Regulator Advice

[Nismo]

I'll second the Zeagle DS/V. Never been deeper than rec limits, but did a lot below 100 while in Bonaire and loved it. Did 2 dives a week ago in 46 degree water at 83 feet. Great performance to price reg.

 

[Nathyne]

If i were you i would go with the Apex i have been using my ds4s for 8 years and never a problem i have not exactually been up to date on servicing either (didnt have them serviced for 4 years until i serviced them myself). I have serviced the 200's and could not believe the machining in them compared to other regs.

I have used and serviced scubapro regs they have a lot more parts than apex in the end having more failure points. Ice diving the reg that freeflows 90% of the time is always scubapro so i would stay far away from them for cold water diving.

As for the zeagles ds4 equivalant i have a friend who used one on a stage bottle and the thing actually blew apart underwater causing him to have to switch regs on his stages underwater flooding both first stages and quite a hassle. If they did not blow apart i would possibly use these. The reg was fairly new when it blow apart if you were wondering if it was abused or not serviced.

For the Atomic regs i do not know much about these other than they are quite pricey

 

[Jimmer]

If i were you i would go with the Apex i have been using my ds4s for 8 years and never a problem i have not exactually been up to date on servicing either (didnt have them serviced for 4 years until i serviced them myself). I have serviced the 200's and could not believe the machining in them compared to other regs.

I have used and serviced scubapro regs they have a lot more parts than apex in the end having more failure points. Ice diving the reg that freeflows 90% of the time is always scubapro so i would stay far away from them for cold water diving.

As for the zeagles ds4 equivalant i have a friend who used one on a stage bottle and the thing actually blew apart underwater causing him to have to switch regs on his stages underwater flooding both first stages and quite a hassle. If they did not blow apart i would possibly use these. The reg was fairly new when it blow apart if you were wondering if it was abused or not serviced.

For the Atomic regs i do not know much about these other than they are quite pricey

FWIW, my tech instructor had an Apeks DS4 blow to pieces on him too, fired bits across the parking lot. Stuff happens once in a while, I have over 100 dives on one of my Zeagle DSV's, the other has more and will be a stage bottle reg, and now I have Zeagle Flathead VI's for backgas. I have more faith in these regs than any others I've ever used.

 

[chewslife2]

When I started looking for regs I looked at everything out there and asked a lot of questions everywhere, i never found anyone that didn't like atomics or had anything bad to say about them.As for being "pricey" I figured get the best it's your life support.I went with a B2 1st and 2nd stage with a Z2 octo.Awesome regs.:icosm05:

 

[Cédric RATHGEB]

Hi, in swiss' lakes even during the summer water at 40 meters (131 ft) is rarelly over 6°C (43°F), and during the winter you can enjoy diving under the ice in a water arround 3°C (37°F).

Here's my top list of high end regs for cold water (based on what I tested / I'm owning) :
- Poseidon XStream
- Apeks XTX 100 - 200
- Aqualung Legend LX Supreme

You can definitely exclude Scubapro of this list

 

[Trimix2dive]

Hi, in swiss' lakes even during the summer water at 40 meters (131 ft) is rarelly over 6°C (43°F), and during the winter you can enjoy diving under the ice in a water arround 3°C (37°F).

Here's my top list of high end regs for cold water (based on what I tested / I'm owning) :
- Poseidon XStream
- Apeks XTX 100 - 200
- Aqualung Legend LX Supreme

You can definitely exclude Scubapro of this list

Poseidon - Sweden - Its cold in Sweden.

 

[Rick Inman]

I have Atomic (M1), Scubapro (MK17) and Apek (XTX200) and have breathed all many times down to 34 degrees. Nothing breaths like my Apex 200's at depth. The Atomics are not good for stages because, if the charge gets somehow released, because of the reverse poppet design, water can crawl up into the 1st stage, and then when you turn it back on and take the first breath, you can have free-flow and other issues (been there, done that, talked to the Atomic techs).

For recreational diving, all three of those regs are winners, IMHO. The MK17 is the best bang for your buck and is a workhorse.

 

[Hatul]

You can get a Z2 setup from LP for $415. The M1 is on sale for $500 and is made for cold water/tech type diving with an env. sealed first stage.

I don't think you can beat that without a significant compromise in performance. Keep in mind; Atomics require service every TWO years, not ONE year as with most others. This means you'll save ~$100 after the first year (no, I don't work for them or any other equipment seller).

How ya gonna beat that?

The 2 year maintenance interval I think is a huge advantage, not just in terms of cost but the hassle of having to take it in and being without it when you may want to dive.

Adam

 

[tfsails]

Some observations: First, I'm glad somebody can spell "Apeks". It's not "apex".
Second, if you get an environmentally sealed Atomic, you'll have to pay about $30 extra at every service for the two ounces of Christo-Lube that go into the first stage to seal it. They are great regulators, though. Service kits are not free when you go to rebuild them each two years.
Third, I have to agree with the Zeagle afficionados out there. Their sealed regs are simple, stout, and they work. Parts kits are free for life as long as you have it serviced annually, and the environmental seal is dry (no gooey Christo-Lube inside the reg). I have an older Zeagle (nee Apeks) 50D that breathes just as well now as it did when it was new.

This is just my two cents' worth. I've also heard that Oceanic's Delta 4 is a top-rated cold water reg, too.

 

[bret gilliam]

I rarely join in internet chat discussions, but in this case I'm compelled to comment. As a preamble for the purposes of qualifying my expertise, I've been professionally involved in diving for 37 years (ex-Chairman of NAUI, founder and ex-President of TDI/SDI training agencies, ex-President and CEO of UWATEC, founder and ex-publisher of Fathoms magazine as well as editing Scuba Times, Deep Tech, and Rodale's Scuba Diving, ex-world depth record holder on scuba 475 ft., co-founder of the world's largest diving operation Ocean Quest International, and author/editor of 37 books...), I'm retired now and living the good life but still traveling all over the world diving on special projects.

The best regulators in the frigging world are made by Atomic. They have superb performance, flawless reliability, and the best customer service in the industry. I've been using their Titanium series since 1996 and would not even think of diving with anything else. The guys that run the company are the best examples of business ethics you'll find. You can buy an Atomic regulator and rely on it for virtually any type of diving. I've known Doug, Dean, and Seamus for years and you can trust your life with their products.

It's the best investment you'll ever make in diving equipment. I can afford anything and most companies would pay me to use their gear. I choose Atomic because it's simply the best stuff out there.

Bret Gilliam
diving since 1959, professionally since January 1971