Poll -- Flathead VI vs. ScubaPro vs Oceanic DX4

[DivingDoc]

Originally posted by devjr
I agree with all points about the Mares. However, Rodale says that Mares uses a "stiff regulator hose" which is a no no.

Divingdoc: there is a dive shop in Richmond owned by a guy named "Jim". He has been in the business for over 20 years. Go see him and ask.

Yes -- Jim McNeal. He highly recommends the Mares Abyss. But he wants $665.00 (mid-$600's) for it. Another LDS in town recommends the ScubaPro MK20/S600, which he is selling for around the same price. Both will give 10%off on 2-3 major items bought as a package, but it's still alot of money. The third LDS on the side of town further away from me majors in Zeagle BC's and regs and BC's and Aeris computers. He retails the Zeagle flathead VI (which he uses himself) for $675.00 but says he gives a 20% discount on everything.

In a town about an hour from here, the dealer seems very knowledgable, and sells Oceanic. Also has an Apeks reg, which retails for $675.00. The Oceanics retail in the $400's. This guy will give you 10% off if you buy 2 major items and 20% off if you buy 3 major items.

BC-wise, I am leaning towards back inflation with either the Seaquest Diva LX, or one of the Zeaqle lines -- Ranger or Eva?(their woman's one). The dealer recommends the Zeagle 911, which is what he uses (along with the flathead VI).


I'm so confused.

Elaine

 

[DivingDoc]

Oops -- didn't mean to post the same message twice. How did I do that?

 

[pipedope]

DivingDoc,
What sort of diving are you doing now and what do you expect to do in the next year?
If you are doing the same diving as the dealer you might want to consider using the same BC but if your diving is less demanding and technical then you might want a smaller, more streamlined BC.

I am about to pickup a Zeagle Scout for my fun diving because it has no fru-fru, is very light and streamlined and is economical.

I work underwater but don't expect to do any really deep, cold or technical recreational diving in the near future so I am going for a simple BC.

So many choices out there, it is easy to get confused.

michael

 

[DivingDoc]

Originally posted by pipedope
DivingDoc,
What sort of diving are you doing now and what do you expect to do in the next year?

I expect to do mostly tropical diving in nice places -- Cozumel, Bermuda, West Palm, Keys. I can only do that once or twice per year, however. Some of the divers here like to go to wrecks near North and South Carolina or to quarries (Sp?). I am not so sure about that for me -- most of said wrecks are deep --130 feet (deep for me). So I suppose, I could do some temerate water sometime. I never plan to do cold -- nothing where I would need a drysuit. And I HATE 6mm wetsuits that you can't move in.

I feel I need to get the most reliable, safe, best breathing reg I can get. I am no youngin' -- 55 years old today. Also I am diabetic (diet and oral medication controlled -- the type that does not cause hypoglycemia) and asthmatic (well controlled - on regular anti-inflammatory inhaled medicine).

So I am selecting my equipment very carefully.

 

[TRUETEXAN]

DivingDoc, as I stated in an earlier post, I dive a Zeagle Flathead VI and I swear by it, it is an awesome reg, but then again all of the regs you mentioned are excellent performers, and I just wanted to let you know that the Mares Abyss that you are concerned about causing jaw fatigue because of the stiff hose they use is made a much more comfortable reg to most people who I know that use them by adding a Seacure mouthpiece, and the Abyss is a great reg so what I am saying if it is the one you can get a good deal on and get serviced at a local shop, don't let the " stiff hose " warning scare you away.

 

[DivingDoc]

Originally posted by TRUETEXAN
Abyss is a great reg so what I am saying if it is the one you can get a good deal on and get serviced at a local shop, don't let the " stiff hose " warning scare you away.

Actually -- with what the LSD's around here are quoting, the Zeagle Flat VI and the Mares Abyss and the ScubaPro MK20/S600 are all the same -- in the mid 6 hundred dollar range. Oceanic is a couple of hundred dollars less. My concern with the Mares Abyss is its weight -- perhaps combined with the stiff hose. It's really quite heavy and negatively buoyant. I am attracted to the metal foil idea, though, which is said to reduce dry mouth.

 

[pipedope]

DivingDoc,

I would suggest going for the smallest, lightest, simplest gear that will do what you *need*.
I like the Zeagle Scout, you might also want to look at the Zena. I don't know if I would want to go to even the Ranger but I don't see how you would want a 911 or SAR.

Remember, if you have pockets and D-rings you will tend to fill them even if you don't need the *stuff*.

In commercial work the gear is somewhat more complicated but we shift a lot of the task loading to the tender and diving supervisor. Even then we never add anything we don't need.

Have fun picking your new gear and let us know how you like it in the water.

michael

 

[devjr]

Diving Doc, here are some on line deals. I'm sure there are many. Also, the new Envoy reg is available from Zeagle dealers(order?). This reg features a simpler first and second stage. The only thing different that the diver would notice is that the 2nd stg does not have an adjustment knob.

I like the Zeagle Scout BC. Thanks, pipe.

http://www.metroscuba-travel.net/ZX.html

http://www.discount-scuba.com/Zeagle_Regulator

Do a brand name search on the second address. They offer the basic Scouts(7108) for $210 and Flatheads for $420---if they have 'em.
Note that the Scout has 35# lift. This might be a bit much for some women but maybe not. The whole thing is quite compact.

 

[jetblast00]

After diving a couple different high-end regs, I got the dsIV flatheads. They have some nice perks associated with them, but bottom line was they breathed the easiest for me.

 

[devjr]

DD, have you seen this thread? Waterdogs tells the story. His fiancee likes the Diva LX BCD.

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?threadid=5881&perpage=15&pagenumber=2

I also saw some good comments about the Dacor Viper regulator, although they are apparently using Mares hoses(stiff). I have seen new ones on EBAY for really cheap bucks. They keep updating the models though, so a buyer would need to check.

The problem is that you, a rec diver, who will be going on a few excusions to tropical paradise, is here just about surrounded by techies who will give you a certain type of advice, but also limiting your options.

After reviewing the thread, I've come to the conclusion that if I know nothing else about BC's for a woman, that it's fit that counts. Try 'em on.

Almost any reg would do for us rec divers. Again, comfort of the 2nd stg should be first and foremost. Price would be a close second.