Oceanic Zeo

[joalemma]

Hi there, I am new to the boards and a beginner diver. My husband gifted me an Oceanic Zeo regulator, FDXi, yoke, swivel, just prior to the start of the pandemic. It's never been used and I recently completed a refresher course using the respective dive shop's regulator. I had taken my regulator (only first and second stage, hence using the shop's set up) and the instructor commented that what I had was fine but suggested something different may work better. I am wondering if there may be a regulator that would work better for me, or should I keep this one? It's never been used, and I can easily get an octopus and inflator hose for this set up.

After a couple dives right after the pool course, during which I resorted to supporting the shop's regulator with my thumb during the dive, I am thinking the Zeo really may be the regulator that my mouth commands. I did give the shop's regulator a good college try, not supporting it with my thumb, and it was just so much easier on my mouth having my thumb there to release the "pull". I was quite cognizant to not "bite" nor clench the mouthpiece. I just have a very, very small jaw. As in, last root canal the endodontist could only complete the job as I was able to "assist" by holding a dental instrument IN my mouth, which was propped open with a dental dam, as my father was a dentist and I was comfortable assisting that way - alternative was extraction of the tooth.

After the few dives I've done, and even when I snorkel (if I do not "support" the snorkel in my mouth), one side of my jaw is so "out of wack" that I cannot close my jaw and have to massage my jaw joint for a while, and slowly "work it", until my lower jaw can close again. Again, it's just how my mouth is built, and I'm very used to this, it just hurts and I'm looking for as much comfort as I can get in a regulator. Propping the regulator with my thumb on these two dives helped immensely, and for the first time I had no misaligned jaw!

Again, I'm a beginner diver, obviously have no shame holding the regulator while it's in my mouth (though likely not as "safe" as both hands free) and do not see myself doing anything more that casual diving in shallow, warm waters, as in "right below the snorkeler's" type diving. On the slim chance I do more, or perhaps even as more experience leads to more comfort, I can always replace said regulator.

I greatly appreciate any insight as to "the most comfortable regulator for a small mouth". Thank you!

 

[CD24]

You might have success with replacing the mouthpiece with an Aqua Lung Comfo-Bite Small (there are two sizes). This is a simple procedure and shouldn’t take more than a couple minutes. My 10 yo daughter complained of mouth pain and had to support the regulator with one hand until we made the switch.

I don’t have experience with the Zeo but it doesn’t appear to be a heavy regulator. Be mindful that shops usually have a 100% mark up on gear and are incentivized to sell you another regulator even though it may not be needed.

 

[joalemma]

You might have success with replacing the mouthpiece with an Aqua Lung Comfo-Bite Small (there are two sizes). This is a simple procedure and shouldn’t take more than a couple minutes. My 10 yo daughter complained of mouth pain and had to support the regulator with one hand until we made the switch.

I don’t have experience with the Zeo but it doesn’t appear to be a heavy regulator. Be mindful that shops usually have a 100% mark up on gear and are incentivized to sell you another regulator even though it may not be needed.

Thank you for the tip. I’ve been looking for a more comfortable mouthpiece and will try that one. And yes on the sales. I’ve not read many reviews on the regulator, from the lack of reviews it does not appear that it is very popular. That being typed, after reading the limited reviews and reading up on its design, it appears my husband searched for one that may work with my mouth and this one seems to fit the bill!

 

[fishwatcher]

Hello,

The Oceanic Zeo has received some good reviews (e.g.: DIVER TEST: Oceanic Zeo), so I would definitely use it for a while before deciding to get another setup. The quickest and least expensive change to your setup would be to try a different mouthpiece: I also cast my vote for the Aqualung Comfo-Bite mouthpiece (I use the regular size).

Reducing the amount of weight held by the jaw and reducing any twisting force on the mouthpiece can also be helpful. The Oceanic Zeo is pretty light, the swivel reduces twisting force, and the MaxFlex hose reduces both weight and twisting force, so all these factors are helpful. You could reduce weight further by using an even lighter second stage and possibly by eliminating the swivel.

I had an experience similar to your dive-shop-regulator with my Atomic Aquatics regulator. I found the Atomic hoses to be too heavy and rigid. Even after upgrading to their comfort swivel on the hose at the second stage, I experienced the regulator being twisted out of my mouth by the weight and stiffness of the hose. I also found that the mouthpieces that Atomic provided in the past were not that comfortable or secure. Holding the regulator during the dive helped me keep the regulator in place, but I knew it was not proper or safe to have to do this. Once, during an Atlantic Ocean dive, I turned my head quickly and the regulator came completely out of my mouth! After this experience, I was determined to have both hands available during a dive and to have a regulator that stays in my mouth comfortably.

