[h=1]Product Review: HOG Regulators[/h] By
Duane Johnson |
Product Reviews
This summer I had an opportunity to test out the new Highly Optimized Gear (HOG) D1 cold water regulator. A dive store, who sells them, sent me a first and second stage and asked me to dive them for a while to give them my feedback on how they performed when compared to my Scubapro and Apeks regulators. If you’ve read a few of my other
product reviews, you’ll know that I am very leery of new products unless they can solve a reoccurring problem.
[h=3]HOG Regulators – My Initial Thoughts[/h]
The dive store sent me the HOG D1 cold water first stage with the 5th low pressure port on the end of the first stage and the standard HOG second stage. When I pulled them out of the box, my initial thought was they were Apeks clones. The body of the first stage looks pretty close to an Apeks DST first stage (minus the 5th LP port). Both first stages are the swivel style first stages. The HOG first stage has a plastic (delrin or some other kind) DIN handwheel. I had similar ones on my Apeks DS4 first stages that I replaced with brass ones after they broke after a year of use. So I wasn’t impressed with the DIN handwheel. [h=3]Testing the HOG regulators on a Single Tank[/h]
When I put together my testing plan for this regulator, I wanted to compare it to the regulators that I already know quite a bit about. Those are the Apeks and Scubapro. I’ll first start off by saying that I did not alter the intermediate pressure (IP) of the HOG first stage. On my Apeks first stages, I have tuned the IP to about 10-15 psi lower than the manufacturer suggests due to the cold water I constantly dive in. I first put this reg on one of my single tank rigs and took it to my local quarry for a few shallow water dives in the 20 to 50 foot range. Water temps were in the 50F range. I did four dives in one day and the HOG regulator performed equally to my Apeks in terms of work of breathing (WoB) and gas delivery. However, my Scubapro regulators have always had an easier WoB and gas delivery. The HOG did not perform the same as my Scubapro MK25 with G250 second stage. Scubapro wins hands down, even when compared to my Apeks. Hose routing was the same on the HOG as my Scubapro due to the 5th LP port on the end of the first stage.
[h=3]Testing the HOG regulators on Doubles[/h]
Next up I wanted to see how the HOG regulator compared to my Apeks on my double tank configuration. I put an Apeks on my backup post and the HOG on my primary post. With this setup, I was able to switch between the two regulators while on a dive. Water temps and depths were the same. Modified S-drills went OK. The valve drill is where the HOG regulator gave me problems. The HOG D1 first stage is about an inch longer than my Apeks DS4 first stages. The HP inlet pipe is in the middle of the first stage body. This means that when the regulator is on a tank in a horizontal or slightly angled position (like when on doubles), one end of the regulator sticks out and can interfere when trying to reach the valve handle. I found on every effort at performing a valve shut down, I either grabbed the first stage body or the first stage body didn’t allow for easy access to the valve knob. I did notice a change on deeper dives. My Apeks regulators had an easier WoB and delivered a good volume of gas. I felt that with the HOG, I had to work slightly harder at breathing. I’m not talking about anything extreme here. Just a slight difference. WoB is critical. If you have a high WoB, then
carbon dioxide can build up and lead to blacking out.
[h=3]Testing the HOG regulators on Deco/Stage Bottles[/h]
Let me start this section off by saying that I do not like my Apeks DST first stage on a deco or stage bottle. I find that the first stage sticks out and interferes with access to the valve knob on the bottle. The HOG regulator had this same problem. Why is this a problem for me? I dive in very cold water (i.e. low 30s Fahrenheit). Free flows are a constant worry for us. When a free flow happens on a deco or stage bottle, we “feather” the valve. That is keep it turned off when we are exhaling, then slightly crack it open when taking a breath. When “feather” the valve on a deco/stage bottle, it is critical to be able to keep your hand on the knob. My Scubapro regulators do not stick out and interfere with the valve knob. [h=3]My Overall Thoughts[/h]
During my testing of the HOG regulator, I did 32 dives with it in moderately cold water. Depth ranges were from 20 feet down to 100 feet. I did not take the regulator into a more aggressive environment (i.e. deep tech dive or wreck penetration). I’m very leery of taking new, untested gear on extreme dives. So I can’t speak intelligently on how they perform at deeper depths. Overall, the HOG D1 coldwater regulator performed similar to my Apeks. There were slight differences that I noticed about WoB and position of the first stage. Otherwise, the HOG and Apeks were similar. When comparing the HOG to my Scubapro, there is no comparison. The Scubapro had an easeir WoB and gas delivery. The Scubapro also beat the HOG in first stage placement as the Scubapro doesn’t stick out as far as the HOG and interfere with reaching a valve knob. The only down side to Scubapro is that they can free flow quite easily in very cold water. Which is why I use Apeks on my doubles and Scubapro on my deco bottles.
While the HOG regulator was fine, I can’t justify replacing my Apeks and Scubapro regulators. The primary reason is that I can work on my Apeks regulators. Since the HOG and Apeks are very similar, I can’t see spending a bunch of money on another regulator repair class for something that I already can do. HOG is the only company that allows their customers to learn how to rebuild the regulators, but it is limited to technical divers only. I haven’t looked at the course in great detail, so I don’t know the specifics.
When I look online, I’m seeing the HOG regulators being sold as a cheaper alternative to Apeks. I can’t justify the cost of replacing my Apeks with HOGs. Especially considering that my Apeks have performed flawlessly for me in the eight years I’ve owned them. There is nothing new or innovative about the HOG regulators. While the HOG regulators are cheaper than Apeks and Scubapro, if that is their only selling advantage, I’ll pass. If you are looking for a cheap regulator to use in shallow depths, the HOG is fine. But if you are looking for a regulator with great work of breathing, then I’d stick with Scubapro and Apeks.
