Tech vs. Rec. Regulator, whats the difference?

[DoubleHoseDiver]

How would the aging Conshelf XIV fit the bill with todays modern tech/rec reg? Tim

 

[Fishpie]

DHD
I still use Mares MR12's on doubles....pretty much the same 1st stage as the Conshelf.(they are really compact and have great hose routing) I do prefer balanced 2nd's that I can remove the faceplate, so I use Apeks second stages with them. However, that's just my preference....the original metal 2nd's would have no performance worries.

 

[Trimix2dive]

Marketing Baby!! If I can convince you that my regulator for sale is for "Tech" diving then you'll pay more for it. Oh...this one is "over balanced", tuned for 400 ft cold water, titanium parts, and other special state of the art features. Most importantly...we don't like to sell this one to recreational divers. This one is for that Special Forces, deep diving, mixed gas, commercial, ninja, and black belt scuba diver! Are you man enough for this regulator! Are you prepared to see the expression of envy from your buddies and the "extra long" look youÃÓe going to get from the ladies when you air this mechanism of manhood up? If you beg me to sell it to you and you can prove that you are truly the stud diver this regulator demands...then (after I think about it for a while and verify your references) I may just sell it to you for only three times more than the exact same reg in the case next to it--but with a different sticker.

You forgot to mention the most important "BIONIC" features and Morphing capability.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

How would the aging Conshelf XIV fit the bill with todays modern tech/rec reg? Tim

Performance wise it will be fine - the Titan uses the same basic guts and the Legend is not that much different in terms of overall form and function.

Hose routing can be problematic however. Two things work well for hose routing:

1. A reg built along the lines of the Mk 17, XTX50, Legend, Poseiden, etc. where you have 2 or 3 Lp ports per side and one HP port on at least one side and on the same side as the 2 or 3 LP ports. That allows you to mount the reg sideways and run all the hose basically straight down for a very clean hose routing with no line traps or hoses pointing out away from the mid line.

2. A reg built along the lines of the Scubapro Mk 5, Mk 10 Mk 15, Mk 20 and Mk 25 and the various clones, where you have a 5 port LP port turret with a port in the end. This allows primary reg to be angled about 45 degrees so that the long hose comes out the end port and routes down the right side of your body. A similar angle on both first stages places the HP and LP ports required in more or less the right directions for a criss crossing hose routing it is also fairly clean.

With a round reg with ports around the perimeter like the Conshelf, the hose routing options are not nearly as clean.

 

[Fishpie]

I haven't got any 14's on hand right now but from memory there shouldn't be a problem. Think of an upside down L on the left post and it's mirror image on the right...where the HP hose on the left post goes straight down and the back-up (short hose) comes out at right angles parallel to the manifold.
On the right post the long hose goes straight down and the inflator hose comes out at right angles parallel to the manifold over to the LPI.
This setup has similar routing to using Scubapro 1st stages and utilizing the end cap (5th) ports.

 

[Greg Barlow]

DHD
I still use Mares MR12's on doubles....pretty much the same 1st stage as the Conshelf.(they are really compact and have great hose routing) I do prefer balanced 2nd's that I can remove the faceplate, so I use Apeks second stages with them. However, that's just my preference....the original metal 2nd's would have no performance worries.

I've been using the same pair of MR12 first stage regs for all of my cave/tech dives for the past 7 years or so. The design offers a gas flow rate of around 140cfm, which is plenty for my needs. Considering that few second stages can flow more than 70cfm, it clearly is sufficient. The design is very simple to service, and with the addition of the new tri-material HP valve assembly, it is ultra-reliable. Another big plus is that the DFC (Dynamic Flow Control) allows the IP to only drop around 8-10psi even under full free flow.

I do have my eye on the new MR12S, though. I like its low profile and replaceable HP hard seat.

Greg Barlow