Thinking of replacing my regs

[guinsu]

I've been considering replacing my reg set lately, I have an Oceanic Delta 4 and the Oceanic Octo-swivel. I don't feel the delta 4 breathes that great at depth and I have to fiddle with it a lot, it would be nice to have a reg that "just works" without needing adjustment. Also, I want to go to a long hose setup for several reasons and I have read that the swivel on the Delta 4 won't work with that. It seems silly to remove it, I'd rather sell it and get something more suited to what I am doing. Plus I have heard the backup reg in tech diving should be more like a regular reg and the octo-swivel might not cut it. There are a lot of choices of 1st and 2nd stages out there though and it is a bit overwhelming. I was just hoping to find a bit of guidance.

 

[Stu S.]

The Delta regulator should breathe really well at any depth. Last year, our local instructor (and accomplished diver) made a sinkhole dive to 285 feet using the Oceanic Delta. He could have used any kind he wanted.

You may wish to have an experienced tech look that one over.

Good luck with it,

Stu

 

[Standingbear56]

I suggest you take your Delta 4 to your LDS and make sure it is in tune. Sometimes out of the box regs that aren't checked are out of tune due to shipping. That may be all you need to do. Usually the Delta 4 is a great breathing reg.

 

[Fishpie]

Like everybody above has said the Oceanic D4 is a good top end regulator and should breath as well as just about any quality reg.
You are right about the swivel and back-up, they would not be ideal for a long hose set-up.

You also mentioned that you didn't like fiddling with knobs and levers on the 2nd stage.
Here's a suggestion that keeps your existing set.....put the D4 on a 22" hose (keep the swivel if you must) and put the venturi to minus and screw in the knob a turn or two and just leave it alone. You now will need to replace the 180 octo with another 2nd stage. To keep it all Oceanic go for an Alpha which also breathes great and has no levers and knobs and put this on the long hose.
Oh, and get the set looked at by a good tech.

 

[Fishpie]

Like everybody above has said the Oceanic D4 is a good top end regulator and should breath as well as just about any quality reg.
You are right about the swivel and back-up, they would not be ideal for a long hose set-up.

You also mentioned that you didn't like fiddling with knobs and levers on the 2nd stage.
Here's a suggestion that keeps your existing set.....put the D4 on a 22" hose (keep the swivel if you must) and put the venturi to minus and screw in the knob a turn or two and just leave it alone. You now will need to replace the 180 octo with another 2nd stage. To keep it all Oceanic go for an Alpha which also breathes great and has no levers and knobs and put this on the long hose.
Oh, and get the set looked at by a good tech.

 

[UncleJoes]

I concur with the suggestion of having the reg serviced. Be sure to tell the tech about your councerns. If you are set on replacing the Delta, I highly reccommend keeping the FDX-10 1st Stage. maybe consider just replacing the octo with something that better suits your needs.

 

[Scared Silly]

>>Plus I have heard the backup reg in tech diving should be more like a regular
>> reg and the octo-swivel might not cut it.

Personally, this comment goes for both rec and tech. El cheapo octos are not what you want when the gas runs out. I want an octo that breaths just as good as my primary. And why should you? Cause if something does happen I am going to be going for the reg that I know works - the one in your mouth. Which means you are gonig to be the one breathing off the the el cheapo POS.

 

[Couv]

The quality of an octo will not matter when your gas runs out.....I know, I know....just yanking your chain.....

 

[Scared Silly]

Yeah yeah, when your buddy's gas runs out.