Regulators under $350

[delco]

I am thinking about buying another regulator under $350. I once had the Sherwood Oaisis, but didn't do a lot of diving with it and eventually sold it.

What would you recommend between:

Sherwood
Scubapro
Apek

I will be diving around 10 times per year at the max.

Thanks,

d

 

[ZoCrowes255]

I don't know too much about Apeks regs so I will not comment on them.

Between the Scubapro and the Sherwood I would say go with the SP. You can get a Scubapro R380 with the MK16 for about $300. The MK16 is a pneumattically balanced first stage. What that means is that as water pressure increases and tank pressure decreases it does not become harder to breathe. The Mk16 is a sealed diaphragm first stage which means no water enters into the IP chamber to compensate for the increasing ambient pressure. Less chance of any contaminants getting into your first stage that way. The lifetime warranty is also a plus.

Sherwood makes a pretty good reg as well. They have a few things I take issue with but they do make a practically indestructable enviromentally sealed first stage.

 

[cstreu1026]

I beleive the Aqua Lung Titan's might be in the ball park as well and have a great reputation. But if it were my $350 I would save an extra $50 and buy the environmentally sealed Atomic Z1($399 list price). To me that is the absolute best deal in regs.

I have a SP Mk25/S500 with an R380 octo. It is a good setup but for the money i have invested (about $750) I am none too impressed. My next regs will be Atomic's.

 

[JohnCollins]

That combo is available for $260 at leisurepro and you can probably add the R380 as an octo and stay within your limit.

MK16 is a balanced diaphram 1st stage S550 is balanced downstream valve 2nd stage, and the R380 is an unbalanced downstream valve 2nd stage.

The MK16/S550 is a great breather, and should be all the reg you need for all but the most demanding technical diving and they have a great reputation for being bullet proof and long lived.

 

[ScoobyDave]

I rented regs in each of the brands you mentioned and tried them out. I chose the Apeks based on my personal experience, and on other comments found on the forum. Do a search on all three brands and I think you'll see some trends. Check prices and I'm sure you can find models of each brand in your desired price range.

 

[RichLockyer]

Apeks are rock solid, and the only difference between the top of the line and bottom end are the cold water mods, cracking force adjustment, and the shape of the 1st stage. They all use the same rebuild kit, and I've actually converted two T20s and one TX40 over to TX50 spec.