So confused by regulators

[Colliam7]

Please don't e offended, but you are crazy if you're making your decision based on whether you can get the manual electronically or whether the reg "looks nice". ... You will not need the manual.

I have to second this opinion, on both points. While some manufacturers actually make a point of touting the appearance of their regulators, what it looks like is immaterial compared to how it performs. There may be material differences in the location of the high and low pressure ports, as that may affect hose routing but that is still not an issue with most regulators. The 'instruction manual' for regulators is pretty thin, and not of particular value, either before or after a purchase.

The only reason I would go with the Atomics next time is the service cycle is once every 2 years instead of annually.

And, you can do that with Apeks as well, for that matter, athough in both cases the particular terms of the warranty actually encourage annual service of some sort.

 

[Gil57usa]

For my primary and backup regs on my Doubles, I use Zeagle 50D/ZX. On my stage bottles I use the Zeagle DS5/ZX. Awesome performance. I have dove them in water that was 33 degrees and never had a free flow. They are dependable and flawless performers. You can't go wrong with these.

 

[keyshunter]

I second Squidster's views on DA Aquamaster.




After I bought those two I got into a Tech fundamentals course. So I needed regs for my doubles. I turned to Scubaboard for advice, just as you have. DA Aquamaster, and numerous others on the board, who have been diving Scubapro for many, many years led me to give the MK17/G250V a shot. Great cold water reports on the MK17, and the metal air barrel in the G250V is supposed to reduce dry mouth like the earlier G250 did years ago before Scubapro switched to a plastic air barrel (which , someone chime in if I'm wrong, from what I understand most, if not all other new regs have?). The G250V breathes and performs better than both my Atomics and my Poseidon, In My Opinion and Personal Experience.


QUOTE]

Aqualung, Apeks, and Zeagle use metal air barrels on their balanced seconds. I have all three and the air barrels seem to be just about identical. I have almost zero experience with Scubapro. The only SP reg I owned was a Mk 2 I used many years ago during a stint as a commercial lobster diver. Since I doubt that I ever had that reg much deeper than 50 feet, I can't say much about it, other than it was very reliable. But, I am curious to know why, other than $, Scubapro went from a metal air barrel to plastic.

 

[Cyclops_Diver]

Aqualung, Apeks, and Zeagle use metal air barrels on their balanced seconds. I have all three and the air barrels seem to be just about identical. I have almost zero experience with Scubapro. The only SP reg I owned was a Mk 2 I used many years ago during a stint as a commercial lobster diver. Since I doubt that I ever had that reg much deeper than 50 feet, I can't say much about it, other than it was very reliable. But, I am curious to know why, other than $, Scubapro went from a metal air barrel to plastic.

Thanks for the correction Keyshunter. I figured I was wrong, just didn't know how much!

While I had done research on Apeks I did not learn that they had metal air barrels. I do not recall the exact reason Scubapro went to the plastic air barrel. I read it off some manufacture report somewhere and then heard a lot about it here on the board from other divers. I am in no way a Scubapro guro! Just love the regs I have from them. I'll have to go reresearch...Unless some of the more Scubapro Savvy folks care to chime in...

 

[swinchen]

When I said "looks nice" I mean the features. I don't care what the regulator physically looks like. If I did I wouldn't be so interested in the Dive Rite Jetstream (it is sort of ugly in my opinion, but it seems to be a pretty amazing reg).

I don't know how else to decide... I guess cost is a reasonable metric. All the regs I am looking at currently are in the $400 - $600 range.

Well I know Dive Rite is having a demo day in CT in May. Maybe I will make the trek to go see that. I really have no idea how you choose with all the options and how similar they are. Also it doesn't seem like the majority of people lean towards one brand and/or model. I see a lot of ScubaPro, Zeagle, Apeks and Dive Rite. Not nearly as much support for Aqualung as I thought I would find

I am just really really skeptical of any reg that I can't find anything about cold water use.... blah. I think I need to take a few days and not think about it. Go visit some dive shops... something like that

 

[halocline]

I'd avoid the poseidon style dive-rite. Most poseidon regs are very specialized for service, and you probably want to avoid that, especially when there are so many more practical choices out there, like the standard dive rite diaphragm/ downstream barrel poppet regs. (I assume their balanced downstream 2nd stage is a barrel poppet design)

Any middle range reg from a respected manufacturer will work better than you need for recreational diving, and even in most demanding tech situations. Get one that's easy and convenient to service. And, I would suggest not getting hung up on the "latest and greatest" innovations; believe me, if the patent had not run out, you'd still be seeing SP MK5s and MK10s at the dive shop. Lots of regs that are 20-30 years old work at least as well as most current regs.

Why did SP go to plastic air barrels? Hmmmm...how about cost? Plastic cases, plastic orifices, you name it. In the G250's situation, enough divers made a stink about the "improved" G250HP with the plastic air barrel, and the price on old G250s on ebay shot up enough, so that SP capitulated and introduced the retro G250V. I bet anything they're working on a modern metal case 2nd. Wonder what that one will cost?

 

[swinchen]

I think I have decided to go with the Dive Rite RG3000 w/ Environmental/Ice kit (RG1208ICE 1st stage). 27F/-2C seems like there is a wide safety margin in cold water. I tell you right now... if the was was that cold, I would not be getting in it. Plus it has the swivel on the LP ports, DIN connector, and diverightexpress.com includes the yoke adapter. Not sure what length hose to get. Probably stick with the standard size for now.

It may not be the easiest breathing (not that I know...) but it has a good service interval @ 2 years/200 hours w/ free service kits. Lifetime warranty, and I can buy it online if I find it for cheaper than the LDS that is in the area.

Overall I think it has just about everything I want, except maybe a swivel connector on the 2nd stage.

 

[swinchen]

And if I really wanted a swivel, they are pretty inexpensive...
2nd stage swivel
Another One

 

[Jimmer]

Good choice, I think you'll be pretty happy with those, I had seriously considered going the Dive Rite route before I bought my Zeagles. As for the second stage swivel you can always add one, but if you end up going to the long hose setup, a swivel is not needed.

 

[swinchen]

Good choice, I think you'll be pretty happy with those, I had seriously considered going the Dive Rite route before I bought my Zeagles. As for the second stage swivel you can always add one, but if you end up going to the long hose setup, a swivel is not needed.

Can you, or someone else reading this post describe to me the benefit of a long hose setup (other than reducing jaw fatigue)? A 7 foot hose seems INCREDIBLY long to me. Must be for when you are feeling lazy and just want to leave your tank on the boat