which reg to buy - newbie

[eslonblue]

Hi everyone i need your help on deciding which regulator set to buy. This will be my first regulator set, Im new to this sport and I dont know which brand or model is good, if they are on the same range or not. I want a durable reg that is best buy for my money.

Here are the diving conditions
-diving in warm water's of the Philippines
-recreational diving (hopefully twice a month during weekends)
-compatible with nitrox
-traveling on plane two-three times a year

These are the regs i have in mind. I already converted the prices in USD.

APEKS - XTX20 (USD 416) or
XTX50 (USD 561)
AQUALUNG - CALYPSO (USD540) or
TITAN LX (USD457)
ATOMIC AQUATICS - Z2 (USD439)
SHERWOOD - SR1 (USD600)
scubapro or other model, brand names and model are also welcome.

I know I have alot of regs in mind, I cannot narrow it down yet because I dont know which brand or model to eliminate. Comments and suggestions are highly apreciated.

Thank you!!

 

[Bubble Junky]

I'd go for the Apeks XTX50s. I've dived with the same set of Apeks regs for 7 years, averaging over 300 dives a year, and never had a problem with them. They breathe effortlessly, and from what I've noticed form using other regs at 'service time', very quietly.

 

[BDSC]

If I were given the choice between the ones you have listed I'd go with the Atomics Z2. Year after year the Atomics regs consistently outperform all other regs they are tested against. (At least according to ScubaLab) So with that choice you'd be getting the best of the bunch IMO and it's priced near the bottom of the group. They also have a two year service interval so if you have to send it off for service, it won't be as big of a hassle maybe.

Of course one thing to consider is where you live and how easy it is to get things serviced and who sells what where. I've been diving for 18 years now and have never had to get a reg repaired or serviced other than the normal yearly service I have done so it's not been a big deal for me. I have always taken excellent care of my equipment. But if you do, indeed, need to have your reg repaired on a quick turnaround, you may be out of luck if whatever reg you have isn't serviced by someone local.

I think all the regs you have listed would serve you well and are good regs. But I'd still go with the Atomics first and if not that, look into a scubapro reg.

 

[OceansBlue]

Of the regs on your list, I would go with the Atomic Z2. Atomic regs have a great reputation. I would stay away from the SR1 unless you have a local dealer. It seems Sherwood has had some issues with that reg. I noticed that you don't have any Oceanic's on your list. I would look into the EOS or a Delta 4 as well. These two regs are great performers, and Oceanic's customer service is second to none. I personally have the EOS and find it to be a very easy breathing reg in any postion.

 

[Couv]

Hello Esonblue,

Shortly, you will be swamped with advise about buying a regulator, mostly by people who own a brand and are very fond of it. One thing to keep in mind about regulators is that most are great at what they do. So how do you separate the wheat from the chaff? That won't be easy, but it will be fun and entertaining. Soon you will find out there are quite a few gurus on this board in each section. It's helpful to pick out a few of them and read lots of their post and you will be off to a very good start. In the regulator section I can highly recommend the post of (in no particular order) Awap, DA Aquamaster, Captain, Pescador775 and Luis H …there are lots of others but that will keep you busy for a while.

At any rate, you want a regulator brand that has a good track record for keeping parts available for each model. Of course unless you intend to DIY, you also want a regulator that can be serviced by your local dive shop and lots of locations in the world. The two best companies in both regards are Aqualung and Scubapro.

My recommendation for the average recreational diver, i.e. not freezing water, 150 feet or less, is a simple non balanced piston 1st stage such as the Scuba Pro MK 2 (or Aqualung Calypso, Mares R2, Sherwood Brut, Oceanic SP4 and a few others.) This simple design is usually inexpensive, nearly bullet proof, easy to get parts for and easy and inexpensive to service. It is also easy to DIY because it requires only a few o-rings and a seat. Yes, the unbalanced design will increase the breathing effort at low tank pressure, but I view this as a good thing especially for new or inexperienced divers. See this thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/87374-scuba-pro-r190-2.html

Additionally, if/when one wants to start more advanced diving where high concentrations of oxygen will be used this type regulator can be moved to that application.

For a second stage I like an adjustable and balanced unit. This provides the ability to have the regulator tuned to minimum inhalation resistance with the option of the diver increasing the resistance it if he/she finds the need to. Having said that, a straight forward classic downstream design with a simple to replace set of o-rings and button soft seat can be highly recommended as it is a tried and true design, parts are usually available and almost anyone can service them.

It is a good idea to have the same manufactures 1st and 2nd stage to make getting service less complicated.

For more demanding diving and high end/higher performance (higher price) regulators see the following link for DA's excellent advice.
<http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/181745-advice-regulators.html>

Now, if you have read through my entire boring post or have done the sensible thing and just skipped down to this part, the best advice would be to contact someone who rebuilds regulators like DA Aquamaster and see if he has a rebuilt ready to sell.

Good luck,

Couv

 

[martzak]

If you really want the best reg. per dollar, check this one out:

Oceanic Alpha/CDX5 Regulator

Until a few months ago you could have picked this one up for under $150 at scubatoys.com or leisurepro.com, among other places, but now it's the only place on the internet I could find that carries it at a reasonable price.

I've been using the oceanic cdx5 for the past two years in waters ranging from 37F to 80F, down to 175ft. It does exactly what it's supposed to--delivers air reliably; and it won't break your wallet.
This model has been discontinued, whoop-tee-doo, it just means it's not the 'latest and greatest' in a line of hyped-up, overpriced regulators. Oceanic will continue to make service kits for this regulator long after I decide to switch to another reg.
Save your money for your scuba trips...just my two cents.
Good luck.

 

[OceansBlue]

Oceanic Alpha/CDX5 Regulator

That is a good reliable entry level combination if you can find that setup. I know that the Alpha 8's are now being pared up with the PX-3 first stage as their entry level reg. Oceanic is now using the CDX5 first stage with the new NEO second stage. I don't know anything about the new NEO second stage, but the CDX5 first stage is a solid performer.

 

[eslonblue]

thanks for the replies.. all comments are noted.

alright ill check on our local dive shop if there are oceanic alpha/CDX5 regs.

 

[martzak]

If your local dive shop does not carry the CDX5/Alpha combo, as long as they can service it, you can order it from the link I posted above (Dolphin Scuba Center in Sacramento, CA) for ~$170. They ship worldwide.

 

[eslonblue]

I droped by one dive shop yesterday and they dont carry ocanic alpha/cdx5 regs.. what they have is oceanic alpha8 and the price is quite high.. haven't check on the other shops.