Upgrading reg?

[berserker-stl]

Greetings All

I am a complete and total newbie. I have had one scuba experience and I am hooked. My wife and I are doing our OW soon so we are now looking at gear. Of course, we have to get all the basic personal gear, but we are also looking at some of the packages that our LDS offers for BCDs, regs, octo and gauges.

A package I am looking at comes with an Aeris A1 reg.

For $110 more you can upgrade to the Aeris AT400 Sport.

For $160 more you can updgrade to the Aeris AT400 Pro.

It should also be noted that the AT400 PRO goes for about as much as an Atomic Z2.

Here is where I need the insight of those with more experience and great wisdom:

Would you upgrade?

Would you go for the AT400 Sport or pro?

Or would you see if they could swap the pro for a Z2 (they are an atomic dealer)?

Cost is not the primary consern, but the PRO or Z2 is on the high end of our price range. I care more about getting a piece that works well and will last. I plan on using the "buy once, buy right" rationale when pitching this to the missus? Plus whatever I get will probably be what she gets as well.

Thanks

Rod

P.S. Part of me wants to hear that you don't need to get the best gear to start out and the lower end regs would be fine. The other part of me want to hear "if you're gonna go, go all out". So any input is appreciated.

 

[johnny_bravo]

One thing to consider is that even though the Aeris has a lifetime parts warranty it has a service interval of one year...the Atomics are serviced every two years.

Also the performance of the Atomic is top 3 material.

Cheers.

-J.-

 

[berserker-stl]

That definitely makes the desision between the higher end regs easier.

It never would have occured to me that their service schedules might be different.

Is there a similar service schedule for octos and BCDs?

Also does anyone have any insights they would like to share on the lower end regs (A1 and AT400 sport)?

Thanks

Rod

 

[johnny_bravo]

Is there a similar service schedule for octos and BCDs?
Rod

Well if you mix and match octos with primaries from another brand that could be a problem...I have matching Atomics so they get services at the same time.

Anyone suggesting you service your BCD is just looking to pad their wallet...make sure you rinse it every time you use it in chlorine or salt water...do a visual inspection on straps, buckles, inflator etc and you should be golden.

Hope this helps.

-J.-

 

[squidster]

Greetings All

I am a complete and total newbie. I have had one scuba experience and I am hooked. My wife and I are doing our OW soon so we are now looking at gear. Of course, we have to get all the basic personal gear, but we are also looking at some of the packages that our LDS offers for BCDs, regs, octo and gauges.

A package I am looking at comes with an Aeris A1 reg.

For $110 more you can upgrade to the Aeris AT400 Sport.

For $160 more you can updgrade to the Aeris AT400 Pro.You can get a oceanic GT3/CDX5 for 299.00 on sale.
I got one a week ago ,breathes better then my more pricey ScubaPro.
Its enviromentally dry seald and balanced.
It has the DVT system ,also Also has diver adjustment knob on second stage.
I purchased mine at Scubatoys they are authorized Oceanic Dealers.


It should also be noted that the AT400 PRO goes for about as much as an Atomic Z2.

Here is where I need the insight of those with more experience and great wisdom:

Would you upgrade?

Would you go for the AT400 Sport or pro?

Or would you see if they could swap the pro for a Z2 (they are an atomic dealer)?

Cost is not the primary consern, but the PRO or Z2 is on the high end of our price range. I care more about getting a piece that works well and will last. I plan on using the "buy once, buy right" rationale when pitching this to the missus? Plus whatever I get will probably be what she gets as well.

Thanks

Rod

P.S. Part of me wants to hear that you don't need to get the best gear to start out and the lower end regs would be fine. The other part of me want to hear "if you're gonna go, go all out". So any input is appreciated.

What ever you get ,you are going to have an awsome time diving,
Have FUN and Be Safe.

 

[Nismo]

Consider what kinds of diving you like and whether or not you plan to do more with it. If you are going to only dive on vacaton, no reason to get the upgrades. If you plan on going tech, you'll get better regs, but the entry level ones will still be able to serve you as safe seconds or stage bottle regs. There really isn't much difference in performance if you are doing warm water, recreational limit diving. Colder and deeper then you may want to consider the higher end to start with.

 

[Seraphimx]

If your mainly diving in hot climate or mild climate I wouldnt recommend getting hi-tech stuff. It would be money wasted for Gadgets. If you mainly dive rec and dont plan on doing anything else I'd recommend basic stuff.

Though I'd recommend getting some base of the basic mares, sherwood or oceanic reg setups like this one: Mares Rebel 2 Regulator from LeisurePro.com

or

Zeagle Envoy Rezort Yoke Regulator from LeisurePro.com
id recommend this one better (zeagle)


if you dive mainly in mild waters.
Buying anything more expensive would be throwing money outta the windows.

 

[TSandM]

Anyone suggesting you service your BCD is just looking to pad their wallet...make sure you rinse it every time you use it in chlorine or salt water...do a visual inspection on straps, buckles, inflator etc and you should be golden.

I absolutely disagree with this. BCs have inflators, and inflators have moving parts and o-rings that can get corrosion and wear out. I've had two inflators begin to leak -- one leaked out into the water, but the other autoinflated (and no, it wasn't Halcyon). I've learned to service them myself, but they DO need periodic attention.

As far as the OP's question goes, I'm not familiar with the regulators in question. But I can tell you that I bought Aqualung Titan LX regs for my first set -- They were far from the most expensive or highest end regs the shop sold, but they were an excellent purchase. They've been reliable and breathe well. It was very good value for the money. I suspect this may be the case with the mid-level Aeris regs as well, but never having used any, I can't tell you for sure.

 

[Gooski8]

I have a Mares MR22 Abyss and 2 SP MK10/D400's that are ok. Been looking to upgrade the SP's and have narrowed it down to 3. Dive Rite Hurricane, SP MK25/600 and Sherwood SR1. I like the Dive Rite for the simple reason that it only requires service every 2 yrs or 100 dives, whereas the others require annual service. Atomics have been top runners for past several years, but the price!!!! My LDS specializes in Tec diving. Staff told me that the new Sherwood SR1 is exceptional performer.

As for a BC, I have a SP Knighthawk that is very comfortable. My sons are getting into diving and I have been steering them to Halcyon BP/W. IMO, you can't go wrong with this!

 

[Luis H]

I absolutely disagree with this. BCs have inflators, and inflators have moving parts and o-rings that can get corrosion and wear out. I've had two inflators begin to leak -- one leaked out into the water, but the other autoinflated (and no, it wasn't Halcyon). I've learned to service them myself, but they DO need periodic attention.

Well, I am going to have to kind of agree with you mostly because my experience with some of the newer inflators is terrible. I have tried several inflators, but happen to own several Sherwood BC inflators (mounted on several different BC’s) and for a company that makes highly reliable regulators, tank valves, and plenty of other industrial gas valves, their BC inflators are really bad. I have serviced them and IMHO there are definitely some design flaws.

I still have a couple of old (mid 1970’s) Scubapro inflators that have never being serviced and always worked great. If it wasn’t because they use a non standard quick disconnect coupling, I would still be using them…without bothering to service them.