Too Many To Choose From

[Zen1300]

...and too many opinions.

I'm new and really prefer to own my own equipment. Like many others, not sure how to select a regulator. Yeah, I've read all the other topics...

1) What type of diving do you plan to do? Technical? Nitrox? Cold Water?

At this point, how do I know. I just want to get out there and dive.

Honestly, I'm not opposed to buying a first set and then moving on to something else after I get some descents under my weight belt (ok, I have a BCD with integrated weight pockets, but you know what I mean).

But even then there are so many options.

Ebay! Craigslist! You can't go wrong with a good <NAME YOUR FAVORITE BRAND>! Heck, even the 20-year old regs still run like champs!

Each individual has their own favorite, just making it worse. Then you've got those that have had a problem with brand X, but their experience with brand X is limited to the one they had problems with. I'm sure that Toyota driver that got her pedal stuck will never drive another Toyota again.

I've got a local shop going out of business and am hoping to get a decent set from them. But, I must consider that the LDS will be willing to sell me the wrong equipment just to get some cash back in their pocket before they go out of business.

I have another LDS I could rent from for a while. They claim they can even rent me regs that are not "dialed back" so I can experience the real thing. Of course after 10 dives I would have spent enough on rentals to own my own used or even new entry-level set.

Honestly, I'd rather go used car shopping...

 

[Puffer Fish]

Well that is all part of the fun.

I've owned or still own Poseidon, Several Aqualung,Several Apex, Several Scubapro, Hogg and Mares.

I like sealed first stages (beaching diving can get sand in everything)... I like an adjustable second stage (but for reasons most people would not like them).

My favorite (the one I use the most) is the Apex TX200... I have a yoke and 2 din first stages.

I also think a lot of Atomic.....so if I was getting a new reg, it would depend of which of the following a could get a really good deal on:

Atomic (almost any of them with a sealed first stage)

Scubapro MK17 (although I have several MK25's) with a 250V.

The lastest version of the Apex 200 reg.

I would be very happy with any of them.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

The nice thing, at least with regulators, is that pretty much all of the choices out there will make you very happy for years.

If you decide to buy from a LDS versus online, I'd recommend just finding a shop you trust and enjoy doing business with, then buy what they sell... or not

When I returned to diving a few years ago, I bought all of my regs online, including several from ebay. The used ones I rebuilt myself. I did know what I wanted and what to look for before shopping, so that helped a lot....

But you have thousands of "virtual" mentors just waiting to tell you what they like about their gear, and dislike about everyone else's.... ok, so I understand that would be "too many opinions"

Find the regulator that "makes your heart go pitter-patter", that will be the "right" one for you, and is as good a criteria as any other.

Best wishes.

 

[knowone]

Actually a better criteria than most.

 

[halocline]

Honestly, I'd rather go used car shopping...

While I can relate to the dilemma of too many choices, believe me, few things are worse than car shopping.

A nice trouble free reliable reg is the scubapro MK2/R190, which has barely changed in decades of use. You can find a good used one for around $100. Another best buy is the aqualung titan, and the zeagle envoy gets mentioned alot.

As leadturn says, almost any reg in decent shape will do the job just fine for recreational diving. About the only thing you can do wrong is to get something for which parts are unavailable or will be soon. Maybe avoid Dacor for that reason. I'd also avoid poseidon regs unless you specifically know someone who's an expert at servicing them.

 

[knowone]

I love servicing my Poseidon regs. Haven't replaced a diaphragm in years.

Why anyone would use a Scubapro Mk2/R190 other than with a stripped down second stage to blow off parts is beyond the realms of progression.

 

[Zen1300]

Okay, so here's where I'm at...

LeisurePro has the Zeagle Envoys (Primary and Octo) and Aeris XR1 Console, added individually to my cart for $540 (with shipping). My LDS has the same setup as a package for $698+tax. Something tells me the LeisurePro setup is too good to be true.

A LDS that's going out of business in less than 15 days has the Atomic Z2 (Primary and Octo) with an Aeris XR1 Console for $802+tax (online price with discount code). I'm guessing if I go into the shop, I may be able to dig that down a little more.

What would I get with the Atomic Z2s that I don't with the Envoys? As a new diver would I even notice a difference? Is there a parts or servicing issue?

 

[knowone]

Zeagle is Apeks. Apeks is good.
Atomic has zirconium?
Excuse me I forgot, I pay $802+tax for a full set of SH gear, best brands, earlier models which are internally identical to later models, that may need a rinse.

 

[sardiverdan]

LP is a good source for gear just be aware that some of the things they sell may not be covered under a warrenty....Just FYI found this little clip. I have ordered items from them and I have never has an issue but who knows.

Authorized Dealers vs. Gray Marketers

Beyond restricting discounts, some manufacturers like Scubapro and Aqualung prohibit mail order and online sales. To get around the restrictions, some mail order and Internet sellers &#8212; including so-called &#8220;gray market&#8221; operations &#8212; purchase the controlled products from a dive shop going out of business, from an overseas reseller, from a manufacturer closeout, or perhaps from an authorized dealer who buys more than he will sell and surreptitiously ships it to an internet seller with a markup. Of the most popular e-commerce websites, only a few are gray market discounters. The most dominant is Leisure Pro.

 

[Puffer Fish]

Well the Atomic z2 is a 399 retail regulator...they, for reasons I don't understand, tend to price their octo's very high (almost $300). The XR1 is easy to get on closeout for $199. So the Atomic is a $900 setup, being sold for $800... a discount, but nothing to run around the room and party over.

I have several Zeagle's, including an Envoy...ok regulator.

Will you be able to tell the difference? Well not if you don't have the chance to compare them directly. Both would work to go diving.

There is the two year service period with the Atomic, and the fact they are made with a bit better materials.

Personally, I would expect a better deal on the Atomic, and then get it. The Envoy is the old Apex design, and is not my favorite.

But who am I to talk, I have a room full of regulators.

Okay, so here's where I'm at...

LeisurePro has the Zeagle Envoys (Primary and Octo) and Aeris XR1 Console, added individually to my cart for $540 (with shipping). My LDS has the same setup as a package for $698+tax. Something tells me the LeisurePro setup is too good to be true.

A LDS that's going out of business in less than 15 days has the Atomic Z2 (Primary and Octo) with an Aeris XR1 Console for $802+tax (online price with discount code). I'm guessing if I go into the shop, I may be able to dig that down a little more.

What would I get with the Atomic Z2s that I don't with the Envoys? As a new diver would I even notice a difference? Is there a parts or servicing issue?