Regulator brand poll

[BuoyantC]

I'm curious as to what everyone is basing their vote on. I've breathed a lot of regs, and for the most part can't tell any significant difference in the breathability. What I notice more is the "feel" of the second stage.

I was always perfectly satisfied with my old USD Glacia/SEA. It was durable, easy to rebuild, and breathed well. Some of the newer regs have nice light weight seconds which are more comfortable, but they don't breathe any better.

I can understand the desire to have lighter weight equipment for travel, but as for durability I've never seen any reg failure that wasn't maintenance related (and very few of those!). I've seen regs as green as springtime in Ireland function just fine. This says a lot about the inherent durability of most reg design. So beyond that, what's the big deal?

 

[The Kraken]

Atomics.

the K

 

[under water]

I'm curious as to what everyone is basing their vote on.

As with most surveys here.. It is probably based on what people already have
As for breathing comparisons. I am an air hog and maybe the fact that I suck a lot of air (or inhale quickly), especially at depth, means that I have been able to perceive a difference. Of course a lot depends on how it is tuned and the ability to adjust it.
My wife, who uses 1/2 as much air as I do usually, tells me she can barely tell the difference, but only at depth. But then, 1/2 the time, when watching TV (on a BIG screen), she can't tell if she is on an HD channel or not.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I'm curious as to what everyone is basing their vote on. I've breathed a lot of regs, and for the most part can't tell any significant difference in the breathability. What I notice more is the "feel" of the second stage.

I was always perfectly satisfied with my old USD Glacia/SEA. It was durable, easy to rebuild, and breathed well. Some of the newer regs have nice light weight seconds which are more comfortable, but they don't breathe any better.

I can understand the desire to have lighter weight equipment for travel, but as for durability I've never seen any reg failure that wasn't maintenance related (and very few of those!). I've seen regs as green as springtime in Ireland function just fine. This says a lot about the inherent durability of most reg design. So beyond that, what's the big deal?

Mine is based on the fact that I service my own regs and Oceanics are easy to service, easy to get parts for(the CDX5 and Aeris AT400 use the same kits), and are solid performers all the way. I've looked at and used ScubPro's and seen them being serviced. Too many variables and too many parts for me. Plus it's not easy to get a dealer to sell you parts as they can lose their dealership for doing so. Coupled with the prices just too much for me. Same as Atomics and Aqualung just will not use their products on principle. If I had to start iver though I'd probably go Dive Rite as they will sell their kits to anyone, the manual is available for free to download on the net if you look for it, and their tech background is another good reason to me. I own 2 Sherwoods in addition to my 3 Oceanics and 1 Aqualung I got as part of a package of used gear, a Brut and a Blizzard. Easy to service, bullet proof and reliable as hell.

 

[Puffer Fish]

I'm curious as to what everyone is basing their vote on. I've breathed a lot of regs, and for the most part can't tell any significant difference in the breathability. What I notice more is the "feel" of the second stage.

I was always perfectly satisfied with my old USD Glacia/SEA. It was durable, easy to rebuild, and breathed well. Some of the newer regs have nice light weight seconds which are more comfortable, but they don't breathe any better.

I can understand the desire to have lighter weight equipment for travel, but as for durability I've never seen any reg failure that wasn't maintenance related (and very few of those!). I've seen regs as green as springtime in Ireland function just fine. This says a lot about the inherent durability of most reg design. So beyond that, what's the big deal?

Ask a general question like this and you wll get dozens of reasons for why they answered.

I'm sure for some, it is their current regulator. For others, it is how many issues they have had.

There are several aspects that will vary hugely in sensitivity, so one model would never win:

1. Residual CO2 - some people are insensitive to this, some hate the feeling. For the most part, smaller is better, but internal design has a lot to do with this. Poseidon is the hands down winner in this regard.

2. Feel in your mouth - This will vary from person to person, but smaller and lighter is generally better...although I know a few people that like the feel of something substantial.

3. Initial breathing resistance - bigger is better, if all things are equal. A 250V should be able to be adjusted finer than a 600, because it has a hugely larger surface to sense pressure difference. However, for the most part, things are never equal.. as with a larger diaphram, you need a far more open area behind the diapham to allow water in and and out.

4. How lucky one in having your regulator adjusted near the edge of it's capability and how much that capability varies from unit to unit. I have two 250v.. one you can adjust slighter better than the other.... but there is no obvious difference.

5. Exhale resistance - varys with the design and how sensitive someone is to this concern. The discontinued 650 scubapro was really low, but the design brought other issues.

6. Human factors... including how they look.

Pile that all together, and you get a huge distribution and the reason there as a bunch of very good regulators out there..

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I'm curious as to what everyone is basing their vote on. I've breathed a lot of regs, and for the most part can't tell any significant difference in the breathability. What I notice more is the "feel" of the second stage.

I am basing my choices on 25 years of diving mostly, in deep and cold water.

A cold water reg works very well in warm water, but the reverse is not true. Also a reg that is ok at 60' may not deliver exceptional performance at 120 feet or deeper.

I agree with you that many people like what they use because it is what they use and they do not know any better. There is nothing like switching regs during a dive to get a true picture for how reg/brand A compares to re/brand B in the real world. Over th eyars I have bene lucky to be in or around the dive business and have been able to try an awful lot of stuff - I use what I use as it works extremely well, and I continue to use it as I don't find things that work better.

So my current regs are Mk 17 G250V's as they perform as well or better than the regsr that preceded then or any of the any regs I have owned, tried or test dove along the way.

 

[Jimmer]

I'm curious as to what everyone is basing their vote on. I've breathed a lot of regs, and for the most part can't tell any significant difference in the breathability. What I notice more is the "feel" of the second stage.

I was always perfectly satisfied with my old USD Glacia/SEA. It was durable, easy to rebuild, and breathed well. Some of the newer regs have nice light weight seconds which are more comfortable, but they don't breathe any better.

I can understand the desire to have lighter weight equipment for travel, but as for durability I've never seen any reg failure that wasn't maintenance related (and very few of those!). I've seen regs as green as springtime in Ireland function just fine. This says a lot about the inherent durability of most reg design. So beyond that, what's the big deal?

My reason for picking Zeagles is that I have used several different brands, and found the Zeagles breathe as smoothly as any I've used. On top of that, the Zeagles have proven to be reliable in deep and cold, I have 100% confidence in them, and they are very simple regs to service and keep functioning. Plus with their use of their conical hp seat, rather than a knife edge style of seat, they seem to hold a rock sold IP better than other brands I have used.

Oceanic CDX5/GT3's are my second favourite.

 

[Standingbear56]

None of the above. My 20+ year old Poseidon Jetstream and new XStream are all I have ever needed.
Take care,
George

 

[Doubler]

Atomic is my regulator of choice. Others are great too, I just prefer the 2 years or 200 dive maintenance. Isn't Aeris and Oceanic basically the same stuff under a different name. Sort of like Sears brand tools are made by Dewalt and others.

 

[Mr.X]

None of the above. My 20+ year old Poseidon Jetstream and new XStream are all I have ever needed.
Take care,
George

I love my Poseidon's a lot, but they have been eclipsed by newer designs. I use a combination of 7 Apeks, 2 Scubapro and a bunch of student Sherwoods. For those time I want that feeling of the workhorse I go diving with the Odin shower head.