Technical Regulators

[EAN]

I checked several LDS I have driven to and the Apeks xtx50 DS4 DIN is $550 in my area. Another shop has the Atomic M1 for $576. This pricing may be due to the fact that I know him. I haven't gotten a Scubapro price yet.

For the two regs I have priced so far in my area, would I be better off paying $26 dollars more to get the Atomic? I wish the DS4 was a bit cheaper. I've hear the Atomic is really high, so my Apeks pricing is probably on the high side. I'll throw the SP in the mix when I get a price.

And now I have a quote from my ScubaPro Dealer. The MK25/S600 is $579.70
On the plus side, they only charge a $20 service fee for 2 second stage set and all parts are free.

Service on the Atomic M1 set would be $100 every 2 years.

It seems that regulators are like car brands. Everyone has a favorite brand and I will eventually just have to pick.

 

[krulle]

maybe a Cressi Sub MC9 SC + Ellipse Balanced

 

[Slonda828]

It seems that regulators are like car brands. Everyone has a favorite brand and I will eventually just have to pick.

Pretty much. Unless something is horribly wrong, they all breathe pretty well and they have to pass pretty rigorous tests to be sold to the public. If the cracking pressure is properly set, it is really hard to tell the difference from one to another. I say buy a balanced one that you like. Maybe find one that is easy to find parts for if you plan on learning how to fix your own regulators. I have about 20 regulators of varying ages from 1953-1985 in my dive locker. Some have two hoses, some have one. Properly tuned and maintained, they all breathe great.

 

[DCBC]

I've had good performance and service with Apeks. There are others of course, but Apeks gets my vote.

 

[atitawhile]

You can always take a look at Mares regs too, simple to use no extra knobs. Easy to get serviced.

 

[Bronson]

I like the ScubaPro 600. I see alot of technical divers in Asia using these and Apex.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

And now I have a quote from my ScubaPro Dealer. The MK25/S600 is $579.70
On the plus side, they only charge a $20 service fee for 2 second stage set and all parts are free.

Service on the Atomic M1 set would be $100 every 2 years.

It seems that regulators are like car brands. Everyone has a favorite brand and I will eventually just have to pick.

EAN,

Precisely right. It is wonderful that we have so many good regs to choose from, but it can also be a curse as you are seeing

Lynne made a great point about the eventual need to own & maintain a fleet of regulators if you really get deeply into tech diving. With that in mind, I'd recommend looking at regulators you can service yourself. This mean regulators that have parts and service kits that are openly sold to the public, no secret handshakes required.

That narrows down your shopping list dramatically.

While you can obtain parts for Scubapro, Apeks, Atomic, Aqualung... it is much easier for Dive Rite, Zeagle, and Mares.

Just something else to consider.

Have fun with whatever you decide!

 

[cbrich]

I am using Hollis regulators, which also gets my pick. But really any brand (Hollis, Apek, Oceanic, Scubapro, Mares, Atomic, Zeagle, Posidon, Dive Rite, Aqualung) will have good quality regs. It comes down to, what do you want. I went with Hollis because I got it on sale.

 

[phil8diver]

My vote on Poseidon but I also have Apeks which I believe is also good.

 

[v--Locke--v]

What's a technical regulator? Is there a certification that needs passing for something to be considered technical? I would suggest a Kirby Morgan helmet and reg. They are darn technical!