Which Regulator Sets For Doubles?

[Bigeclipse]

All,
I will eventually be buying doubles. Which regulator sets should I keep my eye out for? (I will be looking at the used market first). I know doubles will require 2 first stages and 2 second stages so I have a second question. Second question is what is the overall consensus on mixing regulator sets? For example, I currently have an aqualung legend lx supreme. Does that mean my other 1st and second stage should also be an aqualung lx supreme or can I use a different brand all together as long as it is a recommended brand for doubles? Thanks.

 

[tbone1004]

I prefer to keep my regulators matching, but that is part of a bit of OCD as well as trying to maintain ease of servicing everything. I also prefer 5 port swivel turrets, and for diving in NY in the ocean, a sealed diaphragm.
Deep6 will have their regs out shortly, Hog D1's are fairly readily available, Hog D3's are very nice, and the Dive Rite XT's are very nice. Apeks DST and Scubapro MK25 are one of the gold standards, but expensive and you can't buy parts to DIY service them, and Atomic are super nice and made in USA, but sealing them is annoying.

 

[rongoodman]

Keep in mind how they will work as far as hose routing goes, because it's not something you will have necessarily though about much in a single tank rig. The 5th port makes a big difference. I'm a Hog fan for that very reason. (OTOH, if you want to buy 1 or 2 sets of Legends to match what you already have, I have a couple of sets just sitting around. PM me.)

 

[Bigeclipse]

Keep in mind how they will work as far as hose routing goes, because it's not something you will have necessarily though about much in a single tank rig. The 5th port makes a big difference. I'm a Hog fan for that very reason. (OTOH, if you want to buy 1 or 2 sets of Legends to match what you already have, I have a couple of sets just sitting around. PM me.)

I might be interested in the legends. Can you tell me age and last servicing?

I prefer to keep my regulators matching, but that is part of a bit of OCD as well as trying to maintain ease of servicing everything. I also prefer 5 port swivel turrets, and for diving in NY in the ocean, a sealed diaphragm.
Deep6 will have their regs out shortly, Hog D1's are fairly readily available, Hog D3's are very nice, and the Dive Rite XT's are very nice. Apeks DST and Scubapro MK25 are one of the gold standards, but expensive and you can't buy parts to DIY service them, and Atomic are super nice and made in USA, but sealing them is annoying.

I have checked out the HOGs as well but it appears the D1 are not environmentally sealed? Any info on the D2s? The D3s seem a bit pricey but hey, it is my life we are talking about. I am interested in servicing my own equipment but it seems you have to have already been Tech certified in order to gain admittance into the HOG regulator servicing classes.

 

[rongoodman]

Check you messages.

 

[Lorenzoid]

I asked a similar question a couple of months ago. In my situation, I said I liked my HOG regs that I had been using for single-tank diving, and I asked whether there was any reason not to stick with HOG for doubles. The consensus was no reason not to stick with them, so I bought a doubles set.

The D1 does have a "cold water" seal option.

If you're interested in HOG, send a PM to Jim Lapenta. He can set you up.

 

[Lorenzoid]

double post

 

[divad]

double post

Is that a joke or a pun?

 

[PfcAJ]

same 1st stages, balanced adjustable primary, unbalanced backup.

used SP regs are super easy to find at insane prices on ebay.

 

[2airishuman]

I have checked out the HOGs as well but it appears the D1 are not environmentally sealed?

They are available either way, and the environmental seal can be added after purchase. I believe the seal kit lists for about $30.

Some of the early D1s came without a bottom port, which you might encounter on the used market. Like the environmental seal, the bottom port can be added later.

Any info on the D2s?

They lack a turret and a bottom port. The absence of a bottom port complicates hose routing, particularly for the right post.

The D3s seem a bit pricey but hey, it is my life we are talking about.

The only functional difference between the D1 and the D3 is that the shape and size of the turret on the D3 allows the turret to turn a full revolution without the hoses contacting the DIN handwheel.

I am interested in servicing my own equipment but it seems you have to have already been Tech certified in order to gain admittance into the HOG regulator servicing classes.

People learn in different ways. If classes are your thing, you can probably find a way to take one. Prerequisites are at the instructors' discretion. Some will accept introductory tech or some introductory nitrox classes.

I don't know your background and don't necessarily recommend that you should or should not service your own regulators. I myself find regulators to be mechanically simple devices that are straightforward to understand and easy to service with minimal tools, but I have mechanical experience in related areas. I would be bored in a class, and am not trying to get anything oxygen clean.