Regs for Deco/Stage Bottle

[ianr33]

I'm looking for a second deco reg. Planning on getting the same as my backgas regs (Apeks)
Why? 2 reasons really
1) Makes servicing easier if all regs are same/similar
2)Although it will nominally be a 50% reg it is also going to get used on stages of 32% in caves and probably at some time on a 32% deco bottle (switching at 120) so it needs to be a pretty decent reg.

 

[Hoosier]

1) Makes servicing easier if all regs are same/similar

Actually, for the service wise, an entry level reg. is much easier for the service.

There is only few part to look at....

Just my 2 bar....

 

[Meng_Tze]

Actually, for the service wise, an entry level reg. is much easier for the service.

There is only few part to look at....

Just my 2 bar....

Not to speak of the cost of the apeks service kits let alone availability.

I have taken the DR/Salvo regs on stages down to 260ft.... with different mixes.... performed flawlessly. I have had an Apeks on a stage lock up on me at 20ft........ There is no reasoning/sense.... Do what you feel comfortable with and get the best you can afford.

I could only afford so many apeks regs..... had to switch to cheaper regs for the rest...:10:

 

[nereas]

Great thread you guy's prevented me from using the search feature. I'll keep reading.

If you plan to do any ice diving in Illinois, SubM, you may need diaphram regs, however.

 

[nereas]

I'm looking for a second deco reg. Planning on getting the same as my backgas regs (Apeks)
Why? 2 reasons really
1) Makes servicing easier if all regs are same/similar
2)Although it will nominally be a 50% reg it is also going to get used on stages of 32% in caves and probably at some time on a 32% deco bottle (switching at 120) so it needs to be a pretty decent reg.

Thats easy to say if you live and dive in Merry Olde England, where Apex is made.

Not so easy anywhere else however.

 

[*Floater*]

I went with Dive-Rites because 1) there were plenty of good deals on them at the time, 2) they are supposed to be easy to service, manuals are online and parts are available too and the company is stable, 3) they have a good reputation among tech divers.

Now I don't see DR's unbalanced, adjustable second stages (RG1210) available anymore, but those were good for deco imo because they were cheaper than the balanced seconds (RG2010) but since you don't breathe deco regs very deep you don't need them to be balanced. Not sure why they've disappeared but the service kits are still available for them. Also the prices seem to have gone up. They still offer the unbalanced, unadjustable octos (RG1215), which I guess are fine but I would prefer the adjustment knob.

Anyway, if I buy more I'd like them to be the same brand so it'll be easier for me to service.

 

[Codiak]

I chose to go with identical units M25/S650 for primary and secondary regs. I know and trust the equipment and parts are interchangable

 

[do it easy]

This whole thing about not breathing deco gas deep or for a long time puzzles me.

The deeper you dive, the deeper you will (eventually) breath your deco regs. I was at a dive site where some divers were planning on starting their deco at 190'- right around where my dive bottomed out.

Of course everyone has a limit as to how deep they want to go and why, but consider that, some day, you might actually use that reg deeper than 70'- so it should either be a reg you want to use for deeper deco or a stage bottle or a reg that you can stick on an argon bottle.

 

[Hoosier]

But, if then, there is any reason to choose the high end one from the begining at the point where someone isn't sure if he will go deeper more than 190ft...

 

[DA Aquamaster]

In general I prefer to use flow by unbalanced piston regs for my deco bottles for the follwoing reasons:

1. Super simple - 1 moving part and only 2 dynamic o-rings, both of which are in the IP section of the reg.

2. There is no HP air past the seat, which keeps the PO2 to which all the o-rings (except the HP port o-ring and the DIN retainer o-ring) are exposed to as low as possible.

3. Unbalanced - the inhalation effort rises noticeably when the tank pressure falls below about 350 psi, so you never get surprised whena deco bottle suddenly goes dry. With a balanced first stage you can literally not notice when you use the last full breath so when you exhale, you may get a rude surprise when there is nothing there. A little early warning ensures you can do the gas switch smoothly and with no surprises.

4. The design is bullet proof and will survive a flooding or a swap from one tank to another under water (although you will need to take it apart and rinse and dry it out afterword.

5. Regs in this class like the Scubapro MK 2, Mk 3, Mk 200 and the USD Calypso are lightweight and low profile and work well in terms of hose routing on a deco tank.

6. 70' is not that deep for even a flow by piston first stage and the 90 or so SCFM available from a reg like the Scubapro Mk 2 is more than enough.

Personally I use MK 3's and Mk 200's which have the benefit of being easy to service, readily available, and inexpensive to buy even in excellent condition.

For a reg used for travel gas or deep deco bottle with 36% I prefer to use a Mk 17. It offers more than enough performance to be used even on the bottom yet is still compact and with decent hose routing for a deco bottle.

I also switched from Mk 25's to Mk 17's for my back gas.