Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
Hi! My husband and I are new to scuba diving and we are looking to buy a good cold water regulator. We will be diving predominately in the pacific northwest. Any suggestions? We are currently looking at SCUBAPRO MK25 EVO/G260 and Aqualung Core Supreme. Any info would be awesome! Thanks!
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. ~Eleanor Roosevelt
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
there are many choices for regs ... balanced Vs Unbalanced ... And price ....or used ?
I dive Us Diver Regs ... SE 2 , and Conshelf ... bullet proof , easy to find used , cheap to rebuild...
It all depends on who you talk to , and what type of people you dive with ?
technical divers like tech regs .... others Like Rges that are widely used amongst friends....
I dive Us Diver Regs ... SE 2 , and Conshelf ... bullet proof , easy to find used , cheap to rebuild...
It all depends on who you talk to , and what type of people you dive with ?
technical divers like tech regs .... others Like Rges that are widely used amongst friends....
NWDC Rule #2 Pictures Or it didn't Happen
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
Both of the regs you mentioned are great choices. I actually dive MK25's for my doubles and the AL Legend as my single tank set-up. IMHO the Legend breathes slightly better but the difference is minor. If you have any tech diving aspirations the MK25's are your best bet because of the swivel turret. Since the Legend is a block manifold the hose routing on doubles would be a bit clugey.
There are a ton of great choices out there and really cant go wrong with any of them. As far as manufacturers go I like ScubaPro, AquaLung, Atomics and Apeks but I'm sure others are fine also. If you buy a good set of regs they should last for years - the Conshelfs that Doc mentioned above have been out of production for around 20 years and his are still going strong.
A bit of advise - dont get hung up on the bells and whistles that the manufacturers put on their regs. Things such as ACD, "over balanced", "Titanium" (definitely shy away from Ti, it's flammable when combined with high concentrations of O2) etc. A good base model is all that you'll need.
There are a ton of great choices out there and really cant go wrong with any of them. As far as manufacturers go I like ScubaPro, AquaLung, Atomics and Apeks but I'm sure others are fine also. If you buy a good set of regs they should last for years - the Conshelfs that Doc mentioned above have been out of production for around 20 years and his are still going strong.
A bit of advise - dont get hung up on the bells and whistles that the manufacturers put on their regs. Things such as ACD, "over balanced", "Titanium" (definitely shy away from Ti, it's flammable when combined with high concentrations of O2) etc. A good base model is all that you'll need.
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
+1 to the Scubapro MK25 combo (or Halcyon equivalent - similar same) I have them on all my OC kit and Apeks on CCR.
I've been using Scubapro (or equivalent) since early 90's and I've personally never had a dive cancel due to a first or second stage issue. They are pretty bomb-proof.
I have seen first stage pressure creep in more than a few Apeks but that could have just been because the regs were not serviced with any regularity, and the Mfg may have solved the problem since then, but I'm not a repair tech or retailer so I don't know about recent improvements/advances.
These days regs are all pretty darn good, it becomes more of a regulator popularity contest I wouldn't get hung up on the cold water thing either unless you have specific ice diving plans, and even then most modern regs do just fine.
I've been using Scubapro (or equivalent) since early 90's and I've personally never had a dive cancel due to a first or second stage issue. They are pretty bomb-proof.
I have seen first stage pressure creep in more than a few Apeks but that could have just been because the regs were not serviced with any regularity, and the Mfg may have solved the problem since then, but I'm not a repair tech or retailer so I don't know about recent improvements/advances.
These days regs are all pretty darn good, it becomes more of a regulator popularity contest I wouldn't get hung up on the cold water thing either unless you have specific ice diving plans, and even then most modern regs do just fine.
----
"I survived the Brittandrea Dorikulla, where's my T-shirt!"
"I survived the Brittandrea Dorikulla, where's my T-shirt!"
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
I've had issues with apeks:
1) Two 1st stage blow outs, fortunately above water but missed CCR dives both times
2) Repairs and spares can be pricey
The ScubaPro MK25's I've used have always been solid and service more reasonable and easy to source.
1) Two 1st stage blow outs, fortunately above water but missed CCR dives both times
2) Repairs and spares can be pricey
The ScubaPro MK25's I've used have always been solid and service more reasonable and easy to source.
