Oceanic Alpha 7 PX2 or look elsewhere?

[petitediver]

Hi,

I am slowly buying my first set of dive gear. I have about 15 dives to date. I was wondering what anyone thought about the Oceanic Alpha 7 PX2 reg? I can get a really good deal at my LDS, but was wondering if I should save my money up and buy a better one later. All of my dives except for my Open Water dives have been in warm water. I did my OW cert in the frigid waters of the Puget Sound. I don't know how much diving I am planning on doing in the NW if any at all. I seem to remember that this reg is not environmentally sealed? Do you think it would behoove me to buy a nicer regulator that I can grow with as a diver? Meaning, if later on I decide to get more training, will this reg be sufficient? Or, should I look at other options. If so, any other suggestions for a good performance reg that won't break the bank? Thanks.

 

[BlueDevil]

Hi,

I am slowly buying my first set of dive gear. I have about 15 dives to date. I was wondering what anyone thought about the Oceanic Alpha 7 PX2 reg? .

Tha Alpha 7 gets a very good reviews in the regulator tests on Divernet (their website seems to be playing up at present- I will post the link when I can get through). They put the budget Alpha 7 up against a range of top of the line regs from various maufacturers and found it performed as well as many of the most expensive regs. I haven't used one myself so can't comment further. The PX2 first stage is unbalanced (although the test results would seem to indicate this isn't a problem). If you wanted you could get the Alpha 7 second stage on a balanced Oceanic first stage (but this would increase the cost).

 

[ScubaTexas]

Here is the link to Divenet's review that BlueDevil references www.divernet.com/equipment/1202regtest2.htm

 

[Tim Wong]

Tha Alpha 7 gets a very good reviews in the regulator tests on Divernet (their website seems to be playing up at present- I will post the link when I can get through). They put the budget Alpha 7 up against a range of top of the line regs from various maufacturers and found it performed as well as many of the most expensive regs. I haven't used one myself so can't comment further. The PX2 first stage is unbalanced (although the test results would seem to indicate this isn't a problem). If you wanted you could get the Alpha 7 second stage on a balanced Oceanic first stage (but this would increase the cost).

Blue Devil you stand to be corrected. The PX2 first stage is a balance piston. The unbalance piston you are refering to is SP4. I have the exact same setup-Alpha 7 and PX2. Great performance. Great durability. No complaints. I thought I had problems with dealer support where I'm at but after doing some homework, I found an Oceanic dealer where I live. Cheers