So do you spend $300 or $800?

[johnnyscience]

The older Conshelfs can be serviced to use Nitrox. Remember, the Titan and Conshelf regs are really the same regs. The differences are external. If you just take your time and look around, you can find a Conshelf in mint condition for a good price. I recently bought a like new Conshelf 22 1st stage and a mint Conshelf SE 1st stage for $60 each. A couple of weeks ago, I also bought a brand new Conshelf 14, still in the box, for $198. The Conshelf 14 was still in production until last year. It is the most popular reg AquaLung ever made.

Just take your time and keep your eyes open. Ebay is a good source of quality, used regs.

That 30 on Ebay doesn't look pitted to me. It just looks like it has water spots on it. A quick soak in white vinegar and it would probably clean up nice.

True, some of the regs listed on EBay show heavy use, but a lot of them haven't been used much. You just have to look for them. Just don't get in a hurry. Buy from a seller that allows returns in case you're not satisfied with your purchase. I've bought Three Conshelf XIs, a Conshelf XII, a 14, an SE and a 22 off EBay and am satisfied with all of them. My 12 year old son is currently using the SE and one of the XIs as a backup. My oldest son has the 22 and one of the XIs as a backup.

Myself, I dive a 1959 US Divers AquaLung DA Aquamaster double hose reg, a new Conshelf 14, a Conshelf XI, a Conshelf XII and a USD Aqualung Aquarius.

Ok I've got plenty of time to wait & find a good deal. So I wont rush anything.

But if the Conshelf 14 was the latest made metal 2nd stage just from last year, that is the model I'm probably going to look for since whichever ones are for sale should be in great condition & it was the newest of the metal models.

Would the 14 need to be serviced for Nitrox, or is that model ready to go for its use?

Normally regulators seem as if they are a set, how lucky do I have to be in order to find JUST a Conshelf 14 second stage? (I'll probably end up getting a complete Titan model & using that regulator as the octo as you suggested so I wont need the 1st stage in a Conshelf set)

Why has everyone else but scubapro stopped making metal regs?

 

[Paladin]

It doesn't have to be a Conshelf 14 second. A metal second from an Aquarius, Conshelf XI, XII or 14 will do. They are all the same. AquaLung used the same 2nd stage reg for all of their systems back then.

Any used reg you get would need to be serviced and cleaned for Nitrox.

Everyone stopped using metal seconds because plastic is cheaper.

 

[johnnyscience]

It doesn't have to be a Conshelf 14 second. A metal second from an Aquarius, Conshelf XI, XII or 14 will do. They are all the same. AquaLung used the same 2nd stage reg for all of their systems back then.

Any used reg you get would need to be serviced and cleaned for Nitrox.

Everyone stopped using metal seconds because plastic is cheaper.

Ok cool I'll try to keep my eyes peeled for a good deal on all of those models and a good deal on a titan.

There is a really good deal available on a new Titan reg, (last years model) its not the LX model though - whats the difference between the two?

 

[jacksatlanta]

If you are set on a metal second stage and want to keep the price under $300 than I suggest you watch for used Mares MR22/Abyss setups, a great balanced first stage and solid performing 2nd stage, or the v16/Metal Proton 2nd stage its a little smaller and lighter than the Abyss 2nd. These come up on e-bay once in awhile at affordable prices and sometimes even on the web new at great prices. We are running a sale in our store (only) right now for a new MR32/Abyss for just slightly more than your budget. I have dove these in tech conditions for years without trouble and personally like the metal 2nd's I'm just upgrading to the A700 cause I can.

 

[Fishpie]

The regular Titan has an unbalanced 2nd stage....like all the old(er) USD 2nd stages.
The LX uses an Apeks balanced 2nd stage.
Most balanced 2nd stages have an internal metal barrel which will act as a condensation trap.
In really warm water condensation is reduced anyway.

The old USD metal 2nd stages made since the early 70's are pretty much identical through the decades......their age is irrelevant.

My favorite Conshelf 1st stages are the 14, 21 and 22 as they only have 3/8" low pressure ports (the 14 has 3 and the 21 and 22 have 4 LP ports).....the others have a 1/2" port or less than 3 LP ports.
.....my least favorite Conshelfs are the SE and the 30.....as they only have 1/2" LP ports.

 

[Paladin]

What Fishpie said is true. The main difference between the Titan and Titan LX is in the second stage. For recreational diving, the so-called "balanced" second stage is overkill and adds to the complexity of the reg set. Under the usual diving conditions that you are likely to encounter, you would be hard pressed to notice any real difference in breathing effort between balanced and unbalanced second stages. For your first reg set, I would advise you to stay simple.

I like the Titan (though I don't own one yet) because its a tried and true system that has been going strong since the 1960s. The Titan is the current model of the Conshelf line, just with another name. It's rugged, dependable and economical. I have seen Conshelfs that are 30 years old and have never been serviced, yet they are being dived regularly by their owners.

The thing I like about the Titan is its replaceable volcano orifice. If anything is going to kill a Conshelf, it's irreparable damage to the volcano orifice (though this is exceedingly rare). It's the only part in a Conshelf (or any regulator, for that matter) that is difficult or impossible to repair if sufficiently damaged. The fact that the Titan's volcano orifice can be easily swapped out with a brand new one insures that a Titan will be virtually immortal.

