Scubatoys is a 45min. drive away so I'd go there for some hands on/demo exposure. They won't steer you wrong, I've been buying from them for a decade. They sell Atomic, Oceanic/Hollis, Dive Rite, Hog/Edge.
What can you get serviced locally? Or is Scubatoys a "local" option. Since IIRC they service just about anything they can get parts for for $59. Is $550 a total budget or just 1st/2nd stage? If the former, look at some of the ^^ recommendations since an octo is $100ish or more and gauges about the same.
If it's the latter, I'll help you spend your $550. Some options from Atomic or Scubapro, IDK Hollis/Oceanic (same co.) well enough. Another in the same vein is Aqualung and Apeks since they're the US distributors and owned by the same parent co. I included an option from them also.
The least expensive Atomic is the
Z2. Z stands for Zirconium - the material they plate the brass with. A Z2 is $429 anywhere, $469 sealed. You might want sealed if you start diving TX lakes (I've seen one, friend lives in Houston) otherwise for Cozumel, Caribbean etc. it's probably not necessary. The other option is a
Z3 at $549. As near as I can tell the primary difference between the Z2 and Z3 is the swivel hose - they get almost $100 retail for it alone.
I've dived Atomics for about a decade - I currently have a T2. All Atomics breathe the same, the difference is in the actual materials used -
Zirconium,
Brass,
STainless or
Titanium. Every Atomic has a Titanium 2nd stage lever - the price differences are mostly due to cost/complexity of manufacturing and what materials are used where - Titanium is harder to machine.
The reason they have a 2 year service interval is their Seat Saver Orifice, it moves the poppet from the seat (2nd stage) when the regulator is powered down - prolonging it's life since it doesn't imprint.
Atomic Aquatics Regulator Systems Comparison Chart
In the Scubapro line there's two I'd consider. I'm personally
not a fan of the Mk2 since it's an updated 60's design. Also it only has 1 HP port so if you later buy an wireless computer, there's no good redundant option since many people who do carry a backup small spg in case the transmitter/receiver fail. I'd want two HP ports personally.
So two within your range are the
Mk11/S360 - a balanced diaphragm (better at lower temperatures/silty conditions) or their newest - the
Mk21/S560 at $571 - a balanced piston with an adjustable 2nd stage. No personal experience with either but were I in the market, I'd have a tough time choosing. Actually I almost bought a Mk25/S600 prior to buying my first Atomic instead.
My last option is one of the two Aqualung's. I like to suggest them as a mid-range option since I see more Aqualung or Scubapro dealers than Atomic at most Caribbean destinations.
One option is the
Core at $450 - from what I've read it's based on the Titan so parts are easily available. AL has pretty tight control of their inventory so mostly service is done thru your Aqualung dealer. The other option is their travel reg, the
Mikron. I've never even seen one in person so have no idea how much smaller it is.
I used online retailers for all these regs but you should be able to find similar prices locally + tax.
I'm not in the
Deep6 camp
yet, they're a new company. Good people behind it but I personally believe that most people suggesting them are basing it on their experiences with Hog - the previous company the owner (
cerich here) ran - and not the current one since Deep6 only started shipping
anything earlier this year.
FAQ
Interesting reg business model, buy direct, they provide service kits so you can DIY or find a local dealer to do the service. Their current model has you sending the reg back to them for service as needed from what I've read on their website - not for me personally but YMMV. Deep6 currently only has about a dozen stocking locations so it may be hard to see one in person. The closest to you is a few miles from my house - in Phoenix - according to their website. Or in Tulum.
I don't follow Oceanic/Hollis (same company) so no comments on them. In case it's not obvious - this is
DRIS - they also sell some of the brands you're looking for.
hth,
