which one would you chose

[Jiheme]

Hi,

I'm interested in geting my own regulator.
As I have budget considerations, I'm interested in used material cause here in Quebec, scuba equipment is expensive.

I only dive on vacations in hot water, somewhere in the carabian see.

I want first and second stage (regulator, Octopus and console)
I have found 4 kit thar are almost the same price.

1: Cressi

2: Sherwood Blizzard and Genesis octo

3: Sherwood Blizzard and oasis console

4: Oceanic "Sherwood" and "alpha" dontknow: that is what the guy wrote)

Please tell me if one or more of those is a good choice.
Thank you.

 

[Straegen]

The Sherwood Blizzards have a good reputation and are considered a quality regulator. Not sure of the others. I would probably pick #2 or #3. Hopefully someone with real regulator maintenance experience who has broken some of these down can give you a detailed comparison.

I would include an inspection/servicing into the price of buying an older used reg.

 

[tstormdiver]

1st,.... Which ones can be most easily serviced in your area? If they all can, I would say you probably have an even shot at any of them. If you are 100% absolutely sure that you will only be doing warm water diving, then the Blizzards may be a bit of an overkill (as they are better designed for cold water). If you think you may eventually do some cold water diving, then the blizzards are your best bet.

 

[Fishpie]

#2
It's the newest.
When you get it serviced tell the tech that it is to be used in warm water....they should bump the intermediate pressure a bit with a shim or two.....you'll now have an Oasis with a couple of teflon bits. ......price on eBay about $220 max

The last one could be interesting...... It's an Oceanic Alpha with their balanced piston 1st stage .....ebay price $120 max.

Order of preference:
2
3
4
1

 

[herman]

Option 3. The Sherwoods are simple but rock solid design that has been around for years, almost never fails and when it does you can get it serviced in almost anywhere.

One thing to be aware of as a new Sherwood owner.....Sherwoods SHOULD have a small stream of bubbles coming from them. They use a unique method to keep the internals of the regulator dry and sealed. It is simple and effective but it does cause them to stream a small trail of bubbles out of one special port ( rubber plug). They are the only regulator that needs servicing if it is not leaking.

 

[Nemrod]

The only one of those you can still likely get parts for is the Sherwood so that when you go diving in WARM water somewhere in the CARIBBEAN SEA and it needs service, you might be able to get it.

N

 

[Jiheme]

I would include an inspection/servicing into the price of buying an older used reg.

Exelent suggestion !! I will for sure.

Reading all your comments I sent a message for #2.

If it is not available anymore I will contact #3 and #4

Thank you again.

 

[elan]

What you can for sure service in Quebec is Aqualung, Apeks, Scubapro, Sherwood Zeagle is less spread I don't know about the rest... check with your shop before buying. Sometimes shops run trade in programs where you can trade in a crappy reg that might not even work and get a good reg for a great price and it will include parts for life and that might turn at the same level of the price as in other places.

 

[nomro]

I would say checK :
1- The price of the service kit for each set.
2- How easy to get your regs serviced in your area.

Most of modern regulators perform really well esp. in warm water , if you do cold water diving then you have to consider something that works in those conditions like scubapro MK17, MK25 etc....
I'm a scubapro reg fan.

 

[Jiheme]

Hi,
Once again thank you for your help.

Finaly I've found an Aqualung Titan LX that came with an ABS octopus and a two gauge console.
It was the same price, and the nearest dive shop offers service for aqualung products.
I will bring it there this week for a full checkup

Now I just can't wait for my next trip to try it