Which Brand Makes "Top-Notch" Regulators?

[PenguinAdLitem]

I don't have enough experience to broadly compare. I bought my Zeagle Flathead after diving ATX50 (and ATX40) several times. I'm glad I did - I don't notice a difference in the performance, but the Zeagle hasn't frozen open on me (even when I dared it to by breathing it on the beach), and the Apeks 2nds seemed really prone to icing.

 

[triton013]

I think now days its a matter of personal preference and who you talk to about a reliable regulator. Back then if I'm right their was a difference in between some of the manufacturers. IP setting was different, hose fittings were large (1/2") or small (3/8") for your primary or even your inflator sometimes. Now I know my SEA has a large port for my primary and I think Apeks ATX 200 has the same too if I remember correctly.

Me personally I use a SEA Cousteau with a ATX 50, Dacor Viper America, and Dacor Eagle Sport. The Viper is probaly my least used reg while the Eagle Sport and USD gets all the action. Currently I'm looking at the Dacor DPD. Your probaly asking why. Hey, for the price you can't beat it. Also anytime soon now I got a ATX Tungsten on the way. Can't wait to put that baby to work.

 

[Bubble Junky]

I'm Apeks all the way !

 

[matti_anttila]

My Mares Abyss breathes better than my Apeks DS4/TX50 & ATX50.
The Abyss is much older and hasn't been serviced for ages, still better.
Since Andy doesn't consider Mares to be able to make "Top-Notch" regs, I'd guess that I'll have to go and hide now. Regardless that there is only 1 other reg that was ever deeper than the Mares Abyss.

I give my vote to Mares MR22 Abyss. I own two Abyss' (the other one is Ruby
Titanium, but I have changed the ruby HP sheat to a rubber one), four Apeks TX50
and two Scubapro MK20/G250, of which I use the Apeks and Scubapro as a stage and
deco regs. Abyss is clearly the most easy breathing and the most reliable of these,
however it must be said that my Apeks' and Scubapro's aren't top-of-the-line of their
brand. I have taken my Abysses down to 450 feet in ice water with no noticeable
effect in breathing resistance, and just once in ten years I have seen someone's
Abyss to free-flow due to freezing (it was damn cold winter day and the guy was
using his Abyss for the second ice dive of that day and he let his 2nd stage be outside
during the surface interval). My Apeks' and Scubapro's have free-flowed also seldom,
but occasionally they will, especially in winter time here in Finland. I don't appreciate
the ruby mechanism in MR22 Ruby, since I had 11 of those changed in 1997-1998, all
of them not because of the ruby system, but because of the technopolymer female
cap against of the ruby poppet. But these were the first years of Ruby, now it is
apparently again working, as is the "old" MR22 Abyss 1st stage. The titanium is neat,
but it gathers more salt as the plain chromed one. I still appreciate the metal mesh in
the old Abyss Ruby 2nd stage.

Summary: My vote to Mares MR22 Abyss. No titanium, no ruby mechanism. Very easy
to maintain and service, although it is somewhat expensive.

Matti
http://www.techdiver.ws/

 

[Mark Vlahos]

i've tried this before in a number of ways, but it's never quite worked.

i am wondering, if having to chose based on "brand" names, and considering
only the best regs each brand makes, what are the "best brands" for
regulators out there?

i've always read and heard that the top notch brands are Apeks, Poseidon,
Atomic, Scubapro, and Zeagle

followed by all the rest, with Aqualung sometimes categorized in the top tier

so ... my question is, which are the "top-notch" regulator manufacturers?

Andy,

I am more than a little confused about why you are starting this thread. Do you only want to watch everyone type? Are you still looking for cave regs for your doubles?

You know as well as anyone that at best you will simply get a listing of the same information that has been offered up time and time again. There must certainly be some brands that offer only complete junk, but most brands flagship regulator will almost certainly perform well at recreational depths. If you are looking for a regultator to go deep with air then the list will narrow a bit, but again it is just going to be more of the usual suspects. If you are looking for regs that will work in an overhead, again you might eliminate a few, but still just more of the same brands and models that have been brought up so many times.

The search for the "best" regulator has many considerations, and not all of them are performance related. Some people will make a choice based on cosmetic considerations feeling that techincal performance is generally equivalent with other quality regulators. Others will look at machine breathing test results. Many choose ergonomics. For many the choice is based largely on the ability to get a regulator serviced in the remote areas where they dive. A few do their own service and rate the ability to obtain parts at the top of the list. There are lots of other things people may base a decision on, but one thing is sure, you will not find one regulator that everyone will agree is the best.

Good luck in your quest,

Mark Vlahos

 

[H2Andy]

I am more than a little confused about why you are starting this thread. Do you only want to watch everyone type? Are you still looking for cave regs for your doubles?

maybe i'm not asking the question right (and no, i already got Apeks for my doubles)

i'm trying to find out which brands of regs are considered "a cut above" the rest.

 

[Drewpy]

Ahh Yes Catherine...that was one of my reasons for going with SP!
I dive a Mk25 s600 and have had over 200 problem free dives with it!
Theres a lot of good regs,but the fact that SP is more prevelant overseas and in travel destinations had me select them?


Drew

 

[Zak OHara]

Don't you think that is a subjective question? Would the answers from all of these posts make you buy one over the other? It is not possible for everyone who's posted to try, hold, and breathe, on every manufacturers regulator to offer an honest evaluation and answer? This is going to boil down to each persons assessment of the products they own, maybe the service a manufacturer provided to them at some point. Or an LDS's opinion of a manufacturer which may be biased based on other things than product. I've walked into one store and the owner was ranting an raving about X regulator in a good way. Then I go into another store and the owner is ranting and raving about the same reg in a bad way. Go figure? I think there are too many variables for anyone to answer your question without it simply being an opinion. Having said that I vote Mares

 

[cerich]

Don't you think that is a subjective question? Would the answers from all of these posts make you buy one over the other? It is not possible for everyone who's posted to try, hold, and breathe, on every manufacturers regulator to offer an honest evaluation and answer? This is going to boil down to each persons assessment of the products they own, maybe the service a manufacturer provided to them at some point. Or an LDS's opinion of a manufacturer which may be biased based on other things than product. I've walked into one store and the owner was ranting an raving about X regulator in a good way. Then I go into another store and the owner is ranting and raving about the same reg in a bad way. Go figure? I think there are too many variables for anyone to answer your question without it simply being an opinion. Having said that I vote Mares

Well said Zak, we do get to hear many conflicting accounts don't we?

I'm not voting Mares, but just because...not for any real reason

 

[hlsooner]

I will throw in my opinion. I use Mares, and I have found the Abyss to be as good as any regulator I have tried, which includes Atomic and Apeks. Oceanic is my preference for the best value in regulators, and their wide distribution along with internet friendly policies makes them my regulator of choice where value is a concern.

Everyone raves about Apeks, but dealing with all the BS from Aqualung now that Apeks is under their control seems like too much of a hassle for any marginal increase in quality over other manufacturers' top notch regulators.