Titans vs everyone else!!

[Panadero]

Hi...

So, pretty much everyone says the titan is awesome for it price.
I`ve personally used them quite a bit and can corroborate that they are "bullet proof" cause I`ve see them dirty, bouncing, greasy, well... pretty much everything u can do to a reg that is not good for it.

Couple of questions:
1) in the less-than-300 category of regs, there are the mares rebels, some scubapro, and some more I may not even know about. Most of the people I know that owns a titan (dive officers of universities and research centers) they all mention its the cheapest and easiest to give service, also its everywhere. Does that reallly counts?! How much service can one give to the reg? Should I take a course? Have u guys personally give service or take it to a dive shop? Just wanna know the rate between personal/dive shop

2) The calipso and the titan... anyone!? WHat is "open box" LP sells a calipso 30bucks cheaper with an "open box"

3) I`ve read somewhere somebody posting something that keeps coming to my head.. "buy always something more than what u need" (explaining about how he first didnt needed the nitrox mode and later he did). So... how much is really "much"? 400, 500, 600 regs?!

4 LP ports
1 HP?

Or a couple of 2 HP?!?!

OMG...
(as u can notice im about to buy my first reg...)

THks a lot!

 

[Bubbletrubble]

I used Titan regs during my earlier scuba rental days. I thought they breathed rather nicely. I heard the same thing about the Titan regs being very robust and easily serviced. I guess I'm lucky because my LDS can service pretty much any name-brand reg (Aqualung/Apeks, Scubapro, Mares, Poseidon, Sherwood, Aeris, Atomic, Zeagle, Genesis). I think this is an important consideration in your reg choice.
My First and Second Reg Setups
I recall when I was in your shoes, looking to buy my first reg. I was all set to buy a solid Titan reg...then I tried the Aqualung Legend. The over-balanced reg design really surprised me with its performance, especially at 100+ fsw. Always plenty of air and there was no detectable increase in work of breathing at depth. The Aqualung Legend with ABS octo was my only reg setup for quite some time. Then, when researching options for a 2nd reg setup, I started looking into the Apeks regs . Like the Legend, Apeks regs are overbalanced to provide good flow at depth. In addition, all of the Apeks models ATX50 and higher, have a user adjustable knob which allows you to fine-tune the cracking pressure of the reg. (Higher-end Legend regs also have this feature.) Eventually I purchased an Apeks ATX100 with an ATX50 octo. I've been so happy with it that it's now my go-to reg. Very reliable. Both the Legend and Apeks first stages are environmentally sealed, too. I would highly recommend either reg.
Prices
A very good reg setup can be priced in the $400 - $500 range. The Titan can be found for slightly less. Recently I saw a sale at a local sporting goods store (authorized Aqualung dealer) in San Diego for the Legend ACD: $350 + the ABS octo for $50 more. If you can get a similar deal, I would go for it. For a little more I think you could get an Apeks ATX50 reg + Egress octo. If this sounds like more than you want to spend, I think you would still be quite satisfied with the Titan.
High Pressure Ports
The Legend and Apeks 1st stages generally have 2 HP ports and 4 LP ports. I believe that the Titan 1st stage has only 1 HP port and 4 LP ports. If you're diving a regular one-tank recreational setup, the only time I think the 1 HP port would be limiting is if you ever got a dive computer with a wireless transmitter (which connects to a HP port) and still wanted an analog SPG as backup. I have a friend who says that his Suunto D9 will sometimes lose the wireless signal during a dive, so he also has an analog SPG.
Buying Stuff from LeisurePro
Like others out there, I buy some of my dive gear online. LeisurePro is great for some of those lower priced scuba items that you'll pay 2 times more for at your LDS. Be careful buying expensive dive gear from LeisurePro, though. They may offer some kind of in-house warranty with their regs, but they are not licensed by Aqualung to sell their gear domestically. Consequently, you may not be getting a true manufacturer warranty with that nicely-priced LeisurePro reg. Of the reg manufacturers that I know, Aqualung and Scubapro prohibit their dealers from ever selling stuff online. I have heard that LeisurePro buys their stock of Aqualung regs overseas or on the gray market.
I hope this info helps. Good luck with your reg selection.

 

[Panadero]

It definetly helps... thnks!!!
=)

 

[Nemrod]

The Titan and Conshelf first stages date back to the double hose Royal Aqua Master first stage. The internal parts are actually mostly the same. I believe my 1974 USD (AL) Royal Aqua Master currently sports a new Titan high pressure seat for example. This old and proven design is very reliable and robust. It is also of good performance and combined with a good second stage would make a great regualtor, which the Titan is.

I dive a Titan with double hoses.

N

 

[Panadero]

OMG... thats a niiiiiiiiiiiice reg!!!!

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I have one and like it.

I just moved to Anchorage and the shop here just told me that it costs $130 to get it and the octo serviced.

This seems a bit high.

I'm thinking about buying a Poseidon, they only need servicing every two years. I do like the Titan though.

Mitch

 

[Nemrod]

Truth be known, you could dive a Titan about three or four decades without service. I kind of know this as fact. Keep it clean and rinsed, learn to take it apart and service it. Coerce somebody into selling you a service kit, very simple and robust regulator with good performance.

N

 

[chip104]

Hi Nemrod,

is that the phoenix conversion on your 1974 USD (AL) Royal Aqua Master?

[/end high jack]

 

[Nemrod]

Why yes it is, that is why you see the Phoenix bird rising from flames on the yoke knob, the amazing Phoenix Royal Aqua Master, the name says it all.

N

 

[bolantej]

I love my Titan.