Oceanic EOS vs Scubapro S600 vs Sherwood SR1

[whodunit68]

my first reg was an SR1. I have used this thing like mad and it really breathes amazingly. I've had to use some other regs for cave class and for some other things and I'm really feeling it when I don't have my SR1. It is environmentally sealed as well and I'm incredibly happy with it. I let another more experienced person use it and he came up telling me he couldn't believe how easy it breathed. Good luck either way you go.

 

[Bob-B]

What a <EOS> decision to make indeed... <EOS> I'm sure that <EOS> either reg would <EOS> suit your needs well <EOS> - and please feel free <EOS> to let me or our great <EOS> partners in the UK know if <EOS> we can be of any help.

I'm not sure but I think that Doug might be bias

 

[Thalassamania]

I find the EOS to be the superior regulator, besides ... it is U.S. made and priced to market rather than artificially inflated in value by a dealer agreement.

 

[halocline]

Still leaning toward the MK17/G250, just not sure about the reg size, prefer the look of the oceanic and the swivel thing.

Definitely don't buy a regulator based on how it looks, unless of course you intend to use it as a mantlepiece.

Regarding the size of the G250, the mouthpiece is the same for all SP regs, and if you don't like any mouthpiece on any reg you can easily replace it. I like the seacure orthodontic mouthpieces. As far as the size of the reg itself, remember that in the water, the 2nd stage is filled with air and so the slightly larger size does not mean extra weight or tug on your jaw. Salesmen love to sell small regs based on "jaw fatigue" but that's basically B.S. Hose length, routing, and mouthpiece design are the real factors in jaw fatigue. Using a long hose helps quite a bit.

Of the three you mentioned, I am really familiar with SP regs and so I tend to recommend those, but of course that's only my experience. I would, however, avoid the SR1 like the plague unless it's dirt cheap. I have a friend who bought one and it creeps 10 PSI right out of the box. If I spent $500 on a reg and it did that I'd be pissed off. Maybe his reg will lock up better after a few dives, but if they haven't gotten the seat material and/or piston design right yet, why bother? A well serviced MK25 will lock up with a VERY stable IP and not budge for years of normal use if maintained well.

 

[doerflinger]

What's your BCD ?

 

[Andy_HFC]

Definitely don't buy a regulator based on how it looks, unless of course you intend to use it as a mantlepiece.

Regarding the size of the G250, the mouthpiece is the same for all SP regs, and if you don't like any mouthpiece on any reg you can easily replace it. I like the seacure orthodontic mouthpieces. As far as the size of the reg itself, remember that in the water, the 2nd stage is filled with air and so the slightly larger size does not mean extra weight or tug on your jaw. Salesmen love to sell small regs based on "jaw fatigue" but that's basically B.S. Hose length, routing, and mouthpiece design are the real factors in jaw fatigue. Using a long hose helps quite a bit.

Of the three you mentioned, I am really familiar with SP regs and so I tend to recommend those, but of course that's only my experience. I would, however, avoid the SR1 like the plague unless it's dirt cheap. I have a friend who bought one and it creeps 10 PSI right out of the box. If I spent $500 on a reg and it did that I'd be pissed off. Maybe his reg will lock up better after a few dives, but if they haven't gotten the seat material and/or piston design right yet, why bother? A well serviced MK25 will lock up with a VERY stable IP and not budge for years of normal use if maintained well.

Cheers for the advice. I know buying a reg on it's looks is stupid, a little tongue in cheek humour! I was leaning towards the SP, but was genuinely worried about the size and the jaw fatigue thing. But we have that cleared up now! The SR1 wasn't in the running, don't know enough people that have used them.

Ok, i'm sold. MK17/G250v it is!

Quick final piece - any gauges you can recommend!? Would really like this to be my last set of regs for a while, want to buy once and buy right!

Not sure who the last post was referring to but my BCD is the Oceanic Wolf.

Thanks so much for the advice folks, SB really is an invaluable resource, wish i'd come across it sooner!

 

[halocline]

Quick final piece - any gauges you can recommend!? Would really like this to be my last set of regs for a while, want to buy once and buy right!

This is a personal preference, but I would get a simple brass/glass SPG like the XS scuba or Dive rite 2", and put it on a 24" hose. It will rout down to your left and clip to your BC easily. You can use a small bolt snap to do that.

For depth/time info, you might look into an inexpensive wrist computer. They do calculate NDL and offgassing differently depending on the brand, but they basically will all work fine for any sort of recreational diving. Don't spend a lot of extra money for computer features; they do surprisingly little to improve your dive experience and they have nothing to do with diver safety. The important thing for convenience is to have depth/time/NDL on your wrist where you can check it effortlessly. Air pressure you can check far less frequently, and that's why you can conveniently clip off the SPG on your left hip.

 

[Thalassamania]

To hell with the computer, get a simple wrist mounted depth gauge and a G-shock watch, or get a watch like a Citizens with a built in depth guage.

 

[Andy_HFC]

I have a Mares puck already which is great, so computer end is sorted. I thought it was "safe" practice to have a depth gauge on your console as well as computer, in case it fails?

SPG alone sounds cool but i never fancied the idea of a wrist compass, might look into it. I have a TUSA triple at the moment which is grand, small and compact which i like but the compass is a bit crap. My wife has the suunto triple which is alot better but it's huge in comparison.

 

[Thalassamania]

People are much better at keeping the lubber line parallel to their line of travel with a compass that is on their wrist (they're even better with a board, but most divers don't want to carry that and tie up both hands).