what regulator should I get?

[masenmag]

I just completed my aow and bought a seaquest libra bc. I really don't know much about the regulators... My dive shop only sells Scubapro (he might be a lil mad at me for going with a seaquest, but oh well) Will a scubapro regulator work with my seaquest or should I get a seaquest one? I don't know if they are interchangeable or not, im still learning about all this stuff. What would you recommend as far as regulators and/or computers go?

 

[Scott L]

Any regulator will work with any BCD. You can't go wrong with Scubapro...

 

[DeusVerto]

I have not been on SB that long, but this is the first time I've seen a question of this nature. I do hope your dealer didn't suggest that there are "compatibility" issues between different brands of BCDs and regulators? If so, please confirm any other advice you've been given before acting upon it. This is a great venue in which to do exactly that.

As far as the rest of your query, I'd suggest searching the forums and reading a bit. This is akin to asking "what kind of car should I buy". Ask 10 people you'll get 11 opinions.

 

[Thalassamania]

Take a close look at the Edge/Hog lines. There's a thread here on how people who've been using them for a while feel.

 

[Marek K]

Hmmm... As you know, the only point at which a regulator rig interfaces with any normal BC is the quick-disconnect where the inflator hose connects to the BC's inflator. And those fittings are (as far as I know) compatible no matter what brand they are.

There are very few divers that use gear that's all one brand...unless they've just been totally equipped by the dive shop.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Most new BC's come with a low pressure inflator hose which on one end has a quick disconnect fitting that will be compatible with the inflator on that BC, and on the other has a threaded fitting which screws into a low pressure port in your 1st stage.

Many BC's inflators now use the "universal" quick disconnect fitting.

In the past (and I do not know if this is 100% changed now), some brands used non-"universal" quick disconnect fittings on their inflators. I believe Scubapro, Atomic and Tusa used one type, Aqualung, Seaquest, and Oceanic a 2nd type, Beauchat and Zeagle a 3rd type; and then there was the "Universal" fitting.... so there may have been four types of quick disconnect fittings at one point???

Anyway, if your new Seaquest BC came with a LP inflator hose (it probably did), you are good to go as far as using it with any current first stage on the market.

So as already mentioned, find a regulator that makes your heart go pitter patter, and your shiney new BC should work just fine with it....

And I second the motion to give the Edge/HOG line a close look. Terrific "bang for the buck".

Best wishes.

 

[horsediver1]

Not disputing any of the above posts. Only question is as one looks to future is repair regardless of make or model. With my professional career I use Scubapro, my son has Seaquest which is quality for rec. diving, and I have never heard a harsh word about the Edge/Hog other very few field techs out there.

Just something to check out before any purchase really "Can it be repaired quickly?"

Enjoy

 

[a22shady]

Scubapro makes excellent regulators. Make sure you buy a reg that will coincide with the type of diving your doing. If your diving Cold waters get a reg thats good for cold waters (Scubapro MK17/G250V) which is an awesome reg and will work flawlessly in any waters. Some like the MK25/S600 Combo which akways works great. IMO I like the MK17/G250V over the other. As mentioned above HOG regulators also are a great deal at half the price and from what I have heard have all the performance and breath ability as the others. Other regs out there besides those mention are Atomics which are terrific regs also. I like the Atomic M1's but really all the regs are pretty much equal across the board thats what makes them great only differnce being what they are made of. And the M1's come enviromentally sealed so work well with cold waters.

 

[drrich2]

What would you recommend as far as regulators and/or computers go?

Where computers are concerned, you need to consider a couple of issues. There are so many brands & models, I'll give you some example 'types' from Oceanic Worldwide's line, plus one notable Atomic Aquatics (the Cobalt) due out soon. Be sure it's nitrox-compatible, since you may eventually dive nitrox if you don't know.

Form Factor.

1.) Wrist watch style (e.g.: Atom 2.0 (3.0 due out soon), Geo 2.0). This sounds good until you realize that these things cost a lot of money and you're probably not going to wear it as a watch most of your life.

2.) Wrist 'Hockey Puck' style (e.g.: Veo, VT3). Watch-like but larger & so the display is larger.

3.) Console (e.g.: Oceanic Pro Plus 2.1 - you want the 2.1, not the older 2.0; also consider the Atomic Aquatics Cobalt) - looks like the console SPG/Depth Gauge/Compass that you may already have. Hooks to your regulator by a hose.

Air-integrated or Not.

1.) Air-integrated computers keep track of your air usage, so they function like an SPG. Console computers might as well be weight-integrated, aside from price differences. An air-integrated wrist unit will rely on a wireless transmitter attached to your regulator 1'rst stage; this is said to work decently well, but you may lose signal occasionally. This impacts price substantially; compare the latest Veo to the VT3.

2.) Non-air-integrated. You use a regular analog SPG, and if you want to log your pressures or enter them manually into dive software later, you write them on a slate or something after your dive.

PC Downloadable or Not.

1.) Some computers have (included or as a pricey add-on) the option to hook to your computer (generally by a high-priced proprietary cable) & download dive info. to your computer (usually PCs, but the Cobalt is supposed to also support Macs).

For online orders, I like to go to ScubaToys.com & be sure & mention in their system you're a member here, since I believe you can often get a discount. I've also bought from Scuba.com and LeisurePro.com.

Richard.

 

[DMDavid]

My current reg is a Scubapro G250V/MK25 and it is my third set since back in the day when DACOR was my favorite (15 years ago).

I have heard only good things about the HOG regs but I have no first hand knowledge.

JMTCW