When is it time to upgrade to a "better" reg?

[halocline]

Actually, the regs in knowone's photo are among the most successful and great performing regulators of all time. I use a later version of the same MK5 first stage (I like the heavier yoke and 5 port turret) and often use those 2nd stages, the 109. They are the immediate ancestor of the G250, internally identical, and breathe great. Unfortunately, the word is getting out (partially my fault I suppose) and the days of finding a set like that for $50 are long gone. Now you might have to spend $100!

 

[scubafanatic]

When you have a lot of extra cash lying around and it seems to be burning a hole in your pocket. That's when you get an Atomic T2X. That's what I did and I don't know that I can honestly tell the difference between it and my old Scubapro. But I like being able to say that I own one to impress everyone.

My Atomic T2 didn't seem so expensive after I ended up adding $ 4,000 worth of dive computers alone to mine! After I ended up adding all my custom work/mods to mine, that one reg set ended up approaching $ 7,000 ! (list price for the reg, octo, 2 very spendy A. I.computers (Cochran Gemini wireless 3 gas + Atomic Cobalt hosed computers) , MIFLEX, port adapters, M1 exhaust T, titanium Din-to-yoke adapter, etc......no kidding!) Did get the reg (1st/2nd stage @ a $ 1000 discount off retail, in used but new/mint condition) and one of the computers used off E-bay at a substantial discount too, so I didn't dish out $ 7K, but that's the sum total of the list prices to purchase/replace the reg set today.

 

[Kunundrum]

I had an interesting event happen over the past weekend that ties in with your question.

I was assisting an instructor with a rescue class over the weekend, and for those who have done it know it can be a fairly strenuous course. we had an student that was diving with what looked like a 20year old Sherwood brute, if anything a these are workhorse regulator, but in my experience not the best breathing reg. he had trouble catching his breath and he was over-breathing his reg. when we were on shore I let him borrow my spare regulator (AL Legend LX Supreme) to use for the next scenario. he immediately noticed the difference and realized the benefits of a high performance regulator.

This was the first high performance regulator he had ever used, he had been using this Sherwood for almost as long as he has been diving he did not know what he was missing.

Now the Titan LX is a great regulator, value and performance wise it's hard to beat, soon it will be available with two High pressure ports and when this happens there will be no real reason to buy the legend, as this was the main reason I got mine. the performance and reliability of diaphragm regulators are hard to beat and opting for the sealed version (Supreme) will allow you to dive in just about any condition.

the Titan LX is a great High performance regualtor, you would be hard pressed to go wrong with it.

Regards

 

[drbill]

I've dived with SP Mk10/G250s for about 15 years (the regs are older than that... either bought them used or were gifted them). I am terrible about servicing my regs and don't think my primary set has been serviced in three years. The ONLY time I've had anything even close tyo a "failure" was with a Mk10 that had two very noticeable cracks in its core that were invisible until I removed the port plugs. It gave off a loud whistle when breathing on it deep, but delivered air reliably and in sufficient volume top do the deeper dives (to 150 ft) I was doing in Belize and Honduras with it. I do carry an independent backup (pony and reg) but have only used it on one dive, and that was when I overstayed my time at depth and had a longer than planned deco (but still plenty of gas to complete the dive).

While some of the newer regs may breathe a bit better, I've never regretted using these tried and true regs. The money I've saved using them has paid for a lot of air fills!

 

[Atticus]

You don't need to spend a bundle to get good regs. I use mk10/g250's as stage and deco regs and have no issue with how hey breathe at 300+ feet. Yes, the helium helps in terms of gas density but I think you get my point.

I'd keep diving the reg you have until -you- have a reason you need to change it (if ever).