Which regulator for me?

[QBit]

Hello everyone!

I am looking to buy a regulator soon. And I would like to know which regulator you think is the best for consering air?

I am pretty good on air, but I want to have more bottom time.
Thanks!

 

[Scared Silly]

A reg has little to do with conserving air. In fact, when we switched regs our air consumption went up slightly. Why? it was a better performing reg and delivered air easier. Easier to breath means you are more relaxed.

If you want more bottom time, relax. Work on your trim in the water. Improve your buoyancy, etc. Lastly get a cylinder with more air in it.

As for a reg recommendation. That is like asking what car should I buy. Do some searching in the rags and on da board and you will find lots opinions. We use Atomics but there are many other good regs.

 

[zaberman1]

The answer to your question lies with you. I recommend asking yourself:

1. What kind of dives do I do?
2. What kind of dives do I plan on doing?
3. Where do you see yourself in 1 year, 2?
4. Which regulator has the features that best fit my diving?
5. Which regulator breathes the best?

I dive with the Apex XTX 200 and have been extraordinarily impressed with how it breathes, not to many like it on the market. I also have DiveRite 2050's and have never had a problem with them...

 

[paddler3d]

You're regulator is going to have minimal if any impact on your air consumption.

Search the boards and you'll find countless posts about improving air consumption.

Provide more info in your profile about yourself and location. There can be a lot of variables that will impact which is the best for you.

 

[QBit]

Hmmm

I thought than air intake with some reg.s was lower? Do some regs have smaller openings, or parts that let you "sip" air easier?

For now, my bouyancy and calmness in the water is pretty good. I am sure that it is not perfect.

I dive mostly in southeast asia, recreation diving. I dont plan on doing any ice diving any time soon. Brrr!

Does anyone know to put more info in their profile? I can't find how to do it!
(sorry!)

 

[Tortuga68]

Click on User CP in the topmost red bar then click on Edit Your Details

 

[herman]

Your air consumption rate has nothing at all to do with your regulator and has everything to do with your body, diving style and diving skills. Calm, slow, deliberate movements while being perfectly weighted and trimmed are the major contributors of a low air consumption rate. How much air volume your regulator can deliver is irrelevant, it only delivers the amount you request when you breath in. Think of it like a car, if you drive slowly with gentle starts, not heavily loaded and on flat ground it gets better mileage that if you drive fast up a steep hill with it fully loaded..with dive gear . If you want to improve your air consumption rate, get your weighting and trim perfect, work on your fining and slow down. For whatever reason I see lots of divers zooming around underwater like it’s some kind of race, slow down and enjoy the world around you.

Choose your regulator based on available service, cost, and mainly personal preference. There are no really bad regs in today’s market and the vast majority will do a good job in warm shallow water. Any of the mid range regs from any of the major brands will do very nicely for many years. Many of the lesser known brands are quite good as well but service and parts can be a problem.

 

[Slonda828]

I am not trying to sound mean, but maybe you should read the fifteen previous threads on picking out a regulator that are in the regulator sub-forum. You will see your exact questions answered, and we won't have to type the same answers again. Thanks.

 

[zaberman1]

If you plan on doing really cold water diving, which it seems like you are, make sure you get a reg with an environmental seal on the 1st stage.

 

[QBit]

I am not trying to sound mean, but maybe you should read the fifteen previous threads on picking out a regulator that are in the regulator sub-forum. You will see your exact questions answered, and we won't have to type the same answers again. Thanks.

Ah. Ok... sorry to clutter up this forum.
Is there another forum for picking out regulators or a flagged post? I cant find it...