Which First stage for a pony?

[koozemani]

I ran on search for similar threads and found one on this topic, unfortunately it was 5 years old.

Looking for advice on which first stage should I get for a 30cf slung pony bottle. Is weight a consideration, or will whatever is on sale work? Money's not really an object, but I would hate to spend more on my pony than I did on my other regs.

 

[Tortuga68]

What other regs do you have? How are you going to stow the hose? How will you use/carry the pony? What type of diving do you do, depths/temps? Why have you decided to get a pony?

 

[DevonDiver]

I used to use a Dacor Vyper Tec. Very small, very lightweight. It's side exhaust, so there's less problems with routing and access. Works great from either a back-mounted or slung pony. Also, it is a unique shape, so less likely to get confused and use the wrong reg. It's performance is fine for a pony.

The exact same reg is now sold as a Mares Brigade Viper.

 

[koozemani]

What other regs do you have? How are you going to stow the hose? How will you use/carry the pony? What type of diving do you do, depths/temps? Why have you decided to get a pony?

Old faithful is a mares orbiter, backup is an edge epic.
Slung pony. Id stow the hose tucked into a band around the cylinder. Cause I'd rather have it and not need it than not have it.
Rec diving depths. Not below 65 degrees. It's a challenge to talk the gf into 70 degree water.

 

[koozemani]

I used to use a Dacor Vyper Tec. Very small, very lightweight. It's side exhaust, so there's less problems with routing and access. Works great from either a back-mounted or slung pony. Also, it is a unique shape, so less likely to get confused and use the wrong reg. It's performance is fine for a pony.

The exact same reg is now sold as a Mares Brigade Viper.

Thanks

 

[Tortuga68]

Old faithful is a mares orbiter, backup is an edge epic.
Slung pony. Id stow the hose tucked into a band around the cylinder. Cause I'd rather have it and not need it than not have it. Rec diving depths. Not below 65 degrees. It's a challenge to talk the gf into 70 degree water.

I was thinking about suggesting you get the same as your existing reg(s) - but I prefer a turret first stage for stage bottles, make the hose & SPG easier to stow neatly. I use DIN Apeks DSTs with an ATX50 first on 40" hoses with a 2" booted SPG on a 6" hose - but you could use a UST (yoke or DIN), or a HOG D1 (DIN only)

But the chances of you actually needing it are pretty slim, so almost any old reg will do really, as long as you maintain it. I don't carry one for rec diving

 

[koozemani]

I was thinking about suggesting you get the same as your existing reg(s) - but I prefer a turret first stage for stage bottles, make the hose & SPG easier to stow neatly. I use DIN Apeks DSTs with an ATX50 first on 40" hoses with a 2" booted SPG on a 6" hose - but you could use a UST (yoke or DIN), or a HOG D1 (DIN only)

But the chances of you actually needing it are pretty slim, so almost any old reg will do really, as long as you maintain it. I don't carry one for rec diving

Thanks

 

[Hatul]

I just use what I have, which is in my case an old Oceanic Delta 2 first stage, with a button gauge in one of the HP ports. If I did not have anything I'd get a compact mid-price reg.

Adam

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I have the following for stage regs now but will be phasing them out for Edge Epics or the HOG BP1's. Still trying to decide. But right now I'm using Oceanic CDX5's with Delta 3 second, Sherwood Brut w/Blizzard second, or my ScubaPro Mk 16 with an R190. All of them work but as I'm in the process of changing all my Regs to Edge or HOG I want to standardize and be able to get kits to service em myself.

If you decide to go to the Epic, PM me.

 

[halocline]

I had a dacor viper octo, I hated it, I would never recommend buying one. Very poor regulator IMO.

But, since you asked about 1st stages, I would recommend a scubapro MK2. You can find them used very reasonably, they're extremely simple and bullet proof. They are thought to be more tolerant of getting flooded than most 1st stages; while I've never flooded mine, the fact that there is no balance chamber and no HP o-ring probably makes them (at least theoretically) more tolerant of flooding. Another nice thing about them is that if you pair them with an unbalanced 2nd, you'll get some warning as the tank empties. IMO a very nice pony/stage set up would be a MK2 with a 109 metal 2nd stage, left unbalanced. That's a very good performing 2nd stage that is extremely durable and highly visible, considering it's shiny chrome. You can almost certainly find both used for under $100. Maintenance on both is extremely simple; the MK2 uses 2 o-rings and a simple plug seat, while the 109 uses 2 o-rings and a simple puck seat.