Before you commit to the miflex, realize that the inline swivel that the Eos/212 2nd uses is designed to mitigate some of the same lack of hose flexibility that the miflex does. The newer version of the Hollis reg eliminates the swivel to "keep the cost down", but there are evidently some issues with connector compatibility... there are SB threads that discuss this.

 

[DoctorBob]

just visited my local oceanic dealer here in Austin, and MAN was i dissapointed! both alpha 8 and gt3 second stages just felt .... cheap. small exhaust tee's that pushed against my chin, and sh!&*ty purge button/covers

but i like the idea of a BALANCED PISTON --- > UNBALANCED NON-ADJUSTABLE 2ND

anything selling USED/STEEPLY DISCOUNTED like this in the $400 range w/ identical octo ?_?

I know we are supposed to support our local dive shop, but I just bought a new Delta4/FDX10 from Leisure Pro for $200 less than my LDS wanted to sell one.
They also have an Alpha8/PX3 reg for what seems to be an incredible price. I think the PX3 is a balanced Piston.

 

[rakpix]

yeah, saw the alpha 8/px3 .... but didn't like the alpha 8 when i handled it in person .... the small exhaust t seems to bump up against your chin too, not to mention blow bubbles up your face looking at that Delta4/FDX10 setup, i see the blasted swivel hose connector again. my reasons for miflex are plenty, not least of which are abrasion resistance and ease-of-travel.