New reg, $600 budget

[broncobowsher]

I love how people forget what I was asking for. The last 3 replys are completely worthless. I was asking for what to get and why. Now I just get people throwing names and pimping businesses. If you want me to consider what to get, you got to tell me why, not just what. I could hit any LDS and see names, they don't mean squat.

Now that I have looked it over a little I keep seeing Scubapro popping up. To be honest I never really considered them, but I have no reason not to. So they are now in my sights. Before posting this I did a quick search and had thought about some of the Dive Rite stuff. Maybe I will make it into town and see what is in the local shops this weekend

 

[PerroneFord]

I recommended ScubaPro, and I own Dive Rite. I like my Dive Rite regs, and I can work on them myself. But honestly, if I wanted a reg that I expected to own over a long period of time, and wanted to essentially guarantee I could have them serviced, get parts for them, etc., and I wanted it to work for cold water, the ScubaPro Mk17 is hard to beat.

Take note that the model is important. ScubaPro regs are terrific, but in very cold water they are known to free-flow. Maybe you don't have ice diving in your plans. But even still the Mk17 first stage is built for it.

Additionally, since they are popular world wide, it's fairly easy to get them serviced in many places if you are traveling with them. They are a bit pricey, but probably right up your alley.

Best of luck with whatever you choose.

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Of course, it all depends on what kind of diving you want to do. I like the Salvo regs --to be fair, I haven't had a chance to dive them but I've seen them and they look impressive

Here's a link, I think you can put together a package for $600.

Salvo Supply - Regulators, Gauges, Hoses

Jeff

 

[halocline]

I love how people forget what I was asking for. The last 3 replys are completely worthless. I was asking for what to get and why. Now I just get people throwing names and pimping businesses. If you want me to consider what to get, you got to tell me why, not just what. I could hit any LDS and see names, they don't mean squat.

Well, to be honest, your question "what reg should I get and why" is not much of a question, and constantly gets asked on this forum, so I wouldn't get all huffy about the quality of replies. People are taking their time to help you out, you ought to be a little more gracious even if you don't respect the answers.

 

[serrada]

I recommended ScubaPro, and I own Dive Rite. I like my Dive Rite regs, and I can work on them myself. But honestly, if I wanted a reg that I expected to own over a long period of time, and wanted to essentially guarantee I could have them serviced, get parts for them, etc., and I wanted it to work for cold water, the ScubaPro Mk17 is hard to beat.

Take note that the model is important. ScubaPro regs are terrific, but in very cold water they are known to free-flow. Maybe you don't have ice diving in your plans. But even still the Mk17 first stage is built for it.

Additionally, since they are popular world wide, it's fairly easy to get them serviced in many places if you are traveling with them. They are a bit pricey, but probably right up your alley.

Best of luck with whatever you choose.

+1

I have owned Apeks, Oceanic, Scubapro and Zeagle for many years. Overall my favorite for quality is the Apeks and Scubapro. Apeks were always known and approved by the military for cold water diving. Though in recent years Scubapro has reinvented the wheel with the G250V and the MK17 which is probably the best cold water and possibly the best on the market currently.

The cold water first stages to consider are diaphragms like the Scubapro MK17, Most all Apeks DS4 (to see what it looks like, see my pics), FSR, etc., Aqualung and Zeagle Flatehead VI (to see what it looks like, see my pics).

The second stages I like are the Scubapro G250 and G250V for their metal parts. Though I own the G250HP. The S600 is also a fine 2nd stage. Next is the Apeks and then the Aqualung. The Zeagles aren't bad but the others are of better quality for your price range.

My last and final note is my travel regs are now the Scubapro. I went to Costa Rica and had an issue with my Zeagle ZX second stage wheezing and no one wanted to adjust it so I ended up using rental. The problem was later easily fixed at my LDS though.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

If I was you I would buy the dive rite RG3000 (w/ cold water kit) or scubapro MK17/S600, oh wait that is what I own yeah 7 reg pairs all dive rite (RG2500's) and scubapro mk17/S600's both great for colder water, nitrox approved, great for any depth, durable proven designs, parts service for life w/scubapro and dive rite has the parts kits available for sale if you should choose to service your own regs.

I dont like octo's but if you need/want one just buy another S600 or dive rite second stage and if your really into it buy the colored cover kits so your octo is yellow (or whatever color you want)

a scubapro mk17/S600 from a dealer is under $500 and online should come in under $400 and the dive rite RG3000 just jumped a bit in price to $450 (plus Ice kit $25).

your octo if you need/want one will be an extra $200 for the dive rite one (unless you jump soon on the spring sale w/ last years model at only $49) and another scubapro S600 will run $200 + inn you buy online and $300 +/- from a dealer

 

[shoturtle]

for 600,
oceanic EOS
Mares ABYSS 42
Mares Protron Ice Extreme

Mares Protron I/E is a fastastic cold water reg, if you do any cold water dives. It breaths nicely.
Mares ABYSS is not as much plastic second stage as alot of new regs, it small and compact, Mares top of the line reg.
Oceanic EOS is the new hotrod of the line, you would be on of the first kid on the block to have one. DVT and diver adjustable. There is not to much info on this one yet, suppose to breath like natural breathing.

 

[Stu S.]

Like a metal second stage? This Mares Proton Metal is one of the few still available. Proton 32 is a premium reg. I have the less expensive V-16 Proton, and it does well at all depths.

Mares Proton 32 Metal Regulator at Divers Direct - Scuba gear & equipment online dive catalog!

Have fun with it.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Find a new Oceanic GT3 with cdx5 non dvt first stage. Call Joe and Larry at scubatoys. They may have a couple left. 400 dollar reg for around 250. Throw in a standard octo and you're looking at less than 4 bills. The cdx5 is envirosealed. I dive one as a back up on my doubles. Have used it in 39 degree water in Lake Erie at 150 ft with no issues.

 

[EastcoastdiverLLC]

Visit my store. I give 10% any second stage you attach to any first stage you buy. We can do a complete package and you can keep quite a bit of you stimulous package.

Gary