Sherwood Maximus vs. the world

[pollywogg]

Hey guys,
I'm still fairly new to diving, and I'm in the process of getting my own equipment. I'm looking at getting a primary now. I have been looking around and I really like the Sherwood Maximus. My instructor recommended it to me, and I respect his opinion, so that's one point for it. I like the moisture fins and the swivel design, as well as the elongated tee-exhaust to keep the bubbles out of your face. I have seen it from about $350-$475. Even though I'm a newbie to this(and a broke-ass college student), I don't mind spending money on the equipment that will keep me alive at depth. I was wondering if anybody had any input on the Maximus as well as differing opinions on other regs that might be good. I mainly dive in FL, so most of my dives are warm water, but some cold water dives might be in my future.Obviously, it needs to be nitrox compatible. I am getting my AOW cert, so I need something that will grow with me into the wrecks, caves, and caverns. Thanks, guys!

 

[keyshunter]

Polly,
The Maximus is a pretty good mid-priced reg, average breathing, very reliable. I have long been a fan of Sherwood regs, and have owned several, but I preferred the Oasis and the Blizzard (cold water version) to the Maximus. However, I do know a few people who really like the Max, but then, most people (including me) will give good reviews about what they own. Let me say that no reg which is marketed by a major manufacturer should give you the least concern about keeping you alive at depth. For recreational diving, if you stay with the majors, it is virtually impossible to make a mistake. But, IMO availability of COMPETENT service is an extremely important consideration.

 

[Diver0001]

I owned a Sherwood Maximus and I was pleased enough with it when I had it. I had to sell it because I could only get it serviced locally by complete boobs with tools straight out of "scrap heap challenge" who were nearly too retarded to speak in complete sentences.

Since selling it I now have 5 remaining regulators, 4 of which I use ranging in age from 3 to 10 years and all of my "new" ones are Aqualungs. My oldest reg (which I don't use) is also an Aqualung. It's 37 years old and still works as well today as it did the day it was made.

The hard fact is that while the Sherwood regs, are bulletproof by any measure and I don't want to say anything bad about them, they are....frankly.... *way* behind the curve in terms of ease of breathing. The only decent Sherwood in that respect is the Maxiumus because you can open the cracking adjustment when you go deep.

Personally, having had this experience I wouldn't buy another Sherwood, not because of their quality (like I said, they're bulletproof) but because for about the same price I can get an Aqualung Titan LX that breathes better and is equally reliable.

about other regs:

A friend of mine is a regulator tech and he tells me that Mares regulators are "scary" and it's not unheard of to see slivers of loose metal inside the first stage when he opens them. He says he phoned Mares about what to do with those regs the first few times and they just told him "put it back together, it will be fine". Now that's scary.

He also tells me that the some Scuba Pro regs are prone to creep because there are more o-rings in the first stage of certain models than there are in a space shuttle. Having said that, tehre are many scuba pro regs and I don't know which one he meant. One bad design obviously doesn't define an entire range of regs.

 

[Rhone Man]

The hard fact is that while the Sherwood regs, are bulletproof by any measure and I don't want to say anything bad about them, they are....frankly.... *way* behind the curve in terms of ease of breathing. The only decent Sherwood in that respect is the Maxiumus because you can open the cracking adjustment when you go deep.

That was probably true before the SR1. But I think in terms of breathing resistance the SR1 can hold its own against anybody. Whether there is a trade of in terms of loss of bulletproof-ness (is that even a word?), I'll let you know when mine is 19 years old if it still functions as well as my old Brut.

 

[halocline]

He also tells me that the some Scuba Pro regs are prone to creep because there are more o-rings in the first stage of certain models than there are in a space shuttle. Having said that, tehre are many scuba pro regs and I don't know which one he meant. One bad design obviously doesn't define an entire range of regs.

Why don't you ask your friend the tech to specify which reg he's talking about, then we can post a schematic and maybe separate fact from fiction.

Even if it were true, more o-rings has nothing to do with IP creep. That is caused in a piston reg by poor sealing between the piston and seat. There is no other cause of IP creep in a piston reg. Most SP regs are piston.

In a balanced diaphragm reg IP creep can be caused by poor sealing between the poppet (seat) and orifice or by leakage in the balance chamber, which could be caused by a bad o-ring. Every balanced diaphragm reg regardless of brand has a balance chamber sealed by an o-ring.

Getting back to the original question, keyshunter pretty much hit the main issues; any major manufacturer reg is good enough for recreational diving, good servicing is very important, and no reg "keeps you alive." You do that by diving responsibly. If reg failure were truly life threatening, I don't think many of would dive.

The SP MK2/R190 is a tried and true ultra reliable decent breathing reg that can be bought for under $200. Most of the unbalanced piston regs like Sherwood are based on it's design, with a few added things on some of the models. My first reg was a MK2 and I still have it, and would not hesitate to use it in any dive situation that I'm likely to be in. The aqualung titan is another good choice, and the zeagle envoy is one that is frequently listed as a "best buy."

 

[Diver0001]

Why don't you ask your friend the tech to specify which reg he's talking about, then we can post a schematic and maybe separate fact from fiction.

a fair enough demand but you can't defend the indefensible either. Post a poll about how many scuba pro owners have had problems with creep and when the results are in, we'll talk.

What I know as a *fact* is that *all* of the instructors at the school where I teach have sold their scuba pro regs because they were wasting too much time "fixing" them.....

Maybe your experience is differnt but I'm telling you what I see happening on the ground around me.... and that's a fact.... YYMV.

That said, I still don't know which models my colleges "dumped" and I'm sure there are some SP regs that are reliable..... I don't want to get into a "yes it is/ no it isn't" discussion with you. I'm just telling you what I've seen


R..

 

[beanojones]

Maximus reg: I like and have used since way back when because they were the first 'recreational' reg to be set up so you donated the primary in an emergency. (They come with a long underarm hose.) They work really well with Air2's, Sherwood Shadows, and other alternate inflator regs.

What I know as a *fact* is that *all* of the instructors at the school where I teach have sold their scuba pro regs because they were wasting too much time "fixing" them.....

Not that this has anything to do with Maximus regs, but in general, Scuba Instructors working on their own gear is the reason for problems with their gear, not the solution to problems with their gear.

 

[salth2owannabe]

When I bought my Maximus I wanted a fool proof reg that would work well in all conditions. I have dove in 40 degree waters and 82 degree water. I also wanted a reg that could be worked on easily no matter where I traveled. I can't tell you if other regs breath much easier as I haven't tried many, but I have been pleased with my Sherwood. I may give the SR1 a try but no complaints with the Maximus.

 

[widget]

The Maximus is basically a balanced piston first stage with a slightly upmarket demand valve. Its nothing in terms of todays market to write home about.

Before the SR1 Sherwoods regulator line was, I regret to say, out of the ark, however it is a super reliable product and will give years of service with very little attention.

Personally, I would look at the newer technology out there like the SR1, nobody can say yet if it will be as reliable as the older Sherwoods, but if you intend doing more technical diving later it may be prudent to buy once and not have to think about upgrading in a year or two.

As has been mentioned, all the big brands are good, and will serve you well.

 

[beanojones]

The Maximus is basically a balanced piston

Not balanced, though.