Scientific diver going recreational...

[Panadero]

Hi there!!

Im an experienced scientific diver. Im a marine biologist and most of my dives (400 +/-) have been census of fish and invertebrates. I`ve never owned personal equipment and im about to buy some. I dont dive a lot deep (mostly over 60f, but everytime I can I hit 100f+) and I usually spend a lot of time underwater. Im now into undewater photo.

In a couple of years doing research I`ve been around different dive officers in diferent research center and universities. Most of them, have the aqualung titan!!
why?

(they in general all said this)

1) cheap: reparations and the reg
2) hardcore: they work awesome! I`ve seen them been all dusty, boucing around the boats, etc and they work "well"

I wanna buy a reg for myself. I dont mind paying some extra bucks for a nicer reg. But im really looking for something that will give me the best cost/functionallity.

The titan/calipso are really really cheap. But same as the Scubapro mk2.
1) any diferences?!
2) another reg (not that cheap) that u guys recomend me?! something that will handle bouncing, cheap and easy reparations?!

What i´ve notices with titans is that as soon as u are upside down (looking at the surface) they SUCK at breathing!! its really hard!! I dont wanna even try that at 60,80,100f... omg...


Thanks a lot!!

 

[TSandM]

Really? I've never noticed any breathing problems with my Titan when I'm on my back. In fact, I was floating around looking at the sunlight on the surface last night, happy as a clam.

My husband and I have Titans as our singles regs. We've had them to 130 feet, and have dived them extensively in cold and warm water. They've performed well. My only minor complaint is that they aren't available as DIN regs. You have to buy the conversion kit. But it sounds as though that's not a problem for you.

 

[SwimJim]

In a couple of years doing research I`ve been around different dive officers in diferent research center and universities. Most of them, have the aqualung titan!!
why?

Because they are bottom feeders who suckle off the government and get thier gear at the tax payers expence. They are also too cheap to have thier gear maintainced. Lying on your back a reg should work better not worse. A well maintained single hose regulator should work well regardless of position in the water. The Titan is a respectable reg and will take you a long way. The innards of this reg were designed over fifty years ago and have not changed. It is a tried and true design.
If you are into photography, you should seriously consider a double hose regulator. The main advantage is that the bubbles exhaust behind your head and away from your camera and more importantly, your subject. This can make a big difference when photographing fish and other wild life who are scared of the exhaust.
Aqualung made a double hose reg called the Mistral last year. It has been discontinued as it wasen't accepted amoung the rubber stamp set. It used Titan parts by the way. You should be able to pick one up reasonably cheap. Personally, I dive the originals. The real Mistral, DA Aquamasters etc. I rebuild them to new spec and they are better regs for most diving then any of the plastic junk produced today. They are simple and they don't freeze. A definete plus when diving deep at the freezing point. Cousteau used double hose regs to dive the Brittanic at depths close to 400 fow. You can't beat real experience.

 

[TROTP6488]

If your regulator is regularily serviced that will help the ease of breathing a lot. The regs you used may not have been serviced in awhile.

 

[panhandvr]

I also do scientific dives and have the Mistral. real quiet and no bubbles in the face . however the original mouthiece was uncomfortable,/

 

[Luis H]

The reason you noticed it harder to breath when looking at the surface is because the second stage diaphragm is at the highest point on the water column. It is higher than your lungs and your inner ear (where you sense pressure).

All regulators are affected by the same physics involving pressure differential in the water column. Most people don’t notice it much, but you have probably spend enough time underwater to start noticing small effects like that.

The better the regulator is performing, the less you will also notice this effect.

The Titan first stage is bullet proof and with a good second stage its got to be a great regulator.

The Scubapro MK-2 is also a bullet proof regulator, but the first stage is not balanced like the Titan.


PS: We use inches of water column (inWC) as a standard unit of pressure when measuring small pressure differentials. Like in the case of breathing resistance (or cracking pressure) on a regulator. Most decent regulators cracking pressure ranges between 0.5 inWC to about 2 inWC (for a reasonable octopus).
1 inWC = 0.0361 psi

 

[1_T_Submariner]

Are the regs you have used available still? What did you like/dislike about them?

I have a Zeagle Envoy Deluxe and never had any problems etc.... It is reasonably priced and the shop I go to is an authorized Zeagle dealer so service is easy.

 

[Panadero]

thnks a loooot!

 

[boomster]

Because they are bottom feeders who suckle off the government and get thier gear at the tax payers expence.

Oh, for the love of Pete. You cannot be serious. Does any modern human actually believe this?

They are also too cheap to have thier gear maintainced.

hmmm... OK, modern humans can also spell...

 

[Jeff Toorish]

Because they are bottom feeders who suckle off the government and get thier gear at the tax payers expence. They are also too cheap to have thier gear maintainced. Lying on your back a reg should work better not worse.

Was that really necessary?

JT