For a first regulator set, a good, used Conshelf or Titan (a Conshelf would be cheaper) with one of the older USD AquaLung metal 2nds would be ideal. Tough, reliable and easily serviced, even if you decide to learn to do the service yourself. If the reg comes with a plastic second, it would make a great octo.

As far as the tools needed to service a Conshelf/Titan reg set, the only specialized tools I purchased were an AquaLung poppet driver (for working on the second stage) and a pair of circlet pliers. I bought them from Scuba Tools. For everything else, standard tools from your garage are all you need. Any of us DIYers here on the board will be glad to give advice on how to service your reg when you're ready to try it yourself. You could even pick up an old Conshelf XI or XII dirt cheap to practice on, then use it later if you want to use it on a pony bottle. If it comes with a second stage, that would be a bonus.


EDIT: I also purchased an IP gauge for setting the intermediate pressure.

 

[diversteve]

Ok I'd say I'd like to service my own regs, but I have no idea what is needed or if any special tools are needed. I'm a smart guy and guy do if if I knew how though. But sending it away every other year for $60 is still not a bad option.

The $60 is what I pay locally to have my reg serviced. Since I bought it new, parts are free lifetime - they're not much if you don't buy new - I think my buddy pays $12-15 for the parts kit.

Any idea what the difference between an Aqualung Titan & an Aqualung Titan LX? (Other than the LX being the new model, any real differences? There is someone selling a new Titan for a great deal)

I'm not any sort of Aqualung expert but just a quick look on the website indicates that the LX may be lighter, has a pneumatically balanced second stage, a venturi assist lever instead of a knob on the Titan and includes the ACD - auto closure device that's an option on the Titan.

I can't speak for Aqualung but in the Atomic line all their models breathe identically - the difference is in the materials used in the first/2nd stages including the metal for both internal and external parts. Also their higher end models include features like swivels on both stages which helps with hose routing and jaw fatigue.

But obviously as you mentioned these are ABS. I was taking a look at the other regs that Aqualung sells & noticed the Kronos, I seen it on LeisurePro for $349, so I'm guess I can find it around $300 or less if I look hard. Is the Kronos a metal second stage? It looks to be that way?

No, it's a Polycarbonate 2nd with a metal trim ring on the face. The advantage to that reg is that all the bubbles deflect to one side. Poseidon and some other regs also do that - personally I've never had a problem with the normal exhaust (both sides) on any reg I've owned. There might be a slight advantage for serious photographers.

The only all metal new 2nd stages I'm currently aware of are the ScubaPro A700 or the Mares Proton Metal.

Is the Kronos a much better model than the Titan line?

I don't know.

But I guess I'm a little confused on the warranty and whats covered. So is "servicing" ever free, or is it always a $60 charge? Does the LDS repair it or do they send it back to Aqualung? Where does the warranty fall into place if youre spending $60 to have it serviced?

If you buy a used one off ebay that isnt covered under Aqualungs warranty, will the LDS still service it to brand new condition for $60?

Authorized dealers for any reg generally have certified techs on-site to rebuild your reg. Mine always quotes me a week then calls a couple days later to say it's ready. With many new regulator purchases, parts are free for life, service isn't. Your LDS may have other policies like free service if bought from them etc.

Some shops do send regs in - places like Sport Chalet (west coast sporting goods stores) have only one or two regional repair centers they ship all their repair work to. Scubatoys has their own on-site repair techs and I believe a one week turnaround.

Some mfr's also have factory service centers - afaik Oceanic, Zeagle and Atomic offer that option.

The $60 is just what I pay. Contact your local LDS and ask them what they'll charge if you walk in with a reg (new or used) vs. one bought new from them.

 

[herman]

................................................
As far as the tools needed to service a Conshelf/Titan reg set, the only specialized tools I purchased were an AquaLung poppet driver (for working on the second stage) and a pair of circlet pliers. I bought them from Scuba Tools. For everything else, standard tools from your garage are all you need. Any of us DIYers here on the board will be glad to give advice on how to service your reg when you're ready to try it yourself. You could even pick up an old Conshelf XI or XII dirt cheap to practice on, then use it later if you want to use it on a pony bottle. If it comes with a second stage, that would be a bonus.


EDIT: I also purchased an IP gauge for setting the intermediate pressure.

When you get tired of fighting the HP stage assembly, let me know and I will ship you a HP assembly tool.

Hows that for a shameless sales plug.

 

[johnnyscience]

That Mares Proton is really badass. It's on the pricey side retail, maybe the bay will have a good deal on one.

I'm also considering using the Miflex hoses. Do they fit all regulators? Titan, Conshelf, Mares Proton etc?

If I had the cash I'd pick up a Mikron or Apeks Flight to keep the size down but those are really pricey.

 

[Paladin]

When you get tired of fighting the HP stage assembly, let me know and I will ship you a HP assembly tool.

Hows that for a shameless sales plug.

Ooh, that's shameless, alright!