Oceanic GT 3 or Oceanic Alpha 8

[mark290]

I am looking for inexpensive regulators for my son (15)
and I. We are new OW divers. We both have less than 20
dives. We will be diving in NC (in the summer), Florida and
Caribbean. We have plans to get AOW & nitrox at some point.

Here are what look like two good deals:

Oceanic GT 3 with CDX5, diaphragm and DVT.
$265 at Joe Diver America.

Oceanic Alpha 8 with PX3, piston and DVT.
$208 at Joe Diver America.

Any advice on which way to go or if
there are other regs in this price range
I should be looking at ?

Also looking for advice on what I should
consider when deciding between piston
and diaphragm.

IS dry valve technology(DVT) a real benefit
or some kind of gimmick ?

Cost is an issue especially because everything
is times two for me. We have mask, snorkel,
fins, 3mm wetsuit, and dive computers. I still
need to buy us both a BC, octo and we also want
5mm wetsuits. This stuff starts to add up quickly.

Thanks

 

[SkimFisher]

My first reg was a GT3 and I loved it. I know a lot of guys that dive them who all love them as well. Great reg for the price. Breaths perfectly for me.

 

[Mayor]

I use a few sets of GT3/CDX5 and really like the reg. The specs are very close to the old Delta 4 with out the price tag. I will replace them on my doubles and move them to stage bottles but I really like them. The DVT had to be removed when I changed to DIN but I think it's a good idea.

 

[rstofer]

I would always pick the sealed diaphragm over the open piston. But then, I dive in water colder than Oceanic recommends for piston regs (50 deg F is the stated limit for piston designs). For the difference in price, it would be the GT3/CDX5 for me.

FWIW, I put that CDX5 first stage on my Oceanic Omega II setup and it seems to work very well.

Richard

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I personally don't like the weight of the Alpha 8; it is so light it tends to float when not in your mouth. That actually makes it much harder to find in reg recovery drills. Plus the GT 3 has an adjustable flow knob, which comes in handy, IMHO.

I am not even happy with my Alpha 8 as an alternate on my number three reg set. Spend the extra dollars!

 

[rakkis]

You may want to also look through Scuba Board's classified section. There are quite a few users that post good gear there.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

The GT3/CDX5 is a great reg. I have recently moved mine back to a single tank recreational setup since I went with HOG regs for my doubles. Before that I had the GT in everything from warm tropical water to 38-40 degrees 155 feet down in Lake Erie and under the ice for my ice class last year. Never had any issues at all. As for the Apha 8 with the piston it is a very good warm water reg. Non adjustable second true but that can be tuned by a tech who knows what he is doing. But another option is to check Leisure Pro for and Alpha with the cdx5 first stage. Still non adjustable but you now have a sealed diaphragm first. I looked at Joe Diver when I first starteed out and decided against them because they didn't say exactly where they were and there was no phone number to call. Everything had to be done by email. Don't know if that changed but LP is a real store and an authorized Oceanic dealer. And they have the Alpha 8 with the px3 for 189 now! Oceanic Alpha 8 PX3 Piston Regulator, Black

 

[mark290]

Thanks for the help.

 

[keyshunter]

Mark,
If I had to pick between those 2, I would definitely pick the CDX5. There have been issues with the dvt, but they seem to be centered around noise in some individual regs, and not around safety issues. I do, however, believe that you should rethink the JoeDiver idea. I have never seen a deal on their site that could not be bested by other, more easily contacted dealers. Both Leisurepro and Scubatoys come to mind, but I am sure there are others. Also, because Oceanic, among others, constrains their dealers with minimum advertised prices (MAP) you need to call to get best prices.

 

[coralcruiser]

Don't eant to hijack the thread but I've had my omega since 1988 (no longer remember what the model for the 1st stage is), have had it rebuilt numerous times and now is not breathing as easy as i remember.

love having a side breather (actually learned to dive on it) so don't want to give that up... and no, i'm not interested in getting a posiden reg either

do you all think using the omega with an oceanic 1st stage is the best way to go? have been looking into mares, zeagle and aqualung regs... (wish they had side exhaust 2nds)

any other recommendations for paring my old omega with a different 1st stage??