Opinions on a couple of Octo's

[SecondCoussens]

Hey all, I'm thinking pretty seriously about switching from an alternate air source to an octo set up. I don't have a lot of money to blow, so I have been checking out a few of the more common models on scuba.com and leisure pro. Anyway I have a few in mind, but don't really know anything about them and can't find any reviews.

They are:

Oceanic Swivel 180
Mares Proton
ScubaPro R390

I think that the Oceanic Swivel seems to be winning so far, but I'd really like a few opinions on octos since I have never used this kind of setup before. Also if anyone has any other suggestions for $100 or less please let me know.

Also I think I would prefer something nitrox compatible in case someday I ever actually use that certification.

Thanks!

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The R390 is a good reg and the adjustable flow vane is nice to have on an octo.

 

[RikRaeder]

I'll post another question here, since it's related to the thread. Sorry to usurp, Mohneys:

I like the streamlined shape and side venting on Dacor's Viper regs, especially for use as a secondary, but have read hereabouts that since Dacor is bouncing around from Head to Mares, etc. service and replacement parts may be getting more difficult or impossible to get. Any other similarly designed regs out there?

 

[Hoosier]

My vote is R190 or R390... SP R190 is even cheaper..... It can be used as a darn reliable 2nd stage, too.

 

[psusnyder]

I'll post another question here, since it's related to the thread. Sorry to usurp, Mohneys:

I like the streamlined shape and side venting on Dacor's Viper regs, especially for use as a secondary, but have read hereabouts that since Dacor is bouncing around from Head to Mares, etc. service and replacement parts may be getting more difficult or impossible to get. Any other similarly designed regs out there?

The best thing about the side venting for an octo is that there is no up. I was practicing with my buddy (my wife) and signaled I was out of air and needed to share, but she handed my her secondary upside down. No problem, I turned it right side up before I sucked on it. But if I were panicking and there was poor visibility, I might not have noticed.

I have a Dacor Viper octo and you can hand it off without worring about which way is up. I emailed a Dacor rep and he assured me that they would be supporting the Viper line of regs for the forseeable future.