What do you look for in a regulator?

[AndrewRG]

I don't need an octo because the diveshop offered to throw in an Scubapro Air2 with the BC, and that seemed like a great offer.

Looking at the HOG/EDGE website, I'm only seeing DIN regulators and some pretty expensive stuff for technical divers.

I'm still unclear what price is midrange, and what I get for that. The lowest I've seen online is $270. The lowest priced recommended brand is Zeagle's envoy ($330). It seems like the $350-$400 ones tend to have diver controlled venturi and some metal construction, and above that price there are more advanced features for deeper diving and such, is this right?

 

[Tortuga68]

Why not buy a reg set that will last you your whole diving career - cheaper than finding out later the cheap(er) regs you bought have to be replaced

I don't need an octo because the diveshop offered to throw in an Scubapro Air2

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I don't need an octo because the diveshop offered to throw in an Scubapro Air2 with the BC, and that seemed like a great offer.

Looking at the HOG/EDGE website, I'm only seeing DIN regulators and some pretty expensive stuff for technical divers.

I'm still unclear what price is midrange, and what I get for that. The lowest I've seen online is $270. The lowest priced recommended brand is Zeagle's envoy ($330). It seems like the $350-$400 ones tend to have diver controlled venturi and some metal construction, and above that price there are more advanced features for deeper diving and such, is this right?

Look here for "true" pricing on HOG gear. The official Edge/HOG site shows "full" retail prices... they allow their dealers to "mark down" the prices:

HOG Gear - Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL

If I were buying a new reg setup today, I'd look at HOG and Zeagle because of their "bang for the buck" and parts policies.

Best wishes.

 

[theduckguru]

I'd like to buy my first regulator (first and second stage, no octopus), however I'm not sure what differentiates them.
From browsing the board, the features I've seen discussed are easy of breathing, longevity, and temperature rating. How widely to each of these vary? What other metrics can anyone identify?

Finally, what should I expect to spend?

Feel free to suggest a specific brand or model if you like.

Brand / model recognition
Quality of design
Quality of the materials [brass/chrome, stainless, titanium. composites]
Cold water vs warm water.
Piston vs diaphram
Over balanced vs balanced vs unbalanced
Accessability of parts and service both locally and worldwide.
Warranty

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/regulators/2009/06/scubalab-top-regulators-of-2009

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/regulators/2010/07/scubalab-regulators-scubapro-mk25s600

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/2008/12/the-best-gear-of-2008

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/2007/09/new-regs-for-2007

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/2006/11/best-new-regs-of-2006

 

[AndrewRG]

Based on all the suggestions, I'm very interested in the Zeagle envoy deluxe and the Aqua Lung Titan. Hog seems a bit pricey still. Are all of these easy to get serviced?

 

[Jim Lapenta]

HOG pricey? You get a balanced diaphragm, cold water, environmentally sealed first stage with an adjustable second that can be taken apart underwater if need be. It has a venturi and they look cool as hell for $250. Nothing else is going to come close to that kind of features and in my own experience performance for that price. Want to go a little cheaper? Look at their Edge recreational line.
Edge Gear Epic Regulator Set w/Octopus - Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL

Add the coldwater kit for another 40 bucks, an SPG, an LP inflator hose if your bc did not come with one(and it should) and you're good to go.

Plus you can buy the kits for them and any competent tech can do the service on them if you don;t want to do it yourself. Just find one at your local shop and ask him if he wants to make some cash on the side.

 

[AndrewRG]

Wow, that does sound great. I thought it was $250 for just the second stage.

Now I'm confused. How can they be so much cheaper than everything else I've seen and be so highly rated? Is this a new company looking to establish its brand or something?

 

[domeport]

I look for reliability and durability. I like a rugged reg that will not have broken second stage after you've flown around the world to a dive site. I pack hastily and that has happened twice. I still use the unbreakable conshelf 20. Its the only one that has served me year after year, trip after trip.

 

[Pullmyfinger]

I'm switching over to Dive Rite regs. Parts availability is the
Main reason.They are good regulators, and I want to standardize all of my regs.
People seem to be very happy with HOG regs. But I'm going with Dive Rite for a variety of reasons.
I've had Aqualung before, and currently have Scubapro. The inability to buy parts kits is kind of irritating, as is their "free parts" program.
-Mitch

 

[aster]

У меня такой же есть, супер!