So do you spend $300 or $800?

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Titanium regs can be a PITA.

I have a set of Mk25/S600T (titanium). I only got these because they were cheap on Ebay...I wouldn't have opted for them new, at full price.

The titanium construction does reduce the overall weight a little bit, which makes them a little bit more effective for travelling/flying. However, the fact they cannot be used with nitrox is a real hassle. I called scubapro to confirm the issue with titanium and nitrox. They stated that the risk of combustion was minimal - but that the higher O2 levels could present issues with rapid corrosion. Either way, they did not recommend them to be used with nitrox.

Given that I travel/fly a lot...and that excess baggage charges are gross.... I do value the decreased weight...it means I can pack 1 or 2 extra t-shirts ha ha
 
However, the fact they cannot be used with nitrox is a real hassle. I called scubapro to confirm the issue with titanium and nitrox. They stated that the risk of combustion was minimal - but that the higher O2 levels could present issues with rapid corrosion. Either way, they did not recommend them to be used with nitrox.

:confused:

That's simply not true. Nitrox mixtures up to 40% are fine...
 
Ok so no problem, Ti is out because I'd rather dive with Nitrox than have a fancier regulator.

I'm leaning towards the Aqualung Titan LX (I assume the Supreme/Blue colored one is for coldwater & I want the red colored one correct?)

Is the 2nd stage on the Titan all metal?

I would also consider the Aqualung Mikron because I've heard its considerably smaller and still top of the line. It also uses the Miflex hoses (which I think I would upgrade to either way)

But can either one of these be had for $300 or less?

I really like Aqualung products & they have really good warranties on regulators & stuff dont they? If I buy a used Titan off of ebay, can I send it in for free to be serviced?
 
Answering some of your questions:

Buying through Scubastore may mean that you have to send it back to them in Spain for warranty repair. Not a huge issue as long as you're willing to pay to have it serviced locally. The other thing about the Cressi reg you linked to is that it's a DIN 1st stage - most U.S./Caribbean non-technical diving is done using the more available Yoke configuration. (most regs you see on U.S. mfr's websites are yoke) You can also generally convert either way if needed with an inexpensive adapter.

What I'd really suggest you do - unless you plan to learn how to service your own regs - is find out what brands your local dealer can service. And buy one of them. I pay $60 every other year to have my reg serviced.

Don't be too taken in by the plastic vs. metal debate either. The top of the line Atomic Aquatics T2x ($1600) has a "plastic" (ABS) 2nd stage. As does the $1500 ScubaPro MK25/S600T. It's done to minimize weight and thus jaw fatigue. I've had people set tanks on my 2nd (accidentally) with no consequences.

The Aqualung Titan LX 2nd stage is ABS. Aqualung is a solid, reliable brand that has been around for decades.

An easy way to tell plastic vs. metal is that if the 2nd stage body (not the face) looks black - it's ABS. If it's shiny it's metal. Compare the Scubapro S600 (ABS) vs. A700 (Chrome over Brass?) to see the difference. Many are some combination of both.

For recreational use, you'll probably never exceed 40% Nitrox. Most boats can't pump more than 32% and low-30%'s are about all you can safely dive at recreational depths. I'm stressing recreational so I don't start any debates.

You won't be able to get free service on any reg you buy from eBay. Unless you buy it new from one of the few authorized dealers who also have a storefront there.

Most manufacturers (including Aqualung) will not warranty products purchased there. I believe Aqualung won't warranty products purchased anywhere except through it's authorized dealer network.

For discount pricing with full manufacturers warranties check ScubaToys - Scuba Diving Equipment Discount dive gear Snorkeling Equipment and Wetsuits Cheap online. Or Buy scuba gear, scuba diving and everything underwater from LeisurePro.com - but only some of their lines (Oceanic for ex.) carry manufacturers warranties, others will only be warranteed by LeisurePro. It's all spelled out in the fine print on their website.

It's not a huge issue unless there's a fundamental product recall/replacement problem.

Mouthpieces are replaceable. They start around $7 and the comfort bite ones go to around $25? A lot of them are interchangeable - certain brands use a slightly different size.
 
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:confused:

That's simply not true. Nitrox mixtures up to 40% are fine...

Scubapro confirmed that when I rang them. "No nitrox with the Mk25 & S600T". I rang them because the manual also stated "no nitrox".

At the very least, if you were to buy these regs new, then you would probably invalidate your warranty by diving nitrox with them. That is a tangible drawback.

I doubt that any reg manufacturer would prohibit nitrox use with their regs (a definite 'con' to the product) for no reason.... it would negatively effect their sales.

Where did you get your information from? Any links, articles or research papers that support this blanket statement?
 
Atomic has this on their website for the T2x:

# Nitrox ready for dedicated EAN use with mixtures up to 40%
# New T2x for non-dedicated EAN use with mixtures up to 40%
 
I just get from ebay pair of apeks tek3 1stages for 320€ . :D I try to find difference mayself too - iI take them because of routing.


Otherwise I dive with Mares MR32+CWD + 2x proton metal bought new for cca 350€ , like them , they small but membrane grunts underwater (resonate ) because of size . I have heard that scubapro A700 grunts too , but can be solved form some measure changing membrane
 
Atomic has this on their website for the T2x:

# Nitrox ready for dedicated EAN use with mixtures up to 40%

That means you cannot use the reg for air; (or at least 'regular' grade E air) you must get it O2 cleaned and treat it as an O2 reg. That includes no rental air tanks and trusting that all your nitrox fills are done in an O2-clean tank.

Or, if it doesn't mean O2 clean, it's a totally meaningless policy.

Getting back to the OP's aqualung titan question, the answer is that the titan is frequently cited as a best buy and has a stellar reputation. I would suggest that you consider the service options before buying, as aqualung is very restrictive with it's parts. If you can get parts from the same source as you're buying from, no problem. Any decent reg tech can easily rebuild this reg; the first stage is one of the classic designs that stretches back decades. It's getting the parts that can be challenging. For example, my LDS sells me SP parts when I ask nice but balked on aqualung parts, go figure.

Metal 2nd stages are not common these days. If you really want one, buy an old scubapro 109 on ebay for about $40. They're a breeze to rebuild and excellent performers. A titan 1st stage with a 109 (upgraded to balanced/adjustable) 2nd would be a rock solid excellent regulator. You could then use the titan 2nd as an alternate.

Of course, you could forget about the metal 2nd stage and just dive the titan.
 
Scubapro confirmed that when I rang them. "No nitrox with the Mk25 & S600T". I rang them because the manual also stated "no nitrox".

At the very least, if you were to buy these regs new, then you would probably invalidate your warranty by diving nitrox with them. That is a tangible drawback.

Scubapro used to claim no nitrox for any of their regs without modification and you can still find nitrox kits for many of their regs. There tendency to go CYA makes such statements unreliable in my book.
 
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