Titanium

[BarryNL]

So, is there actually any point to this titanium dive gear, or is it all just a marketing solution in search of a problem?

I see you can now get titanium dive knives, dangerously combustible titanium regulators and now titanium backplates.

Any of this stuff worth the money?

 

[fishb0y]

Not in my opinion.

As far as regulators go, is the savings in weight and corrosion protection worth the premium to the price while sacrificing some of the safety when it comes to higher O2 levels? Sure, you can make them )2 clean, but still... Besides, I can't think of very many people who have said, "Man, this kit is just too heavy, if only I had that titanium regulator to bring some of this weight down!" But hey, that person may be out there.

I think titanium knives are a little less than to be desired also... while they hold an edge well, they are too brittle to use as a pry tool like you could with a SS knife (I'm not talking about prying off portholes either).

And for a backplate? Wow, that would be pretty expensive. Again, unless you do a lot of traveling and/or you have <8% body fat, you would need some of that weight a SS or even Aluminum BP would give you.

Bragging rights are fine (I recently sold my titanium knife on e-bay for the same price as 15 Betty Crocker Dive Knives), but the high price for an exotic metal just isn't worth it for me.

 

[Loneranger]

I think alot of the push toward high end metals was just the result of demand being put on manufactures to come up with something better. I think the corrosion resistance factor was alot of that demand. The same evolution is occuruing with carbon fiber as well. Big $$$, but the extra performance is probally not worth it for most.

 

[Footslogger]

So, is there actually any point to this titanium dive gear, or is it all just a marketing solution in search of a problem?

I see you can now get titanium dive knives, dangerously combustible titanium regulators and now titanium backplates.

Any of this stuff worth the money?

==============================
Well ...my second addiction is backpacking and the whole Titanium thing has hit that arena as well. In backpacking, the weight of what you carry is significant and Titanium is lighter and stronger. That said, Im not certain Titanium offers as great an advantage in the diving world. In scuba gear I think it has almost come down to a "color" than it has a specific hardware distinction.

'Slogger

 

[The Kraken]

I think a Ti backplate might be in order if your diving destination was on another planet and you were seriously concerned about the max gross takeoff weight of the space shuttle.

the K

 

[jonnythan]

The only advantage is weight, and in diving, you strap extra lead on anyway, so the weight of your regs is irrelevant. Save 1lb of metal on your regs, strap 1lb of metal to your waist instead.

Combine this with the fact that Ti regs are way more expensive and not O2 compatible and you have no reason to use them.

 

[Damselfish]

The weight of regs is not irrelevant if you are traveling, I'd rather use the weight there than carry it with me. But I agree TI isn't worth the cost for the small weight savings, never mind the other factors. The corrosion resistance would be nice but again not for the price, plenty of cared for old regs out there that haven't corroded away yet.

If TI was just modestly more expensive and there were no O2 concerns I'd probably have one.

 

[Fort Collins Bob]

One of the drawbacks is that you should not use it w/ higher O2 contents..

Bob

 

[SteveAD]

but titanium is just so COOL

 

[Fastmarc]

but titanium is just so COOL

I agree. I just love titanium.
That said, I wouldn't go bonkers getting titanium backplate, but my knife is titanium as is my Nemo (I have a few watches that are as well).
I like the light weight feel of it as well as the look.