Sometimes a good option is to buy ex-rental Regs. They've normally been serviced regularly and will be in good condition. Ok they may not be the highest performance regs going, but they are a good place to start. It worked well for me. I bought some ex-rental Aqualung Titan Regs 9 years ago. Slowly over the years I added to them with new parts and flashier regs as I got the money. I only just sold the Octo last month. If budget is your thing that's the way to go. Although you can get good deals off of Ebay, it's hard to know how well they have been treated and; if ever, serviced.
Regulator Question
- Thread starter daghastly1
- Start date
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OP
daghastly1
Registered
Thanks all. I decided to bite the bullet and get the whole Hog so to speak. 
I got a complete setup from DRIS. I'm aware that Hog is a DIR/tech orientated brand but I'm ok with that. I already have a din to yoke converter and that shouldn't be a problem. I just wasn't aware that the DIR philosophy didn't have depth gauges attached to the SPG. Their views make a lot of sense (especially regarding the regulators placements and hose length) but since I'll be diving recreational and taking recreational dive training I think it's best I stick to that standard (hose length and placement). So everybody I dive with knows where everything is. If I get into tech, I'll get the correct hoses at that time. Easy enough.
I don't mind paying a little more now if it provides room for my diving skills to grow and expand past what I'm currently doing. I just don't want to be limited in what I can do by my equipment once I start getting better.
I got a complete setup from DRIS. I'm aware that Hog is a DIR/tech orientated brand but I'm ok with that. I already have a din to yoke converter and that shouldn't be a problem. I just wasn't aware that the DIR philosophy didn't have depth gauges attached to the SPG. Their views make a lot of sense (especially regarding the regulators placements and hose length) but since I'll be diving recreational and taking recreational dive training I think it's best I stick to that standard (hose length and placement). So everybody I dive with knows where everything is. If I get into tech, I'll get the correct hoses at that time. Easy enough. I don't mind paying a little more now if it provides room for my diving skills to grow and expand past what I'm currently doing. I just don't want to be limited in what I can do by my equipment once I start getting better.
Bubbletrubble
Contributor
From what I've seen, the buy-right-buy-once maxim does not really apply to scuba gear.
No matter what you purchase...eventually you'll feel compelled to upgrade/replace the gear or experiment with a different gear configuration. That's the nature of the sport. Accept it now or accept it later.
Most people purchase a first set. A few years later, they upgrade and relegate the primary set to backup duty. A minority of folks morph into tech divers. When it comes to gear, the one kind of tech diver I know is a hoarder/packrat. I suppose there are a fair number of "wheeler-dealers" constantly selling/upgrading old gear out there as well. I know at least one tech diver who has squirreled away enough gear to open up his own dive shop.
When it comes to regs, the cost of servicing is significant. If the reg owner has to pay for his own overhaul parts, he could easily spend $75-$125 (labor + parts) on a routine reg overhaul. And this doesn't even include the cost of broken/worn parts (mouthpiece, 2nd stage diaphragm, hoses, etc.). At least with the HOG regs, there is currently a path to DIY servicing. Not sure what the situation will be in 10-15 years, allowing for changes in the dive industry, U.S. legal climate, and the economics of overseas manufacturing. No one knows the future. If successful, the company could very well continue on as an independent manufacturer (I hope this is the case). Alternatively, it could be gobbled up by one of the larger reg manufacturers or purchased by another scuba company wanting to add "tech-oriented" gear to their consumer line.
No matter what you purchase...eventually you'll feel compelled to upgrade/replace the gear or experiment with a different gear configuration. That's the nature of the sport. Accept it now or accept it later.
Most people purchase a first set. A few years later, they upgrade and relegate the primary set to backup duty. A minority of folks morph into tech divers. When it comes to gear, the one kind of tech diver I know is a hoarder/packrat. I suppose there are a fair number of "wheeler-dealers" constantly selling/upgrading old gear out there as well. I know at least one tech diver who has squirreled away enough gear to open up his own dive shop.
When it comes to regs, the cost of servicing is significant. If the reg owner has to pay for his own overhaul parts, he could easily spend $75-$125 (labor + parts) on a routine reg overhaul. And this doesn't even include the cost of broken/worn parts (mouthpiece, 2nd stage diaphragm, hoses, etc.). At least with the HOG regs, there is currently a path to DIY servicing. Not sure what the situation will be in 10-15 years, allowing for changes in the dive industry, U.S. legal climate, and the economics of overseas manufacturing. No one knows the future. If successful, the company could very well continue on as an independent manufacturer (I hope this is the case). Alternatively, it could be gobbled up by one of the larger reg manufacturers or purchased by another scuba company wanting to add "tech-oriented" gear to their consumer line.
OP
daghastly1
Registered
On a side note. I bought phantom hoses and I'm wondering now. Are they Nitrox compatible (if so to what degree? e.g. pure O2 or EANx40?)? Nowhere does it say that they or the MiFlex hoses are but they are very popular on this board so I assume that they are. Can anyone verify this?
Bubbletrubble
Contributor
@daghastly1: To satisfy your curiosity, yes, the Phantom and Miflex hoses are OK to use with any type of scuba gas: air, nitrox, trimix, 100% O2.
As a beginner, there's a high probability that the only gas mixes your hoses are going to see for several years are air and 32% nitrox. I really wouldn't worry about it.
OP
daghastly1
Registered
Thank you Bubble. And thanks everybody for the great advice and knowledge sharing! This is a wonderful forum!
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