So many regulators, only one mouth...

[steelwindmachine]

I'm new, not even OW certed yet - am enrolled though and I'm looking to learn up on the ins and outs of gear.

Regs, octos, they're tons of them and I doubt I'll be able to try them all - I certainly didn't win the MegaMillions =\.

My local dealers carry Scubapro, Aqualung, Oceanic, Cressi, Apeks, Sherwood, Atomic, and Mares.

I also go to Beneath the Sea every year to ooggle and all the latest goods.

So aside from appearances, is there any good way to figure out what reg to start with that you won't shortly after feel buyer's remorse?

Me, I prefer warm water, and am not interested in anything on the extreme end of diving like caves, wreck penetration or re-breathing.

I read quite a few threads going back and forth on the best regs. Everything from plastic-fantastic to the older, grandfather's clock ole' reliable vintage gear.

I am in no way under any delusions that this piece of equipment is an investment in your life, so it needs to perform and be durable.

Learn me .......... please

 

[redacted]

Do you plan to have your regulator serviced IAW the manufacturer recommendations? Do you want to service your own gear? How would you feel about used regulators?

Regulators are a lot like cars in that they all do the basic job so narrowing it down to the one that is right for you is pretty much your decision. One big difference from cars is that a regulator may well last you a lifetime.

 

[steelwindmachine]

I am mechanically inclined and have been an automotive mechanic, custom fabricator, and worked on electronics.

However, my gf has always been insistent on buying life support gear new from a reputable shop.

Personally, I don't have a problem with used gear so long as it still operates, parts are still available and the price difference is enough to warrant going that direction.

Hypothetically speaking, I suspect if I bought a used reg, I'd want to take it apart down to the bits and pieces, clean everything, replace any suspect wear parts and then reassemble and test. Of course my time is worth something too, so I keep that in mind when purchasing used stuff.

My other hobby is RC helicopters. I'f bought many used models. I strip them all down to nuts and bolts, clean and rebuild. A typical model rebuild can take 5-8 hours. The savings between a new model and a used one can be as much as 60%+.

 

[Fishpie]

For someone who doesn't know a whole lot about regs you have to be very careful about buying used....especially on eBay, since you only get pics to judge condition.
About the best eBay choice for the novice is the US Divers Conshelf:
...parts readily available.
...good performance.
...easy to service.
...very few known problems.
...tons of then around.
...lots of AquaLung dealers for service.
...cheap, easy to get one bought and serviced by a shop for well under $250 (this will be a full set with octo and gauges)

Models to look for are:
14
21
SE2
SE3
22
SEA4
avoid the SE and Select.

 

[metaldector]

I've purchased new, and used. Most of the time the used regs are as good as the new except they are scratched up a little. If you are going to be in the scuba sport for a few years buy the best reg you can afford. If this is just a jump into the sport and then out, buy a working reg and don't worry about if it's going to last. Ask your friends what they dive and if they would recommend it. The first reg I bought was the LDS recommendation. It still works but I haven't dived with it for years because my needs changed and it didn't meet those needs. Expect that you will buy additional regs if you are going to be a long term diver. Don't fret too much about the first reg. After a 100 dives you'll know if you need to up grade or not.

 

[steelwindmachine]

Fishpie, I have seen the USD Conshelfs come up often in discussions of the "best reg". From what I've researched US Divers = Aqualung, but I haven't been able to find model-specific info on their line-up.

My gf and her sister have Oceanic Delta4 regs. They have been in the sport for 8 years and have maybe 75 or so cumulative dives over that time. They like the swivel hose, low jaw fatigue and I guess breathe easy enough for them to not warranty a change.

I just turned 33 and plan to be doing diving for the rest of my life. I initially was star-struck by the Oceanic EOS, but I haven't actually used one. I don't have to be like everyone else in my immediate family and buy whatever they have. I'm certainly buying something unique to me if it works to my liking.

My gf and her sister won't change their gear unless it has some unfix-able problem, is damaged beyond repair or is worn out beyond repair. I'm no brand fan-boy, so I don't have any qualms about having different gear so long as it makes me happy and I either service it myself or relatively local.

 

[Fishpie]

The USD Conshelf 1st stage is equivalent to the Aqualung Titan and the SEA (sometimes known as the Cousteau) to the Legend.
The only difference between any of the Conshelf firsts is the number, size and position of the ports. The SEA is a different (still excellent) design that used identical 2nd's to the Conshelf with the exception being the Arctic.
The Conshelf 2nds are all of the standard unbalanced type and came in 5 models...metal, original plastic, later plastic, Select and Micra.

 

[Thalassamania]

The issue of quality servicing came up in another thread and it relates strongly (in my mind) to regulator choice. Most all regs these days have rather similar performance, top of the line regulators are almost indistinguishable in terms of performance and even the least expensive regulators are as good as the best regulators that were around in the old days. I have always had access to parts and manuals and thus been able to service my own gear, this not only saves money but also assures that service is done right and that in a pinch I can fix my reg in the field. There is only one company out there today that sees things the same way and that makes it easy for the consumer to take care of his or her own gear, that HOG.

 

[fire_diver]

Any modern, mainstream company's regs will be fine. Most beginning OW divers couldn't even tell the difference between a cheap reg and a high performance reg because they aren't coming close to the maximum output of the cheap reg.

Buy what you can afford from your shop, get it serviced regularly, and have fun diving (after you get certified).

 

[steelwindmachine]

Regarding the USD Conshelf and their equivalent, current Aqualung counter parts, why wouldn't you just buy the new Legend or Titan that unlike the Conshelf line (from what I can gather) isn't discontinued?

On the HOG, I have heard a lot of good things on these regs and just read a nice remark about them breathing much more smoothly compared to the Oceanic Delta that my gf & her sister have...