Questions on regulator and fins...

[alexlakeman]

I am reading articles on fins, masks, regulators.... too much information ....

I got two general questions on the regs...just remembered a third...

1. I plan on renting for a while, but am having an issue of sticking that mouth piece in my mouth when god knows where it's been .... What do you guys do? Clean it? How? Don't think about it? ????? Not rent?, lol..

2. I see prices on new ones all over the board from the high $200's to $500++.. I want to just familiarize myself with what's out there new / used... What brands are the best bang for the buck for diving in Florida (warm) waters, if that matters? Back in the day it was US Divers and Cresi Sub... today ?

3. crap, I forgot the third question

FINS
I went to the dive shop and saw the split fins and the regular fins... lots to read on that so no questions there...but what DID confuse me is the LDS said the hard fins are more expensive vs the flexible ones and the are more efficient.. Is that the case?

I was tempted just to go with the Cressi fins for about $110, but I see alot of divers with mixed brands on their equip... is that just picking the best mfg for each component of your dive equip?

 

[dwhthediver]

There are some very good moderately priced regulators from Scubapro and Aqualung, that breathe easy and are very durable with very good warranties. I have never rented a reg, so can't comment on that, though using a lds reg in the pool, I do genrally swish it in the pool before it goes in my mouth, let the chlorine clean it...a little anyway. Fins are such a personal choice, hard plastic blades, hard rubber blades, splits with so many choices, I can only tell you about my experiences, I dive Scubapro twinjets and love them, though I use a set of Aqualung Slingshots when I know I am going to be doing a lot of frog kicking such as inside wrecks, as they are more effiecient at that.

 

[geokr]

Put your best money in your reg. Never skimp on the one piece of equipment that's keeping you alive down there so "bang for the buck" doesn't really apply. Fins, BCs, etc., are really subjective and you'll have to try a bunch till you find one you like for your own reasons.

 

[NJ to FLA]

Look at the AquaLung Legend. If you look at past threads many people like them and I would have to agree. I really like mine and have nothing bad to say about it. (although I only have about 10 dives). But as the AL website claims, "The Legend LX regulator series is the best performing regulator Aqua Lung has ever offered." I can assure you that you will not be disappointed.
Where are you located in Florida?? If there is a Divers Direct around you're in luck! I THINK there is still a $100 instant rebate on this. (BUT I AM NOT POSITIVE!) Check this out for a good description of the Legend: Aqua Lung Legend ACD Scuba Diving Regulator

 

[sabbath999]

Put your best money in your reg. Never skimp on the one piece of equipment that's keeping you alive down there so "bang for the buck" doesn't really apply. Fins, BCs, etc., are really subjective and you'll have to try a bunch till you find one you like for your own reasons.

Thanks for saving me the typing. This is my exact answer as well.

 

[alexlakeman]

Funny, I saw diver's direct web page last night and was planning on heading down to the keys on Sunday to check them out, they look big...

I see what some are saying on spend $$ on the regulator, I think that way when it comes to my motorcycle helmet, but in helmets for example, I know I can spend $500 for a very good helmet and don't neccesarily need to spend $750.... but not $250 for an off brand HJC or agv pos...

..Plus another $100-$200 for the gauges, so it looks like you are easily looking in the $500 - $800 range... and that's fine, as then I would have to step down to used ... what other brands?

Is AquaLung what used to be US Divers Aqua Lung? That's what I had 20 + years ago...

 

[ivobj]

Put your best money in your reg. Never skimp on the one piece of equipment that's keeping you alive down there so "bang for the buck" doesn't really apply. Fins, BCs, etc., are really subjective and you'll have to try a bunch till you find one you like for your own reasons.

Also agree... get good regs, many good ones, MY OPINION is Scubapros and Apeks, can't say much about others as today I use only those.

About fins, not true that the flexible are more efficient, and hard more expensive, if you are phisically fit the hard ones are great and have A LOT MORE manuevering capability, try to do a helicopter turn, back kick, frog kick or half cycle kick with flexible, split and hard fins and compare (try to rent or borrow from a friend to test). Also, if you have strong legs, IMHO, hard fins are best for the regular kick as well, and some of the flexible ones are way more expensive than most of the hard fins. For your reference, I use Scubapro Jet fins and love it.

 

[Jimmer]

Alex, what they are saying makes some degree of sense, but anyone who equates $$$$ with a better reg is kidding themselves. The key is to buy a reg with the technology that suits your diving environment. For example, if you are going to be diving a lot of cold water, you would be smart to invest in an environmentally sealed regulator, to resist freeze ups, if you are only in warm water, you have less to worry about. Another example would be to use a balanced reg if you anticipate a lot of deep diving, otherwise an unbalanced reg will work wonders in shallow warm water diving.

Some people seem to feel that $$$$ means better, but the fact is a $150 set of Oceanic Alpha 8 with CDX5 first stage is going to be as reliable (possibly more reliable as it is far simpler) than the higher end Delta 4 or EOS reg from that company. Another example would be in the Zeagle line, where the DSV and the Flathead 7 are intended for identical diving environments, and infact use the exact same parts internally when you service them, but there is a massive price difference between the two. The difference becomes noticeable when you dive to EXTREME depths, where the more expensive reg might breathe a bit smoother. It would be sort of like saying that you need a 911 Turbo, because the regular 911 isn't fast enough through the school zones.

My favourite example is the Atomic regs. They are wonderful regs, but they are all identical designs that use different materials. The brass one breathes the same as the titanium one, but costs a fraction of the price.

Focus on finding a reg from a reputable brand, that has readily available service in your area, you wont have much to worry about.

Cheers,
Jim

 

[diver 85]

To the OP---in general----you breathe with the regulator( ie in mouth) and kick with the fins(ie go on your feet).....solve your question on regulator & fins???---no telling where the 3rd one goes, maybe you can remember the question...

 

[Peter Guy]

Re what regulator -- I am NOT well versed on what regulator is best, better or more appropriate, but, none-the-less, here are my thoughts on the issue:

a. Are you planning to do much travel diving -- if so, you may well want one of the "big name" regulators, ScubaPro or AquaLung, because parts/service will be easiest if your reg goes out in no-name resort in Timbuktu. If you are not planning on traveling much, then ...

b. Decide what kind of diving you think you will be doing -- cold/warm, deep, not-so-deep, purely recreational or might you go to the dark side, etc. Those choices may help you decide on balanced/unbalanced first stage (unbalanced generally less expensive); sealed/not sealed (cold water means more chance of freezing and sealed may be better); lots of diver controls/not so much (on the 2nd stage). There is no right answer here.

c. Where can you get your regulators serviced? IF you like the local service tech, make sure you buy regs that are serviced by the shop -- otherwise perhaps there will be a problem getting service.

There are NO right answers. I, personally, have Zeagles (2), AquaLung Legends (3) (love them); Scuba Pros (4 different models - and 8 total) and some others -- and those are just the first stages! Guess what, they all work fine FOR THE JOBS I WANT!