Sherwood reg.

[SubMariner]

I still have my Blizzard (circa 1994) hanging around. Sherwoods are pretty bulletproof.

If memory serves, the Blizzard & Oasis are identical except the Blizzard has an additional heat sink in the 2nd stage to keep it from freezing up & freeflowing. Both are balanced regs.

I used to like the fact that the 1st stage was essentially environmentally sealed due to the positive pressure flow out the 1st stage. (Minuscule bubbles from that area.) The coldest I ever dove it was 34F water. No problems...

FWIW,

 

[tfsails]

More testimonials that you just can't kill a Sherwood! Absolutely bulletproof. Go with the Blizzard if you can get one. I just rebuilt two of them and they are both sweet breathers.

 

[Rhone Man]

The new Brut is balanced. Older ones can be modified to be balanced. While very reliable, it's hardly a performer.

Huh. I have two Bruts - a really old one which gives me superb performance and a new one which frankly sucks to breathe off of much below 60 feet.

I also have an SR1, but she is pretty tempremental. She performs beautifully, but until you learn what not to do, you can easily pop some of the less well engineered parts.

 

[keyshunter]

The new Brut is balanced. Older ones can be modified to be balanced. While very reliable, it's hardly a performer.

When did Sherwood start using a balanced first stage on the Brut? That would make it identical to the Magnum. Then, why market both?

 

[Rhone Man]

The new Brut is balanced.

I think this is just a mistaken comment - if you look at Sherwood's website, they refer to all of their regulators having a balanced first stage, except for the Brut. Not an accident I suspect.

 

[darkstar]

I think this is just a mistaken comment ...

Since the Brut I own was purchased unbalanced more than 10 years ago, I cannot say for sure that they now come from Sherwood balanced by default. A Brut can be balanced or unbalanced depending on one of the internal a parts. One of the LDS's here delivered a balance Brut to someone I know about 4 years ago.

If Sherwood doesn't allow you to order the Brut first that way, you can certainly have the LDS make the change (with the approved Sherwood part) before they deliver it to you.

I suspect that Sherwood doesn't say that the Brut is balanced or unbalanced because you can get it either way. A sherwood dealer could tell you for sure.

Bruts are usually used as rental regs because they are cheap, bullet proof and easy to maintain. If it had to be a sherwood, and I was going to use it, I'd choose the Blizzard or the Maximus. Sherwoods are known for dependability, but not for performance. Try sharing air at 80 feet on a Brut or a Blizzard vs an Apeks or Scuba pro and you'll immediately see the difference.

 

[darkstar]

Here's an older thread on Brut upgrades

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/27358-sherwood-brut-upgrade.html

 

[TheSCUBAInstructor]

I would suggest the Bliizzard, as they are made for cold water and are bulletproof... it's essentially a Oasis with additional anti-freezing coating, at the same price point.

The BRUT reg ships UNBALANCED from Sherwood, but can be upgraded easily by a Repair Tech

 

[EastMR2]

Sorry if I'm hi-jacking this thread, but I'm also thinking about buying a Sherwood reg, and I was wondering how the Maximus does in cold water. I'm fairly new to diving but live in New England, so theres a chance down the road I will be doing some diving in cold water.

The web site says the Maximus is "Ideal for all diving environments", does this mean cold also?

I know the blizzard would probably be a better choice, but I like the idea of the under arm setup with the Maximus, and that it has "Adjustable inhalation sensitivity" (I'm assuming this means that you can make it easier to breath), because as its been mentioned the Sherwoods aren't known for there breath-ability when compared to other regs...

I'm thinking about buying used, so I'm assuming that will void any warranty with Sherwood... Does anyone know what it costs to get one serviced/rebuilt without a warranty vs with one?
It sounds like Sherwood can go a while without being rebuilt, is that right?
Also does Sherwood provide rebuild kits for their regs to the public (I read somewhere that Zeagle does this)?

Thanks,
-Joe

 

[CalgaryDF]

The Maximus is great for cold water, I've used mine in some 50F mountain lakes.

I don't know the details about all the regs, but I'm pretty sure that the Maximus is just as good in cold water as the Blizzard. I'm very happy with the breathing resistance on my Maximus and it can be adjusted.

The Sherwood warranty covers parts for the first 2 years of service and afterwards its not covered. I was never asked for documentation for my reg, there are colored rings on the hose protector that they take off when the servicing get done with, so if you bought them used and the rings were there you would probably be ok getting them serviced in warranty.

Sorry if I'm hi-jacking this thread, but I'm also thinking about buying a Sherwood reg, and I was wondering how the Maximus does in cold water. I'm fairly new to diving but live in New England, so theres a chance down the road I will be doing some diving in cold water.

The web site says the Maximus is "Ideal for all diving environments", does this mean cold also?

I know the blizzard would probably be a better choice, but I like the idea of the under arm setup with the Maximus, and that it has "Adjustable inhalation sensitivity" (I'm assuming this means that you can make it easier to breath), because as its been mentioned the Sherwoods aren't known for there breath-ability when compared to other regs...

I'm thinking about buying used, so I'm assuming that will void any warranty with Sherwood... Does anyone know what it costs to get one serviced/rebuilt without a warranty vs with one?
It sounds like Sherwood can go a while without being rebuilt, is that right?
Also does Sherwood provide rebuild kits for their regs to the public (I read somewhere that Zeagle does this)?

Thanks,
-Joe