oceanic alpha 8 help

[stangpb]

I was looking at the oceanic alpha 8 w/px3 with d.v.t. Anybody have any experience with this and would it be good for new England diving. I think it is environmentally sealed but I am not 100%. Also what would be the difference between this and the delta 4 which would be my other choice only if this would not work for me.

Thanks

 

[cerich]

I was looking at the oceanic alpha 8 w/px3 with d.v.t. Anybody have any experience with this and would it be good for new England diving. I think it is environmentally sealed but I am not 100%. Also what would be the difference between this and the delta 4 which would be my other choice only if this would not work for me.

Thanks

The PX3 first stage is a balanced flow thru piston that is NOT envirnmentaly sealed. If I lived/dove in New England (which I did at one time) it would not be my pick. The reg is more prone to freeze than our diaphram regs. BTY today is the first day we are shipping the Alpha 8/PX3 with DVT so can't see a dealer would have one in stock.

The Delta 4 w/ FDX 10 is a much higher performance reg and has a enviornmental seal from the factory and will work great for you.

The other choice I would recommend you consider is the GT3/CDx5 combo. They are out there and fall in between the two prices of the regs you are looking at. The CDX5 is enviornmentaly sealed balanced diaphram and the second is adjustable but doesn't have the dive/pre dive switch like the Delta 4. It's a great reg I use on my cave setup. (only I use the PX3 but it's not cold water)

Hoipe this helps


Chris

Southeast Oceanic Rep

 

[stangpb]

besides the pre-dive dive switch, what would be the difference between the delta 4 and the gt3?

 

[JohnL]

A friend of mine dives a px3 here in new england and has been quite happy with it. Most of the year , the water is warm enough to not be a big concern. It is the colder temps you find in the winter and spring where an unsealed piston reg can be a problem. He's never had a problem with it, but is careful to not breath the reg on the surface (ice forms easier) when it is colder out, and tries not to purge in the cold. maybe not ideal for cold water diving, but should be fine if you aren't planning to dive during the colder months.

 

[cerich]

besides the pre-dive dive switch, what would be the difference between the delta 4 and the gt3?

The swivel on the second stage and some small case geometry changes.

 

[Scottri]

I have a PX2 with an Alpha 7 and use it in cold water all the time. I've never had it freeze up on me yet.

 

[cerich]

Thats two that said the PX3 doesn't freeze up on them. I think it's because I said it may!!! Trust me guys the design is not optimal for real cold water diving, you would be better off with teh GT3/CDX5 or Delta4/FDX10. In particular with a cold air temp. If you only dive New England in the summer with water temps in the 40's, that is not COLD, spring/fall with 30's air temps and 30's water temps and the PX3 will freeze unless you use very good technique.

If I said sure go ahead and get the PX3 I'm sure there would be many on here saying "that design will freeze"

 

[Scottri]

I don't disagree Cerich, just saying that mine has never frozen up on me. Most of my diving is in 45 degree water with surface temps in the low 30's in the winter.

 

[nozzer]

Hi. This is one of the regs I'm considering getting. I'm newly qualified, and will be mainly diving in Monterey, with hopefully a few vacations to warmer parts.

I'm toying with going with the low end (but good performer) like the alpha 8, or setting my sights a bit higher on something like the delta 4.

They both seem like good regs, with easy available servicing. I'm sure there are lots of others I could be looking at, just wanted to get a feel of whether either of these would keep me happy.

Thanks.

 

[jpsexton]

I have an Aeris A1 which is the same as the standard Alpha and I really like it. I also have a DX4/Delta3 and I prefer the A1. Its simple, no predive, no adjustments, just a good solid performing regulator. If you aren't diving in freezing conditions, you don't need anything more.

John