URGENT reg recommendations

[lowridersvt]

Humm cheap reg for 130ft for anything deeper than 60ft i recommend a balanced reg makes for a more enjoyable dive.I find allot less tired after a dive with a balanced reg mostly if you end up working hard
These regs are in the 350$-450$ canadian
1. atomic z2
2. apeks xtx40 or atx40
3.ds4 knock off (salvo,diverite rg3000,tdl)

 

[Nemrod]

Titan LX, breaths as good as anything, simple and serviceable just about anywhere on the planet and more than that, not particularly prone to needing service. N

 

[Captain Larry]

Look at the Atomic Z2 with the Z2 octo. Excellent breather. Has Automatic Flow Control (AFC) built in which automatically increases your airflow as you descend. You can't outbreathe it. This feature is standard on all Atomic regulators and this makes the Atomic Z2 the ultimate best breathing low-cost regulator.
You can also decide at a later date to update it with a swivel hose if you desire and your budget can afford it. You can also have the first stange environmentally sealed at a later date if you decide to.
When considering total cost also consider overhaul cost. You only have to overhaul the Z2 every 2 years, and you never lose the lifetime warranty against manufacturer's defects because you forget to overhaul it.
This regulator also has a titanium spring and lever in the second stage for increased corrosion resistance and reliability. We use this model for our rental units. They regularly go to 100' + on our deep wreck dives. Sever of our customers leave their personal regs at the hotel and rent our Atomic Z2 regulators for their serious diving.

Captain Larry

 

[PinkPADIgal]

I agree with Larry. Atomic Z2.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Several of the recommendations have gotten away from "inexpensive".

I agree a Mk 2 R190 will do fine down to 130 feet. It will not however deliver the same low work of breathing as a more expensive reg like a Mk 17 G250V or Mk 25 S600.

There are three major benefits to buying a balanced first stage. One is that they will almost always have higher flow rates as the balanced design allows for the use of a larger orifice. A larger orifice in an unbalanced frist stage potentially results in a larger change in intermediate pressure (IP) as the tank pressure drops from full to near empty. The second benefit of the balanced first stage is that the IP is stable so the inhalation effort at the second stage, particularly an unbalanced second stage, remains constant. Third, the IP in an unbalanced first stage will drop about 140-145 psi to 120-125 psi as the tank pressure falls from 3300 to 300 psi. This has a proportionate effect on flow rate, so performance declines at lower tank pressure. The constant IP of the balanced first stage gives it a performance edge at low tank pressures.

The advantages of an unbalanced first stage are that they are extremely simpll and bullet proof designs. I have never had one fail. Ever. They are also comparatively inexpensive and they tend to be both lightweight and compact. They are also ideally suited to nitrox and oxygen use as there is no high pressure gas past the orifice. The inhalation effort does rise noticeably at very low tank pressures, but this also gives ample warning of low tank pressures and makes it that much harder for an inattentive diver to breathe a tank dry.

One reality of most companies is that unbalanced first stages are always packaged with entry level unbalanced second stages. The unbalanced second stage causes the drop in IP to have a much more noticeable effect on inhalation effort and the flow rate of an unbalanced second stage is often lower than a balanced second stage.

But again, for recreational diving, a Mk 2 R190 would be an inexpensive yet very reliable option that will work fine to 130 feet. And if you move to deeper technical diving it would make great deco reg so it will not outlive it's usefulness. They also make great pony regs in the event you upgrade to a higher performance reg later on in your recreational career and also want to add some redundancy.

A Mk 10 G250 is also an excellent choice on the used market and a freshly serviced Mk 10 G250 in very good to excellent condition will virtually always sell for less on e-bay than a new Mk 2 R190 will in the dive shop. Adn that route will give you very high performance, excellent breathing taits and both flow vanve and inhalation effort adjustments at less than a third the cost of a new MK 25 S600.

 

[Couv]

Hello Seahound,

Always consider very carefully any advise posted here by a manufacture or retailer. This is not say they are incorrect in their advice nor deceitful, just biased toward what they make and sell. In fact, if they did not show a bias toward their product(s) it would be a sad commentary on it's value. Check an individuals profile (mine included) as part of your consideration in accepting anyone's advice. Also, it is worth knowing that some of us who have been around a while also have bias toward the gear we use; this stands to reason, that is why we use it.

Now, to your question: An International Vagabond needs a regulator brand that has a good track record for keeping parts available for each model. Of course unless you intend to DIY, you also want a regulator that can be serviced by your local dive shop and at lots of locations in the world. The two best companies in both regards are Aqualung and Scubapro.

My recommendation for the average recreational diver, i.e. not freezing water, 150 feet or less, is a simple non balanced piston 1st stage such as the Scuba Pro MK 2 (or Aqualung Calypso, Mares R2, Sherwood Brut and a few others.) This simple design is usually inexpensive, nearly bullet proof, easy to get parts for and easy and inexpensive to service. It is also easy to DIY because it requires only a few o-rings and a seat. Yes, the unbalanced design will increase the breathing effort at low tank pressure, but I view this as a good thing.

For a second stage I like an adjustable and balanced unit. This provides the ability to have the regulator tuned to minimum inhalation resistance with the option of the diver increasing the resistance it if he/she finds the need. It is easy to see how an unbalanced piston first stage and a balanced adjustable second stage compliment each other well.

Hope this helps. Let us know what you decided and why.

c

 

[wxboy911]

When I was doing reg research to find "The One" I tried a few and looked for something that was dependable, not too expensive, and that I could get serviced easily if something went wrong. I dove Aqualung Titans, Sherwood Magnums, and ended up with a Zeagle DSV...all the regs worked great but I liked the Zeagle the best and the shop owner I bought from is great. One of my dive buddies went the way of Scubatoys...He called and told them what kind of diving he was doing and they recommeded some packages. The yearly service is done through the mail with no trouble so far. Good luck.

 

[Couv]

Let it be known that DA stole my thunder only because he types faster than me. ;-)

….Now where did I put that Mavis Beacon disc?

Good post DA.

c

 

[Aspendiver]

IST R-10
My first reg. Now my brother has it. Breathes great, any position. Passed Rodale's highest breathing rate test. You can get them for about $150. Never had trouble getting it serviced.
I've since had two MUCH more expensive regs- neither breathed better, and one was worse.