What's in a regulator?

[Gone for diving]

Well it was suggested even in this thread,
- what type of diving is being done, warm or cold water,
And have heard people saying stuff like that, and in my experience I have not understood what a warm water reg meant?
(It Should mean cheaper because there is less development to the regulator)


I want a reg I can go ice diving and down south diving,
If the regulator can't do both I am not interested in owning it,


I have experienced a buddy's regulator freezing up in 45-50 degree water on a cold water Sherwood reg, but I am sure it was the way they where breathing,,, in little sips, and ice crystals allow it to start free flowing,,, shut it down, and 1 min later works perfectly,

 

[Belzelbub]

First order of business is to replace the Primary 2nd stage which is no longer serviceable.

What considerations do you have when buying a new reg? What features do folks look for? What makes a "good reg" "good"?

Definitely start with your local dive shop(s). It makes no sense to buy a really great reg somewhere if you can’t get it serviced locally.

You mentioned that your primary 2nd is no longer serviceable. I’m not sure of the reason for that, but there may be a way to guard against it if it’s due to obsolescence, not damage.

My family all dives Zeagle regs. The newest is under a year old, the oldest is over 18 years old. The oldest reg is actually discontinued, but still no trouble getting serviced as all three use the exact same service kits. This is a good indication that you’ll still be able to get service for a long time. Go into your LDS and ask how many different service kits for a particular brand. A low number is better.

 

[ScubaFLee]

Definitely start with your local dive shop(s). It makes no sense to buy a really great reg somewhere if you can’t get it serviced locally.

You mentioned that your primary 2nd is no longer serviceable. I’m not sure of the reason for that, but there may be a way to guard against it if it’s due to obsolescence, not damage.

My family all dives Zeagle regs. The newest is under a year old, the oldest is over 18 years old. The oldest reg is actually discontinued, but still no trouble getting serviced as all three use the exact same service kits. This is a good indication that you’ll still be able to get service for a long time. Go into your LDS and ask how many different service kits for a particular brand. A low number is better.

Obsolescence. Manufacturer went out of business. I've been able to find parts till recently.

 

[ScubaFLee]

Yeah, the OP lists his location as North Carolina and has been using hand-me-down regs. I'm thinking near-freezing water is not in the cards.

Her location.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Her location.

WHOOPS. The avatar pic is small for my eyesight.

 

[lowflyer]

Me too, I have spent as much twenty five whole dollars for 2nd stages that I use thousands of feet back in caves. Guess I'm lucky to be alive.

"Price of regulator" and "likelihood of survival" have nothing to do with each other, and it's really tiresome to hear this nonsense perpetuated. Want to know what IS essential for survival in diving? Good judgement, training, and dive skills.

OK, so you are special and know a lot about regs.
The OP is a new diver. He likely knows very little about regs. He doesn't know whether a used $25 reg is defective and needs service or even if it can be serviced or rebuilt.
I certainly agree that if someone is as smart as you they can buy an old reg and know if it's usable and service it.
Are you suggesting the OP should go buy a cheap, used reg? Why not give him some advice instead of just responding to my post?

 

[Lorenzoid]

@lowflyer, @halocline can clarify, but I didn't interpret his comment as literally suggesting to a new-ish diver to buy used gear; rather, I took it as using the example of used gear to make a point that it's not necessary to spend a lot of money.

 

[ScubaFLee]

OK, so you are special and know a lot about regs.
The OP is a new diver. He likely knows very little about regs. He doesn't know whether a used $25 reg is defective and needs service or even if it can be serviced or rebuilt.
I certainly agree that if someone is as smart as you they can buy an old reg and know if it's usable and service it.
Are you suggesting the OP should go buy a cheap, used reg? Why not give him some advice instead of just responding to my pos

OK, so you are special and know a lot about regs.
The OP is a new diver. He likely knows very little about regs. He doesn't know whether a used $25 reg is defective and needs service or even if it can be serviced or rebuilt.
I certainly agree that if someone is as smart as you they can buy an old reg and know if it's usable and service it.
Are you suggesting the OP should go buy a cheap, used reg? Why not give him some advice instead of just responding to my post?

OP is female. "Her post"

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I am going to be selling some of my HOG regs that I don't need any longer as I cut back on some diving areas. But even though they are used, I wouldn't be asking 25.00 per stage.
The difference is that all the regs I'll be selling will have been fully serviced and come with a test report since I am an authorized tech and technician instructor for them.
One of the issues with buying used regs is that you really don't know how they have been cared for. I've seen "properly cared for, well rinsed" advertised regs come in for service that looked like they were dived a month in salt water and then shoved in a bag and left for months/years.
I can often look at a photo and have a decent idea of how they were cared for but that's no guarantee. I can't see inside them from a photo on line. So I assume I am going to have to get any reg serviced or service it myself.
You don't need to buy a reg from a local shop. You don't need to have a local shop to get one serviced. 90% of my service business is mail order from literally around the world. I have service customer in Okinawa and Guam who have APO's and can ship to me for the same price as someone sending me a reg from Florida or California.
What you do need to have if you can't service them yourself is a service resource who can get parts and can do the work reliably.
I am lucky in that I can also turn around the regs I service faster than some shops that are within miles of my customers. Usual turn around is 48-72 hours depending on when I get them. I've gotten regs in on a Friday from Florida and California on a Friday and had them back in the users hands the following Friday or even sooner.
An LDS is no guarantee you're used reg can be serviced and some won't even try to do it with brands they sell because you didn't buy it from them. I don't care where you bought the reg. If it's a HOG or one of the other brands I service, I'll do it.
Also an LDS is no guarantee that, if they do service it, that it will be done right. I've seen generic parts put in regs, parts not torqued to the right spec, and some just plain not done but the customer got charged because the shop wanted to sell them new regs.

 

[jmcgilroy]

Also an LDS is no guarantee that, if they do service it, that it will be done right. I've seen generic parts put in regs, parts not torqued to the right spec, and some just plain not done but the customer got charged because the shop wanted to sell them new regs.

Couldn't be more TRUE!