Poseidon Xstream Deep question

[Linky]

Hi fellow bubble blowers...


This is my first post on the site, have been reading it for a while now though.

I have a question that’s been bugging me, I hope someone can answer for me.

I am a beginner diver, <40 dives to my name. But am well and truly hooked, so I see myself going far into the realm of scuba.

I bought myself a set of Poseidon Xstream Deep regs, which I am very happy with. I find them comfortable, I can sip air nicely, and they serve their purpose well. I have no complaints about their performance.

My question is.. I am very confused about using them for Nitrox diving. Poseidon claim that they are good for air or trimix with a maximum of 21% oxygen (which is normal air isn’t it?). But I have heard contradicting things that they are good up to 40% Oxygen provided they are O2 cleaned?

Am I able to use these regulators for recreational Nitrox diving? I.e can I go and use them on the liveaboards in Egypt and get the benefit of diving on Nitrox, or do I have to invest in another pair of regs? I know there is the Duration model intended for use of Nitrox, but I don’t really want to go out and buy a second set.

I have searched the forum, but have not found anything that directly answers this question. (If I did miss it I apologize)

My current expectations for diving are mostly diving coral reefs above 40m and taking photos. Although i do see myself getting into more technical diving at a later stage and perhaps even chasing coelacanth at 100m one day

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[nakatomi]

According to Poseidon you should not use the regulator with a gas mixture containing more than 21% oxygen, but then you already know that.
There is really not much more to be said. I used my Xstream Deep back in 2008 with Nitrox 32 with no problems, but then this is of course not supported, for what ever that is worth.
So to sum things up. You will probably be fine using them with Nitrox in Egypt, the staff folks there probably won´t care much, and I would assume the reg will deal nicely with Nitrox up to 40%. But then on the other hand, the manufacturer does not condone or support this. So basically it´s up to you to make the decision.

 

[tfsails]

Any regulator can be used for Nitrox up to 40% without being O2 cleaned. Forty percent is not enough oxygen to support spontaneous combustion in an "unclean" regulator. If I owned a Poseidon (I don't) I wouldn't hesitate to use it for gas mixes below 40% O2.

The Xtream Duration, to my knowledge, is the only Poseidon that's rated for nitrox use, but only to a percentage of 99.9. I guess if you go to 100%, you'd be in trouble. No difference in any parts except for viton o-rings and the color of the plastic pieces. All other Poseidons are not rated by the company for anything other than air...or 21% nitrox, which is the same thing as air.

 

[Linky]

Thanks for your feedback guys...

My assumption (based on some feedback from divers much older than me) was that in the past everyone dived on Nitrox < 40% O without any problems, and that only recently manufacturers have started releasing specific models for Nitrox diving, and to make more $$$ they discourage the use of the previous regs for any Nitrox diving.

Ill be honest in saying... "having my regs blow up or catch on fire" is the least of my worries.. I was mostly concerned about breathing bad air due to O2 reacting with the lubricants, and the o2 corroding my reg bits and pieces.

As far as I can tell, there is very little difference between the Duration and the Deep except for the Orings and the green covers as tfsails mentions..

But since you guys seem to think the same it at least gives me piece of mind that im not going to be doing something stupid by breathing 30% Nitrox through them when I go on holiday.

Thanks for you feedback!

 

[fishinfortuna]

I spoke to the Poseidon rep. at the dive show about this very question. His answer was Yes these regs can be used for Nitrox, BUT he insists that you have them O2 cleaned by a good LDS. Ask if they use Simple Green, run dont walk, if they do, find someone who does it right. I have the same regs. love'em, except its difficult to find someone to service them and expensive.

 

[Linky]

I spoke to the Poseidon rep. at the dive show about this very question. His answer was Yes these regs can be used for Nitrox, BUT he insists that you have them O2 cleaned by a good LDS. Ask if they use Simple Green, run dont walk, if they do, find someone who does it right. I have the same regs. love'em, except its difficult to find someone to service them and expensive.

I have a similar problem, since I stay in South Africa.. I was aware of the slightly more expensive servicing and chance of unavailability in parts before I got my regs... as a matter of fact I cant even get the Duration model down here at all.. fortunately the guy I bought my regs from does know his stuff when it comes to servicing the poseidon regs. so I do have confidence in him getting it done right

I am also definitely going to get them serviced before each change of gas.

My reasons for going with Poseidon were that we dont get regs like Apek and aqualung down here.. we mostly only have Cressi, Mares and Scuba pro.. And I have never been a fan of regs that have flow control nobs and switches which is why I went for the Poseidons... have never regretted my decision.

 

[nakatomi]

Actually the problem, if there´s any at all, with the Xstream Deep is that it uses both epdm and nitrile o-rings.
Now as far as I know, epdm is considered O2 compatible (when used with the correct lubricant of course) but nitrile isn´t really considered so.
Now the Xstream Duration uses viton o-rings instead of the nitrile, which are of course also O2-compatible.
So, if you really want to be on the safe side, your regs should be serviced with the correct lubricant and get replacement viton/epdm o-rings (the same used in the Duration).

Now I personally, on the other hand, would not bother to do anything for the common Nitrox mixtures used in Egypt of, let´s say, 28%-32%. I know I didn´t with my Xstream Deeps and they handled it just fine.
Probably money best spent, might be to service or at least check the regs (especially the filter in the 1st stage) after the vacation. Not all of the compressors around there are serviced top-notch.

 

[Linky]

Actually the problem, if there´s any at all, with the Xstream Deep is that it uses both epdm and nitrile o-rings.
Now as far as I know, epdm is considered O2 compatible (when used with the correct lubricant of course) but nitrile isn´t really considered so.
Now the Xstream Duration uses viton o-rings instead of the nitrile, which are of course also O2-compatible.
So, if you really want to be on the safe side, your regs should be serviced with the correct lubricant and get replacement viton/epdm o-rings (the same used in the Duration).

Now I personally, on the other hand, would not bother to do anything for the common Nitrox mixtures used in Egypt of, let´s say, 28%-32%. I know I didn´t with my Xstream Deeps and they handled it just fine.
Probably money best spent, might be to service or at least check the regs (especially the filter in the 1st stage) after the vacation. Not all of the compressors around there are serviced top-notch.

Nakatomi, Thanks for your reply and your advice
I dont think ill be diving anything greater than 32% ever, im purely a recreational reef diver. But I do think I will take your advice and try and get the duration service kit when I send my regs in just to ensure greater longevity of my regs.

Thanks to everyone for your answers, you have pretty much told me exactly what I needed (and wanted) to hear. (And probably saved me $ by not going out and buying a second pair of regs)