Recommendations for a Cold/Temperate Water Reg?

[Coelacanth]

I'm looking to buy my first reg and really have no idea about which brand is best for which type of diving or what features make them specialized for cooler waters. The most important thing I'm concerned about is ease of breathing (Damn rental regs, don't trust 'em none). I also want one that will last, and am willing to pay up to $600 for something quality. It seems Scubapro, Aqualung, and Sherwood have cold water regs, but I have no idea which model would be best.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Noboundaries]

Oceanic Delta 4/FDX-10. Chosen by NOAA and other government agencies due to reliability, ease of breathing, and cold water performance.

Plus it is built right in your own backyard right over the hill in the South Bay.

Just read your profile. Both my daughters are Slug grads (2006) and one's a diver. They were on the swim team. Have fun!

 

[cmburch]

2008 Regulator Review
This link may be informative and helpful.

Link to 2008 Regulator Review
http://www.diverite.com/downloads/diverite_118.pdf

 

[K9Pig]

I have the Atomic M1 , but I agree with Noboudaries on the Oceanic Delta 4. The best thing is check with your LDS to see what they carry for the simple fact of annual service on the regs. Atomic, however are servicable every 200 dives or two years.

 

[Coelacanth]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Is there a major difference metal or plastic housing for the second stage? (besides metal looking snazzier)

 

[Luis H]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. Is there a major difference metal or plastic housing for the second stage? (besides metal looking snazzier)

Yes, metal is a far better heat conductor.
Metal second stages will normally not freeze. The heat from the surrounding water will warm up the cold generated from the gas expanding.
The metal second stage will also retain the heat and moisture from your exhaled air much better than a plastic one will.
With a metal second stage you will very rarely ever feel any dry mouth.

Also a good metal second stage will outlast a plastic one by a few decades. My preferred metal second stages are almost 40 years old. They perform better than new and as good as or better than any modern plastic second stages.


Since there are very few new metal second stages in production, the next best thing to a fully metal second stage is to get one with the most amounts of metal parts, for example the new Scubapro G250V (Vintage).

 

[Jimmer]

Luis, what parts on the G250V are metal?

 

[Luis H]

Luis, what parts on the G250V are metal?

The air barrel, the adjustment knob, I think there is a metal heat exchanger on the air barrel to hose connection, and I think that even the volcano orifice is again metal.

I don’t have the diagram with me, but in any case the diagram doesn’t really mention what material each part is made out of. The above is what I have been reading and have heard from some reliable LDS.

The only thing still plastic is the case itself. :depressed:


The great news to me is that the new adjustment knob and the new orifice will fit my old metal adjustable.

 

[Byte Me]

I'd like to 2nd the Oceanic Delta 4 / FDX10 - after calling Scuba Toys and telling them how and where I dive this was their first recommendation. I did some research and bought it. Love it. Been in <50 degree water with no issues. And, as Noboundaries mentioned - chosen by NOAA and others as the reg of choice.

 

[Jimmer]

Sounds similar to my favourite cold water reg, the ZX series from Zeagle. Case is plastic, as is the adjustment knob on these second stages, but everything else, air barrel, heat exchanger etc. is all metal on them.

On paper the ZX-DSV or ZX-Flathead VI are very similar to a Mk17-G250V combo. I'd like to try out the Scubapro combo someday, since I keep hearing so many good things about it.

The air barrel, the adjustment knob, I think there is a metal heat exchanger on the air barrel to hose connection, and I think that even the volcano orifice is again metal.

I don’t have the diagram with me, but in any case the diagram doesn’t really mention what material each part is made out of. The above is what I have been reading and have heard from some reliable LDS.

The only thing still plastic is the case itself. :depressed:


The great news to me is that the new adjustment knob and the new orifice will fit my old metal adjustable.