Dave
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
My oasis-ce (Sherwood) was flawless in 30 degree water. This is my primary reg and I use it in 50 - 80 degree water most of the time.
IMO, Service the reg annually no matter what you get or how much you use it.......
Don
IMO, Service the reg annually no matter what you get or how much you use it.......
Don
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
BillZ wrote:Both of the regs you mentioned are great choices. I actually dive MK25's for my doubles and the AL Legend as my single tank set-up. IMHO the Legend breathes slightly better but the difference is minor. If you have any tech diving aspirations the MK25's are your best bet because of the swivel turret. Since the Legend is a block manifold the hose routing on doubles would be a bit clugey.
There are a ton of great choices out there and really cant go wrong with any of them. As far as manufacturers go I like ScubaPro, AquaLung, Atomics and Apeks but I'm sure others are fine also. If you buy a good set of regs they should last for years - the Conshelfs that Doc mentioned above have been out of production for around 20 years and his are still going strong.
A bit of advise - dont get hung up on the bells and whistles that the manufacturers put on their regs. Things such as ACD, "over balanced", "Titanium" (definitely shy away from Ti, it's flammable when combined with high concentrations of O2) etc. A good base model is all that you'll need.
Yes ... I have a Reg Problem..
NWDC Rule #2 Pictures Or it didn't Happen
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
HOG D1 Classics have worked well for me and my wife for several years. We have dove in water from 30-83*.
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
I am also on the HOG D1 Classics, Easy to rebuild (after training), and solid regs. I think I have like 5 of them and use them for all kinds of things, deco, doubles, monkey diving, blah blah
**Pinch it, don't stick your finger through. You're just pinching a bigger hole.
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
Mk25 or Mk17; both are excellent in cold water. Ideally paired with a G250(v) / G260, though I also like my A700.
The HOG Classic 1st and 2nd stages work well enough, but my HOG 2nds tend to corrode more readily than my ScubaPro regs. When that happens it's cheaper to buy a new one rather than replace the barrel and seat of the old one.
The HOG Classic 1st and 2nd stages work well enough, but my HOG 2nds tend to corrode more readily than my ScubaPro regs. When that happens it's cheaper to buy a new one rather than replace the barrel and seat of the old one.
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
Well I hate to buck the trend, but.... I love my Apeks. Had them for 13 years, serviced them fairly faithfully, um... Kinda, and I have had zero issue with them. They have over 500 dives on them, and will possibly see that many more. They breathe great, work well in cold water.
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
I know the Apeks are great just don't own any so can't reference
**Pinch it, don't stick your finger through. You're just pinching a bigger hole.
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
There really are a ton of great regulators out there.
Perhaps a better question would be, "What regs would you stay away from, and why?"
Perhaps a better question would be, "What regs would you stay away from, and why?"
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
OK I gotta muddy things up a bit more, I love my Atomic's, if I had to do it over, ScubaPro or a Hog set.
Pop tarts and gravy,
It's what's for breakfast.
It's what's for breakfast.
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
1) OMS (although not currently made), Mares, and Poseiden due to lack of parts and service oppsTom Nic wrote:
Perhaps a better question would be, "What regs would you stay away from, and why?"
2) Sherwoods due to the annoying "dry piston" which bubbles as part of the design
3) Unless used on an argon or stage bottle, any piston reg without a swivel (hoses end up sticking out every which way)
Sounder wrote:Under normal circumstances, I would never tell another man how to shave his balls... but this device should not be kept secret.
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
Perfect!CaptnJack wrote:1) OMS (although not currently made), Mares, and Poseiden due to lack of parts and service oppsTom Nic wrote:
Perhaps a better question would be, "What regs would you stay away from, and why?"
2) Sherwoods due to the annoying "dry piston" which bubbles as part of the design
3) Unless used on an argon or stage bottle, any piston reg without a swivel (hoses end up sticking out every which way)
This is actually very helpful, actually for me more helpful than "I love my xxxxx regs!"
That said, I'll throw my Oceanic regs into the mix which have been wonderful for the last 10 years!
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
Re: Cold Water Regulator Suggestions?
I love Tom Nic's regs
**Pinch it, don't stick your finger through. You're just pinching a bigger hole.
CAPTNJACK - 2012**
CAPTNJACK - 2012**