Should I buy a regulator?

[Hatul]

This same question was asked before. I'd choose the computer and rent the reg, because regs are basically interchangable, but computers can be hard to figure out and not all shops rent computers.

Adam

 

[The Kraken]

I'd consider the present value concept to some extent when making this decision.

You can dive without a computer, but you can't dive without a regulator.

A reg is a mechanical device and, therefore, is susceptible to mechanical wear and is easily repaired.

Computers are constantly evolving and last year's model can be purchased, to some extent, less expensively than current models. When they go broke you generally have to send them back to the factory for repair and then you're into renting one, if possible, or resorting the the time tested SPG, depth gauge and watch.

Personally, I'd buy a good reg first and basic gauges. Buy the computer next dive season.

Always keep your old, antiquated but forever functional gauges with you all the time. If your computer craps out you're not necessarily out of your next dive.

Just my OPINION.

the K

 

[nwdiver2]

Get the reg first

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO’S MOUTH THAT RENTAL REG WAS LAST IN!!!!!!!!

 

[USdiver1]

Most definitely purchase a regulator. It is the one piece of equipment that your life DEPENDS on. You should not trust your life to rental gear, period. A torn wet suit = discomfort, a computer failure = an aborted dive, a BC malfunction = an aborted dive, but a regulator failure... let's not even go there.

Buy the best regulator that you can afford, and equip yourself well with a set of analog gauges, octo, and LP hose(s). Service regularly and especially before any vacation trips.

After the reg, I'd go for a BC, then a wetsuit (get one that serves you for the majority of the type of diving that you do: 3mm shortie for caribbean, 5mm full for midwest quarry, 7mm full for Calif. and consider a drysuit for the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, Ice Diving, deco.

A computer can wait until after you are comfortable with your analog gauges and dive tables.

 

[NAUIwowee]

As others have stated, I'd purchase a reg before a computer. It's your primary piece of life support gear and, as opposed to a rental reg, it's nice to have first hand knowledge of it's condition and service record.

ScubaPro reg's are a good choice when it comes to performance, service and parts availability. You can find a SP shop just about anywhere you go. I personally use a MK25/G250V as my primary and a vintage MK3/R108 for a pony reg.

And if servicing is a concern, another good reg choice is Atomics. They are great performers and unlike most reg's (including SP) they only require servicing once every two years to maintain their warrantee, not every year. And, if I'm not mistaken, if you don't have an Atomics dealer near you, you can ship your reg's directly to Atomics for servicing.

As for BC's, I use a SP Glide Plus that I really like. It's the best fitting BC I've ever owned. Whichever brand or style you purchase, pay the extra to get a weight-integrated BC. You won't regret it.

 

[stakanak]

Does anyone think that rental shops detune their regs in order to resist freeflow?

 

[NAUIwowee]

Does anyone think that rental shops detune their regs in order to resist freeflow?

From my experience, Yes, they do; but just slightly.

 

[halocline]

It is the one piece of equipment that your life DEPENDS on. You should not trust your life to rental gear, period. A torn wet suit = discomfort, a computer failure = an aborted dive, a BC malfunction = an aborted dive, but a regulator failure... let's not even go there.

Buy the best regulator that you can afford, and equip yourself well with a set of analog gauges, octo, and LP hose(s). Service regularly and especially before any vacation trips.

In recreational diving, if you feel your life depends on your regulator working, you've missed the most basic concepts of the buddy system and general dive safety. Maybe you should re-think your approach to diving. What do you think is the purpose of doing those air-sharing drills?

Please demonstrate in any quantitative way the slightest shred of evidence that there is a link between rental regulators and diver mortality.

Buying "the best regulator you can afford" in the context of dive safety is totally misleading and using fear as a sales tactic; it's one of the classic bad dive shop practices. If the more expensive regulators are safer, why would anyone even think of selling (or buying) the cheaper ones? Or for that matter, why would anyone dare to rent anyone any dive gear if it put the diver's life at risk?

Servicing a regulator immediately before going on a trip is an excellent way to increase the likelihood that something will go wrong with the regulator, because it has not been dive tested. Even careful techs sometimes adjust regs a little inaccurately, and, lets not forget, there are no, thats ZERO, legal qualifications for being a regulator tech, no licensing tests, just a one day no-fail seminar offered by the manufacturers, and there's not a requirement that a tech attend those!

In short, everything in your post is misguided IMO. Nothing personal!

 

[USdiver1]

In recreational diving, if you feel your life depends on your regulator working, you've missed the most basic concepts of the buddy system and general dive safety. Maybe you should re-think your approach to diving. What do you think is the purpose of doing those air-sharing drills?

Please demonstrate in any quantitative way the slightest shred of evidence that there is a link between rental regulators and diver mortality.

Buying "the best regulator you can afford" in the context of dive safety is totally misleading and using fear as a sales tactic; it's one of the classic bad dive shop practices. If the more expensive regulators are safer, why would anyone even think of selling (or buying) the cheaper ones? Or for that matter, why would anyone dare to rent anyone any dive gear if it put the diver's life at risk?

Servicing a regulator immediately before going on a trip is an excellent way to increase the likelihood that something will go wrong with the regulator, because it has not been dive tested. Even careful techs sometimes adjust regs a little inaccurately, and, lets not forget, there are no, thats ZERO, legal qualifications for being a regulator tech, no licensing tests, just a one day no-fail seminar offered by the manufacturers, and there's not a requirement that a tech attend those!

In short, everything in your post is misguided IMO. Nothing personal!

Thank God for the fact that opinions are like a$$holes, everybody's got one!

 

[Hatul]

I think there's an emotional drive to choose the reg, because "it's life support" or you'll get germs. You'll be fine with a rental regulator. If you're worried about germs just dip the mouthpiece in some mouthwash and rinse well. You're more likely to have problems with rental computer or struggling with tables.

Adam