Question about Regs / advice

[crazycanuck]

Okay, here is my question that unfortunately with cause a stir as I have read similar posts and seen the results.......

I am new to diving have just finished my AOW so it time to stop renting equipment and buy my own. I will be continuing on with more training and rec diving this coming summer and do more diving while traveling. This means cold water to tropic ranger but mostly lake diving. With this, include deep and Nitrox to boot.

So, I am in need of advice as to a good all around reg set up - 1st and 2nd, octo and gauge setup. Looking for under $1000. at the max as there are other purchases being made along with this.

The LDSes in my hometown carry Apeks, Sherwood, Oceanic, Genesis and Mares for the most part. I am not opposed to traveling to get a good set up either. So if you wwere in my position, what would you be looking at?

And, btw, I am open to online buying (LP, ST etc) but I do not want to be lectured about gray market, warranties and the like. I just want advice on the best bang for the buck for what I will be doing. So, please try and keep opinions about online vs LDS ideologies out of this.

Thanks in advance......

 

[nelsondejesus]

since you'll also be travelling, and will be using the regulator for both cold and tropical water, I would recommend apeks for availability of parts and more number of service centers anywhere in the world.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I would recommend a Mares Abyss or Proton Metal. They both are great easy breathing cold water regs and Mares is a worldwide company.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

If you're talking about buying new regs...
Best value? Probably the HOG regs. Well within your budget.
Best cold water performance? I don't know. Among the brands sold/serviced in your location (Apeks, Sherwood, Oceanic, Genesis, Mares), maybe it's Apeks. The best value in the Apeks line is arguably the XTX50 with DST or DS4 first stage. That should still be within your budget.

FWIW, any competent reg tech who can service Apeks regs should be able to work on the HOG regs.

For SPG, pretty much any brand will work. Plastic gauges housed inside a protective boot work fine for recreational diving. So do the robust brass-and-glass gauges. Expect to pay $50-$60 for a brass-and-glass gauge and $20-$30 for a HP hose.

 

[Puffer Fish]

My vote would be for the apex.. and then Mares. I happen to believe in your octo being the same as your primary, just adjusted down so it does not freeflow easily (I switch mine from time to time, to make sure they get used about the same)

Gauges...huge fan of the hog gauges.. if they are on sale. Great price and a tank of a gauge. (with Bubbletrubble on this one).

 

[Jocull]

My vote is for HOG. I bought them based on the reviews here on the board as well as chatting with the owner of HOG (here also). They breathe better than the SP's I was diving before and they are feature rich. I paid $300 for the DIN 1st and matching 2nd and octo. From my understanding, they are very similar to an Apecks so you should be able to have them serviced anywhere Apecks is serviced. Joel at tech diving limited was very helpful with explaining some of the differences between regs and different brands out there.

 

[crazycanuck]

Thanks for the info so far guys..... Keep it coming.

The way I figure it, this is a purchase that I will want to make sure I get something that is suited for me and my needs but I am open to suggestions. I have been leaning towards an Aqualung set up (titan LX Supreme) or a Scubapro MK17 with a 600 / 700 2nd. But, like I said, I am open to new ideas as well.

 

[keyshunter]

crazy,
Both of your choices are good/excellent. Asking a question like the one you did, is certain to bring forth a plethora of responses saying "dive (insert name here) it is wooonderrrful"!

 

[knowone]

Cold water DIN that will also suit doubling.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

HOG or even the Edge Epic set with the coldwater kit from Dive Right In Scuba. 1st, 2 seconds, and an SPG for under $400 US. No brainer for me if I was new.