Poll: What are the top tier regulator brands?

[BoltSnap]

I like most of the Poseidon regs, but the Xstream, is nothing short of amazing. I won't get into details, but it's the only first stage I have had apart, where I was just totally impressed with the simplicity uniqueness and quality. And sure the second stages,are "different". But what's so finicky about them? You make sure the valve insert is ok, and the servo assist is working, then there is just one adjustment to tweak. If you are freaked out my that, Perhaps its best you don't try and understand how a more typical balanced second stage with a micro adjuster works.

Poseidon still suffered from rampant misinformation, mostely from people who don't know what they are talking about. True, there were several years where US support was challenging. I was happy to participate in the service clinic at last years DEMA (as an end user). And I also have. Certified repair tech within 20m of me. Beyond that, DRIS or Airtec scuba, are as close as any post office.

Yeah, right, you are the only one that knows what they are talking about.

 

[Caveeagle]

Yeah, right, you are the only one that knows what they are talking about.

Never said I was! But I would be happy to share some common myth/misunderstandings that are commonly perpetuated regarding Poseidon regs. And I would be happy to show you factual back up to disprove said mythology.

If you still think they are "finicky" that's cool. I honestly invite you to share why you think that. Some of this have actually been good to me and a couple others here who have picked up raging deals on used Poseidon regs when their owners have been told "they aren't worth fixing".

 

[BoltSnap]

Never said I was! But I would be happy to share some common myth/misunderstandings that are commonly perpetuated regarding Poseidon regs. And I would be happy to show you factual back up to disprove said mythology.

If you still think they are "finicky" that's cool. I honestly invite you to share why you think that. Some of this have actually been good to me and a couple others here who have picked up raging deals on used Poseidon regs when their owners have been told "they aren't worth fixing".

I have been a regulator service tech. since mid 80's and a "factory" trained technician on the Poseidon regulators since late 80's and have seen the change in the Poseidon distributorship in the US during this time that went from bad to really bad. I have sold and serviced Poseidon regulators through my dive center in NY during the busiest times for Poseidon in the 90's and early 2000's when Poseidon was the advanced/technical diving regulator standard. I have also owned several Poseidon regulators since the mid 80's. My service department was one of the busiest service departments in the area where we serviced most brands. Poseidon regulators are finicky and difficult to get a service technician who is competent in their service in most locales in the US and the world. They are like the fancy Italian fast car, they work great when they work but they need a technician living in the backseat.

 

[BDSC]

Just get yourself an Atomic T3 and be done with it.

Remember.......Before Atomic Aquatics, there was no BEST in scuba diving.

And besides, Kevin Costner uses them.

 

[Gareth J]

I have been a regulator service tech. since mid 80's and a "factory" trained technician on the Poseidon regulators since late 80's and have seen the change in the Poseidon distributorship in the US during this time. I have sold and service Poseidon regulators through my dive center in NY during the busiest times for Poseidon in the 90's and early 2000's when Poseidon was the advanced/technical diving standard. I have also owned several Poseidon regulators since the mid 80's. My service department was one of the busiest service departments in the area where we serviced most brands. Poseidon regulators are finicky and difficult to get a service technician who is capable in their service in most locales in the US and the world. They are like the fancy Italian fast car, they work great when they work but they need a technician living in the backseat.

I am surprised you said that.

I have been using Poseidon Cyclons since the early 90's [1]. Despite some awful abuse, they have been excellent. I had one season where if they weren't in the water diving, they where in the back of the car, making it very ripe. I don't think anything was washed or rinsed until the October, other than the odd freshwater dive. (Not to be recommended).

The only issues I have ever really had is one particular first stage that has had issues with the diaphragm after servicing. The two shops that have serviced it acknowledge that it is assembly issue. Once assembled, and tested, it operates flawlessly for years.
The only other issue is if you fail to rinse the second stages, they can get a little temperamental. These days I find it quicker just to strip them down every 12months, clean them and reassemble them, they are so simple that it's a 5 minute job.

I put all 6 of my cylons in for service in January for the first time in 5 years. The main reason, I only generally use two for bailout cylinders for the CCR, and one of those is seldom used. The rest had been sat in the garage un used for a few years since the last time I did any twinset diving. My express instruction was, if any are damaged, or not in a good state, write them off and strip usable spares out of them for the rest. All 6 came back, with a glowing report. The downside, I had to pay for six services and six service packs, when I only expected a bill for 4.

I have to say, I also have some Apex reg's, one the single cylinder rig for teaching, the other three where my late partners, two for the twinset, one for the single cylinder. These also have been trouble free, but not subject to the same level of abuse as the cyclons.

I've never liked the Jetstream, to savage a delivery of gas for my liking. I have also seen a lot of users struggle when clearing them, I think the internal volume is a problem with the savage gas delivery. It appears to force water into the back of the throat during purging.
The newer Extreme I have never used, so can't really judge.

To be honest. its a shame no one else does an ambidextrous regulator these days. Oceanic used to do a nice one, but its long since been discontinued.

Gareth

[1] Note I dive CCR almost exclusively these days, so in recent years they have only ever been used as bailout regulators.

 

[CuzzA]

The diamond studded, limited edition professional gold alloy one, only sold to verified master divers who have enrolled in the lifetime service plan, because you can't be serious unless you look serious.

Otherwise there's no difference.

It's funny, right. I see regs like Hollis get dogged on here, but they beat out a majority of regs in the market in breathing test machines. Parts can be had at DGX and I paid $150 each for a first and second... I bought 4 of them. In other words, I got 4 reg sets for the cost of 1 of the shiny ones and mine probably breath better.

 

[Caveeagle]

I have been a regulator service tech. since mid 80's and a "factory" trained technician on the Poseidon regulators since late 80's and have seen the change in the Poseidon distributorship in the US during this time that went from bad to really bad. I have sold and serviced Poseidon regulators through my dive center in NY during the busiest times for Poseidon in the 90's and early 2000's when Poseidon was the advanced/technical diving regulator standard. I have also owned several Poseidon regulators since the mid 80's. My service department was one of the busiest service departments in the area where we serviced most brands. Poseidon regulators are finicky and difficult to get a service technician who is competent in their service in most locales in the US and the world. They are like the fancy Italian fast car, they work great when they work but they need a technician living in the backseat.

Perhaps a spin off thread, to not make the hi-jacking any worse.

With your experience, I would love to hear some specific examples and details of what issues you have seen, and how you have dealt with them. (No snarkasm intended)

 

[kelemvor]

Where's Poseidon?

 

[Doctor Rig]

I just noticed a new posting which is similar to this poll thread:

Regulators: Best Value x < $600 ex. Dive Rite, Deep 6, DGX, HOG, etc.

In this poll, Deep6 was included. So far, Deep6 was the top rated brand, but I did notice that poll has far fewer votes cast, but the brand appears to have a strong following. Wish Deep6 was on my (this) poll.

 

[Centrals]

I did not vote but have been using Apeks for over 20yrs.
1st stage: US1, US4, DS4, DST(old model) and FSR(old model). Old model = one 1/2" LP port
2nd stage: T20, TX40, TX50 and ATX40.
No problem whatsoever.