Tech friendly regs?

[serrada]

my two cents:

As the others have said Atomic, Apeks, Aqualung, Scubapro, etc. are all great for your future needs. My personal preference is the Apeks overall.

Though, something I found out while I was doing my intro to technical diving course is that the tank valve on a single tank setup is harder to reach with some types of first stages.

I took my Intro to tech course using a single tank. During the course we had to do valve drills. I found it harder to them using my Apeks (DS4) regulator http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/106702 while I had no problems (except for flexibility) using my Scubapro (Mk25)
http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/106703

Double tanks have a different hose routing so it's not an issue.

The tech guys I see are using the S600/Mk25 (for singles and doubles).

I like the G250hp/mk25 (I like the new G250V better; also similar are the Atomic regulators) better for my single tank dives. I like the Scubapro for servicability as well for traveling.

I like the compactness of the Apeks DS4 (also similar to the Scubapro Mk17) for double tanks.

 

[matt t.]

Aqua Lung/Apeks and Scubapro are the most widely available regs in the world. I would pick either of those.

 

[CuriousRambler]

Alright, so I'm leaning toward SP Mk17's...What's the deal with DiveRite regs? In other threads I see a decent following, but no one's mentioned them here. Hurricanes are a good bit cheaper than Mk17/G250V's...But I can't really find anything that gives a side-by-side comparison...I figure at this point if I buy something that works well but I decide to try another reg I can try something different and get a duplicate of whichever I prefer for doubles and a stage when I get to that point..Use the matched pair for backgas and the oddball one for my stage bottle.

I like the idea that DR has parts kits available, how difficult is it to service the SP regs myself and to find parts for them? Obviously I'll take them to get serviced when possible, but in everything I do, I like to have the ability to repair my own gear if it faults while in use.

 

[Blackwood]

my two cents:

Double tanks have a different hose routing so it's not an issue.

How is it not an issue?

Unless he/she goes straight to a rebreather, someone interested in technical diving will inevitably need to route hoses for a set of doubles.

Or maybe I misunderstood your post...

 

[scblade27]

If you are interested in the DR because of the parts availability and being able to service them yourself, be sure to check out the Salvo line too. Their part kits run around $20 and they will sell directly to consumers. They seem to be almost the exact same thing as the DR regs. Go to the websites and put a picture of the second stage side by side, other than the color see if you can spot a difference.

 

[CuriousRambler]

Someone had mentioned Salvo's..How do DR's and Salvos perform? It seems like they've got kind of a clique following, which in my experience is produced either by hit-or-miss performance and quality, or just because the name isn't as well known...

 

[serrada]

How is it not an issue?

Unless he/she goes straight to a rebreather, someone interested in technical diving will inevitably need to route hoses for a set of doubles.

Or maybe I misunderstood your post...

You route the hoses differently with doubles i.e.:

Apeks DS4's: http://dir-diver.com/pics/doubles/regs_above_large.jpg

plenty of room to get your hand in there.

 

[muddiver]

If you want a bullet proof reg and don't mind getting laughed at by the hard core tech divers, you can use a Sherwood Blizzard like I do. I agree with Jim Lap, why fix what ain't broke! Use what you have.

If it's parts availability vs. local shop service availability, I use the Kirby Morgan Superflow 350. They will ship any part for your regulator you want, or a rebuild kit with all kinds of extra parts you don't want, even if your not and LDS.

 

[Flightlead]

I have a GT3 second stage as the backup reg on my rec-tech rig and on one of my deco bottle rigs, I don't like them. All my other regs are Atomics (B2, Z1, Z2) which I love. The GT3 breaths harder at depth. while that might not be an issue for a deco bottle that is only breathed shallow, I find they also breath wet which I don't like. Finally, although it is easily replaced, the mouth piece is horrible.

as always ymmv

 

[stairman]

I was told that some dive-rite and salvo regs are the same.Scubamax is also identical.Only the faceplate is different.