I started out with a bottom-of-the-line Healthways single-hose. I sold it because I was hungry. Never had an issue with it. I got it because it was the cheapest.
About a month or so later I bought a Calypso at a flea market and used it for about 10 years.
In about 1983 I bought a Sherwood Magnum because it has a sealed first stage and is easy to breathe and service. I was not desperate any more and could buy what I wanted. I still dive with it, I think. Since then I have picked up a couple of others and I'm no longer sure which is which, I use the one that is "just a tiny bit better than the other ones." Actually, my girlfriend gets the #1 reg and I use #2. I like the sealed first stage not because I'm going ice diving or anything, I'm just a cheap SOB and want my stuff to last forever. The Sherwoods seem to live up to that.
Somewhere along the line I acquired a Calypso J. The second stage is crappy even though internally it looks just like the other Calypso. I've tuned and tuned and it's simply hard to breathe.
A few years ago I bought a Dacor Pacer Aero for about $10. It breathes great except it flows very slightly when I'm looking down. I can't seem to get it to stop. I have another Pacer Aero second stage and it does the same thing. I have it just in case I have a bunch of divers show up that need regs, and I'll use this one.
The Calypso J is now my 'swimming pool' regulator and has the better Calypso second stage on it. If I was to put it back on it's original first stage I would dive with it, but it would not be my first choice. Right now that first stage has a Sherwood 3100 second stage attached to it. It is a perfectly good regulator. The "J" first stage is just too goofy for me to actually dive with, unless I had to. It's in great shape, it's just goofy.
I recently bought a set of gauges that came with a Sherwood Brut. The gauges were worth what I paid and the Brut is almost like brand new and works great. Once again, if a bunch of divers show up....
I want a double-hose regulator, probably a Royal AquaMaster. Just because I want it. I figure I'd better do it soon because I ain't getting any younger.
If I come across a good deal on one of the many good ScubaPros I'll buy it. I already downloaded the manuals.