What Worked for Me

• MiFlex Hoses, which are lighter and more flexible (I believe the Oceanic Zeo comes with their MaxFlex hoses, which are similarly awesome).
• No Swivel at the Second Stage. I found it just added weight and was not needed because the MiFlex hoses are just so very flexible on their own. (The Zeo's swivel might be fine and I don't know if you have the option of removing it. The Atomic has a kit to allow non-Atomic hoses to be used including MiFlex hoses.). I had thought I would add a lighter non-Atomic swivel to further reduce twisting forces, but I just didn't need it.
• Aqualung Comfo-Bite Mouthpiece: comfortable and secure. Less bite force is needed to keep it in your mouth. I've used this mouthpiece on multiple brands of regulators as well as on Aqualung snorkels.

The current Atomic Aquatics mouthpieces are now also good and are available for purchase separately. They have different colors available in the bite zone, but are black everywhere else. The Atomic Aquatics mouthpiece would be my second choice after the Aqualung Comfo-Bite. Note that if the Comfo-Bite is used upside down (which could conceivably happen in an emergency situation), it can feel a little awkward, but is certainly very useable (just be sure to install it right side up).

Some divers like the Sea-Cure or other moldable mouthpieces for a custom secure fit. I tried two models of Sea-Cure as well as the Edge/Rite-Bite mouthpieces and they just didn't work as well for me as the Aqualung Comfo-Bite or the Atomic Aquatics mouthpieces. Somehow the fit just wasn't as good even though they were molded specifically to me. But, they might work wonderfully for you.

Congratulations on becoming a diver and good luck finding a setup that works for you.

 

[joalemma]

Hello,

The Oceanic Zeo has received some good reviews (e.g.: DIVER TEST: Oceanic Zeo), so I would definitely use it for a while before deciding to get another setup. The quickest and least expensive change to your setup would be to try a different mouthpiece: I also cast my vote for the Aqualung Comfo-Bite mouthpiece (I use the regular size).

Reducing the amount of weight held by the jaw and reducing any twisting force on the mouthpiece can also be helpful. The Oceanic Zeo is pretty light, the swivel reduces twisting force, and the MaxFlex hose reduces both weight and twisting force, so all these factors are helpful. You could reduce weight further by using an even lighter second stage and possibly by eliminating the swivel.

I had an experience similar to your dive-shop-regulator with my Atomic Aquatics regulator. I found the Atomic hoses to be too heavy and rigid. Even after upgrading to their comfort swivel on the hose at the second stage, I experienced the regulator being twisted out of my mouth by the weight and stiffness of the hose. I also found that the mouthpieces that Atomic provided in the past were not that comfortable or secure. Holding the regulator during the dive helped me keep the regulator in place, but I knew it was not proper or safe to have to do this. Once, during an Atlantic Ocean dive, I turned my head quickly and the regulator came completely out of my mouth! After this experience, I was determined to have both hands available during a dive and to have a regulator that stays in my mouth comfortably.

What Worked for Me

• MiFlex Hoses, which are lighter and more flexible (I believe the Oceanic Zeo comes with their MaxFlex hoses, which are similarly awesome).
• No Swivel at the Second Stage. I found it just added weight and was not needed because the MiFlex hoses are just so very flexible on their own. (The Zeo's swivel might be fine and I don't know if you have the option of removing it. The Atomic has a kit to allow non-Atomic hoses to be used including MiFlex hoses.). I had thought I would add a lighter non-Atomic swivel to further reduce twisting forces, but I just didn't need it.
• Aqualung Comfo-Bite Mouthpiece: comfortable and secure. Less bite force is needed to keep it in your mouth. I've used this mouthpiece on multiple brands of regulators as well as on Aqualung snorkels.

The current Atomic Aquatics mouthpieces are now also good and are available for purchase separately. They have different colors available in the bite zone, but are black everywhere else. The Atomic Aquatics mouthpiece would be my second choice after the Aqualung Comfo-Bite. Note that if the Comfo-Bite is used upside down (which could conceivably happen in an emergency situation), it can feel a little awkward, but is certainly very useable (just be sure to install it right side up).

Some divers like the Sea-Cure or other moldable mouthpieces for a custom secure fit. I tried two models of Sea-Cure as well as the Edge/Rite-Bite mouthpieces and they just didn't work as well for me as the Aqualung Comfo-Bite or the Atomic Aquatics mouthpieces. Somehow the fit just wasn't as good even though they were molded specifically to me. But, they might work wonderfully for you.

Congratulations on becoming a diver and good luck finding a setup that works for you.

Thank you for this information, it is greatly appreciated. I swapped mouthpieces and will be trying the set up this weekend!

 

[joalemma]

Just an update on the Zeo. I’m very happy with the fit and feel of the regulator, and it’s quite comfortable, especially with a small mouthpiece. No jaw fatigue! I’ve seen some not so optimistic comments on Oceanic regulators in general but hopefully this regulator will offer no issues, hold up well, and overall be more than suitable for my warm water, shallow, recreational diving.