New Diver Need Advice for 'Which Reg'?

[sushi]

I'm a newly certified diver and now am looking to get some gear. My current options for a reg are
a)Mares Proton v-16
b)Sherwood Oasis SRB 6700
c)Apeks ATX 200 or 50

I will be diving primarily in warm waters with plenty of travelling in between. There are not many lds' in my country with pool facilities, so trying them out in the pool or sea might not be feasible. Thanks for the help!

 

[Yerba Mate]

I Personally would (and did) go Apeks. Of the 200 and the 50 it would depend on how much money you are willing to spend. The ATX50 is an awesome reg and for the money is a great way to go. The 200 is cool, but unless you want to get the best of the best then in my opinion it's not worth it. Haven't dove the 200, but I've heard there's really not too much difference in how it breathes.

Haven't heard to much about the others, but I have some buddies that use Mares regs and they are good but many think that Apeks just does it better and why not go for the apeks. Also the servicing costs for mares in my area are out of this world which steered me away (like half the price of the reg). Sherwood is usually pretty tough gear, but it does not really have the quality of breathing that the others have. Again, this is what I'm told.

The only reg I've dove is the Apeks atx50 and there is a reason why people on this board like it so much, it's a hardy, great breathing reg, suitable for pretty much any diving application.

 

[Saturation]

I'd go for the Apeks, too. For recreational level diving, a balanced piston regulator is more than adequate: US Divers Calypso or Titan, is about $130, can be fixed by just about any LDS anywhere in the world and has been around in design for over 30 years. Well tested and reliable for those types of dives. Add another $50-100 for an 'octopus' or backup 2nd Stage and you'll save 50-75% the cost of the Apeks.

 

[rescuediver009]

Titan is not a balanced piston. It is a diaphragm, but anyways the sherwood that is a piston, should perform adequate to your needs depending on how deep you dive. They are built really tough, and service is really easy on them. It depends on what is in your area though. If money is not an issue you would be very satisfied with the apeks and never forced to upgrade. I used to have a blizzard for coldwater, and never had a problem with it. I love my new ATX50 though...

 

[Saturation]

Thanks rescuediver009, I stand corrected on both accounts. Titan is a balanced diaphragm. The Calypso is an unbalanced piston regulator. The Titan is anywhere from $50-75 more than the Calypso.

http://www.aqualung.com/choose_equip/cd_pdfs/AL_GUIDE_Regs.pdf

 

[rescuediver009]

Yeah and the Titan is a pretty neat little reg with the optional enviro kit. The thing is really tiny when you put it on a DIN fitting it only sticks out of the tank about an inch. Really kewl if you're bonking your head alot.

 

[theskull]

The Titan would be my number one pick for a rec regulator as well--mainly for the price savings, reliability, and ease of service. Of your posted choices, I would definitely go with the Apeks if you cannot get ahold of the Titan by AquaLung.

theskull

 

[S C]

All three regulators are quite good and considering your location I believe Apeks would be a better choice cause the LDs and parts are more easily found in your area.

 

[DementialFaith]

Another thing is that Titan is VERY easy to get surviced, btw, the regular Titan has an unbalanced second stage(I think), if ur looking for a balanced second stage, try titan lx.

 

[jextract]

How would you all compare the Titan LX and the Atomic Z1?