new regulator/rebreather?

[Fatboyryder]

I am ready to invest in my first regulator and would like to get something at the top end of the spectrum. I was hoping for some advise here. Some reg's claim to 'breath easier' and I would like to know if this is a true claim. I also do some spearhunting and was wondering if someone could explain how a rebreather works and recommend one if it cuts back on all the bubbles that scare fish?

Thanks for the help....

 

[RikRaeder]

check out the equipment section of scubadiving magazine's webpage for some raw stats and expert reviews of regs

megladon rebreather's site has a pretty good diagram and general description of rebreathers if memory serves

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Some regs due breathe much better than others.

A SCR rebreather like a Drager Dolphin is a little less expensive - maybe $1000-$1500 used but the cost of scrubber is generally more than OC nitrox would have been. There are less bubbles with an SCR but they still vent a small stream now and then and if you ascend.

A CCR has no bubbles at a static deoth but there are again times when you need to dump gas from the breathing loop.

In general rebreathers are most efficent at a constant depth and a saw tooth profile will increase the waste of gas. A gas in the breathing loop of a rebreather also adds another volume to manage and they do have to be monitored closely. Unlike open circuit a rebreather has several interesting ways to try to kill you, so it is a step above OC in terms of the need for a proficient and attentive user.

I found that double hose regs diffuse the gas much better with more of a gentl curtain of bubbles that does not alarm fish to the same degree as the sharper and more exposive exhaust from aa single hose reg. Plus it puts the bubbles behind yoiur head and fish often "hide" right in front of you when checking out the bubbles.

So a double hose reg like the Pheonix Royal Aquamaster might be the way to go with a lot less complexity than a rebreather but perhpas enough of the bubble reduction desired.