Oceanic 7 or 8??

[johnnyr]

Hello all,

I'm newly certified and begining to purchase some equipment. In looking at regulators I have come across 2 deals to decide between. Both are the same price $150 and both are brand new in the box with manufacturer warranty.

1- Oceanic Alpha 7 with PX-2

2- Oceanic Alpha 8 with SP-5

Which should I go with and why? What is the difference? I asked the sales guy and he just told me the 8 is the newer model. When I asked about the yoke? he said the same thing.

Also I told him that I will be diving using Nitrox, I assume these are both Nitrox compatable. Right?


Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

John

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I would go with the px2. It's a balanced piston as opposed to the sp5 which is unbalanced. I'd also ask if it has the envirokit installed which would be a must for cold water. And yes both are nitrox compatible to 40% out of the box. As far as second stage goes the 8 is different for the most part cosmetically. A balanced piston will breath the same at 120 ft as it will at 30. An unbalanced tends to breathe stiffer as the depth increases. And while it will still deliver adequate air why use the extra effort if you do not have to?

 

[cerich]

I would go with the px2. It's a balanced piston as opposed to the sp5 which is unbalanced. I'd also ask if it has the envirokit installed which would be a must for cold water. And yes both are nitrox compatible to 40% out of the box. As far as second stage goes the 8 is different for the most part cosmetically. A balanced piston will breath the same at 120 ft as it will at 30. An unbalanced tends to breathe stiffer as the depth increases. And while it will still deliver adequate air why use the extra effort if you do not have to?

Almost spot on what I was going to recommend. EXCEPT, there is no enviornmental kit for the PX2, or the SP5 for that matter. I once recommended that in cold water get a CDX5 and many here jumped in to say they have had no cold issues with the PX2, mind you I'm from Canada so when I think cold I think really cold!

 

[Scottri]

I own a PX2 with the Alpha 7 and I've been very happy with it. I have used it in water down to around 40 degrees with no problems. I'd always go with a balanced first stage over an unbalanced one every time.

 

[johnnyr]

I appreciate the responses. Thank You.

So I picked up the last alpha 8 they had with the sp5 today and a friend bought the last 3 they had of the 7 w/ px2. so I can trade him straight up if I want.

Will I really notice the difference in breathing between the 2?

I will probably be diving 12-15 times a year (figure once a month or so) and probably won't be deeper than 100 feet in warm water. (south Florida and Bahamas).

I think I may try them both to see if I realize a difference.

 

[cerich]

Will I really notice the difference in breathing between the 2?

I will probably be diving 12-15 times a year (figure once a month or so) and probably won't be deeper than 100 feet in warm water. (south Florida and Bahamas).

I think I may try them both to see if I realize a difference.

Most likely no.