Stage Reg

[nordiques]

Hello,
I have finally made the jump to more technical diving! I am now diving doubles and wish to add an Al80 as a stage that i would carry for practise untill i am truly ready to take the complete plunge to full deco, etc...

I have the oppurtunity to get a brand new Sherwood Brut (the new generation) and a basic spg for less than 250$.

I would like you opinion on this reg both for a stage use and to use as a single.

By the way, i usually dive cold waters of the north-east!!!

Thanks for your help

 

[oldschool]

I believe the Sherwood first stages are still dry bleed. There is always a tiny flow of air going thru the fist stage to keep water out. It exits the first stage thru a small port which means a very small stream of bubbles. The loss of air is extremely minimal, probably unnoticable for several dives with a full tank. However, it can be annoying for some. I currently use an older Magnum II on a pony bottle. Eventually, I want to find a cheap used Scubapro MkII first stage to replace the Sherwood. The Sherwood Brut is a rock solid regulator though.

 

[PfcAJ]

I think Sherwood regs have some sort of a bleed system where a little stream of bubbles comes out all the time from the 1st stage. If thats the case, I wouldn't use that reg. When you aren't using the stage and the valve is turned off, you want the reg to remain pressurized to keep water out.

Also, ideally, the face plate on the 2nd stage should be removable. See my post over in the DIR forum (under tech diving specialties) for more info.

 

[herman]

I love the Sherwoods, rock solid regs but as stage or pony bottles I would not use them. If you are not familure with them, they use a "dry bleed" system to keep the ambient chamber dry. Works great but it requires them to put out a small stream of bubbles the entire time they are in use. Gas loss is only a breath or 2 during a dive so that is not a big deal if it's a primary reg but as a pony or stage you have to keep the valves of the tank open during the entire dive an have that stream of bubbles constantly going. If nothing else it annoys your buddy. I would find an old USD Conshelf on ebay, rebuild it and use it instead of a Sherwood. A first and second can be had for under $50 if you keep an eye out . It's another inexpensive rock solid reg but without the bubbles and being a diaphram reg, none of the freezing problems.

 

[Ragnar]

Apeks DS4, new or used is another good one, it's compact and rigs nicely with a 6" hose and pressure gauge, also a good dry sealed cold water reg, I use them for everything.

 

[Jimmer]

Apeks DS4, new or used is another good one, it's compact and rigs nicely with a 6" hose and pressure gauge, also a good dry sealed cold water reg, I use them for everything.

To the OP, you will find a lot of guys in Canada, using Apeks DS4 or Zeagle DSV for stage regs. Affordable and reliable.

P.S. Shouldn't your name be "Avalanche"

 

[M_Bipartitus]

The current generation Sherwood Bruts do not do this. If it is new (actually new, not sitting around the shop for a year or two "new" ) then it only will release air on accent and it's a very small amount of air. The newer Brut first stages have a small internal Schrader valve that lets a tiny amount of air into the dry chamber on decent and that small amount vents on accent. If you look at the first stage, the new one has a dull finish and a black end-cap, the older ones are shiny. The design isn't really new/unproven, it is the same first stage as some Genesis models.

I don't know if anyone cares about "full" disclosure, but I work as a part-time service tech for a Sherwood dealer.

All that said, my stage bottle has HOG D1 COLD (which I bought before starting at the Sherwood dealer) The HOG is in the price range you list.

 

[nordiques]

Thanks for all your help! i ended up buying a DS4 with an XTX 50!

I guess i can't go wrong with that and i will be able to use it as a single set up also

and no, the nordiques is the right name for me! ( they are gonna come back, don't worry)

 

[Centrals]

and no, the nordiques is the right name for me! ( they are gonna come back, don't worry)

They are probably praying for something similar in Winnipeg!!!