New reg, $600 budget

[broncobowsher]

OK, the old Dacor finally passed the experation date.

I have had a Dacor for 17 years or so now. Bought new, worked good. The last service I was told that Dacor will no longer have service parts. So I ran it until it died. It needs servicing again, and a lack of parts leaves it a dead duck.

By chance the Government decided that I need to spend some money to help the economy. So I should have a $600 check to spend sometime soon. I will admit I have not stayed up to date with what s the latest and greatest. I am not a fan of the gizmo of the month either. So what I am looking for is

1) no more then $600, it can be less, don’t have to spend it all in one place
2) As I kept the old one for 17 years, I want something that I hope will be a functional item for many years. A reason to avoid the gizmo f the month. I want something that can be serviced and actually be brought back to life instead of being relegated to the scrap pile in a few years.
3) Diving conditions are usually colder, ocean, 100 foot
4) Nitrox, I am considering getting a little training and might as well have gear prepared for it.

So what suggestions are there? I would prefer some actual thought and logic behind the choices. As for those of you who just bought something new and want to tell me about it, good for you. I don’t need to know that you got one, I want to know why you got what you did (I know how a lot of these threads tend to run on about someone being so happy with there purchase and no logic is provided why)

OK, I think I asked the question right, let’s see what you come back with…

 

[mike_s]

are you wanting just a new regulator for $600?

or a regualtor/octo/gauge and maybe computer set for $600?

 

[halocline]

I assume you're talking about $600 for the 1st stage and two 2nd stages, correct? You'll keep your old gauges? I also assume you want something new, not used? One last question, how cold? I'm going to assume 40F or warmer.

There are lots of choices; I might look for a scubapro MK16/G250V with a R190 octo. You'll have some trouble finding a MK16 as they're discontinued, but SP supports their discontinued regs for decades. If you do find a MK16, you should be able to get it at a nice deal. If you can spend a bit more, and you want a sealed reg for sub40F water, get the MK17 which is a current model.
SP regs are good bets for long life; I have several that are 25 years old older. Most parts for these regs are easily available.

Other popular, well liked regs are the aqualung titan LX, apeks, and zeagle envoy. Lots of people will chime in about those.

Any regulator will work with nitrox to 40%. "Nitrox regs" are one of the dive industry's favorite scams. Want to go higher than 40% O2? You need an oxygen cleaned reg.

 

[Artimas]

How about a Dive Rite RG 3000 (or a 2500 if you can still find one) with cold water kit? Much less than your budget, and great, durable regs.

 

[ronbeau]

OK, the old Dacor finally passed the experation date.

I have had a Dacor for 17 years or so now. Bought new, worked good. The last service I was told that Dacor will no longer have service parts. So I ran it until it died. It needs servicing again, and a lack of parts leaves it a dead duck.

By chance the Government decided that I need to spend some money to help the economy. So I should have a $600 check to spend sometime soon. I will admit I have not stayed up to date with what s the latest and greatest. I am not a fan of the gizmo of the month either. So what I am looking for is

1) no more then $600, it can be less, don’t have to spend it all in one place
2) As I kept the old one for 17 years, I want something that I hope will be a functional item for many years. A reason to avoid the gizmo f the month. I want something that can be serviced and actually be brought back to life instead of being relegated to the scrap pile in a few years.
3) Diving conditions are usually colder, ocean, 100 foot
4) Nitrox, I am considering getting a little training and might as well have gear prepared for it.

So what suggestions are there? I would prefer some actual thought and logic behind the choices. As for those of you who just bought something new and want to tell me about it, good for you. I don’t need to know that you got one, I want to know why you got what you did (I know how a lot of these threads tend to run on about someone being so happy with there purchase and no logic is provided why)

OK, I think I asked the question right, let’s see what you come back with…

An Atomic B2 would be in that price range. It is an excellent regulator. My wife and I have that regualtor and most of the diving is done in cold water between Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

 

[broncobowsher]

are you wanting just a new regulator for $600?

or a regualtor/octo/gauge and maybe computer set for $600?

OK, so I thought I put in all the info... Prove me wrong.

Looking for a new 1st and 2nd stage. Priced right maybe an octo as well. I did step up to a computer a few years ago, that will carryover.

I will let this post sit here for a few more days then go in and filter off all the names and reasons (really want the reasons why each is so good) behind the names. Then start searching out specifics, then start shopping and see what I come up with. I don't have the check yet so there isn't any rush.

 

[1_T_Submariner]

I just bought a Zeagle DS-V breathes great, Sealed for cold. I have dove it in Bonaire @ 78 to 110 feet breathes great and 39 degrees in a quarry 50ish feet still breathes great.

My wife has a sherwood Blizzard. Good breathing reg, I have been told bullet proof, easy to get serviced, Doesn't breathe as "Dry" as my Zeagles.

 

[jefffalcone]

I'm a big fan of Apeks. You can get an XTX50 with XTX20 octo for under $600.

Atomic Z2 with Z2 octo will also be right around $600.

Zeagles are pretty much the same design as Apeks, so although I've never tried them, I'm sure they're great.

People who dive scubapro are all huge fans of their stuff, but I don't know anything about it.

As long as you stay away from gimics like titanium, you can get pretty much any top end regulator for under $600. If you do your research, you'll find that the top tier reg. from most companies is pretty much the same reg with a couple of useless features added as their 2nd most expensive reg. Atomic regs, for example, all have the same design, just with more titanium as you work your way up the price scale.

 

[Scared Silly]

I will second the Atomic but I would buy a Z2. I have several plus a couple of M1s. Do not need any of that titanium stuff. They breath very nicely, easy to service, made in the old USA so you would be supporting the local economy especially cause you would need to visit a local dealer.

 

[Packhorse]

Scubapro G250V and what ever 1st stage helps fit in your budget. Preferably MK17.

If you want to save money just get a second hand G250 (not G250hp). Its the same as a G250V but way way cheaper second hand and uses all the same parts.
I choose Scubapro because they are great regs and still supply parts for old regs.
Eg I just brought a 109 (20-40 years old) and upgraded it using G250 parts.
But dont buy a 109 off ebay.
(im looking for another and I dont like competition).