Reg recommendations

[f94gator]

The time is coming for me to retire my old Dacor Pacer and finally upgrade. Do any of you guys have any recommendations on a good regulator? Something dependable, not too pricey. I've been looking at the Dacor Viper America, but otherwise I haven't had to buy anything in so long I'm a bit out of touch. Any tips are appreciated.

[Steel Shootin']

I just saw an article in one of my dive magazines a couple of months ago that was titled "great regs for under $350" (I think that was the price, could have been different). Anyway, it was an interesting article. If I can find it, I'll scan it for you.

Also, Rodales came out with their review of regs about six weeks ago, and you should be able to find that at Rodales.com (if you put any stock in rodales).

Finally, if I had it to do over again I would not have spent the money I did. I bought an Apeks ATX200, and also have an Aqualung Legend. That Apeks is a great reg (used by the guy that broke the all time depth record), but, do I, or any of us, really need that for our max depths of 100-130 fsw? My Aqualung breaths every bit as good as my Apeks, and was actually rated better by rodales.

[f94gator]

Thanks for the info. I usually check the reviews just to see if there’s any real issues I should know about, but overall I value the recommendation of people who have used the product much more. In either case, unless it’s Consumer Reports, most reviews end up being more product promotion than honest assessment.

[Steel Shootin']

Here's a rodales link with for an article about 16 "budget" regulators: http://scubadiving.com/gear/budgetregs/

[dothanfrogman]

The dacor viper america and tec are the same I have 2 reg sets both are the americas. Breathe easy at any depth no probs so far.

[201proguide]

i bought an oceanic delta 3 reg, and it is kick ass. wouldnt trade it for anything else. it is priced under 350. well worth every penny i spent on it (i actually spend 250, but it was for sale)

[richhermes]

Glad to see someone else likes the Viper too.

What was your impression of the Viper when you dove with mine, Paul??

[greyface]

ScubaPro MK16, R380:D

[dlock]

Gator, I thought that I read somewhere that you can send in/trade in your old Dacor reg and they will cut you some kind of deal on a new one. Might want to ask a dive shop that sells Dacor...like Divers Supply on Hillsborough and Sheldon. It may have just been for a limited time,I don't remember.

[f94gator]

They had a special on the Dacor regs last year. I checked into it and the deal wasn't all that great. Sure, they gave you a good trade in price, but when you factor in the price they charged for the Viper, it wasn't worth it. For pure sentimental value, I couldn't justify getting rid of it for so little benefit.

Rich, I liked your Viper, only downside I saw was that there was some bubble interference. Not too bad, but definitely different than the Pace. It breathed really nice, though.

Anyway, thanks for all the recommendations, and feel free to keep 'em coming!

[gumshoe]

Leisurepro had the Viper Nitrox on "special" for (I think) $115 or so a couple weeks ago. If you call them, you could probably get that price.

[NetDoc]

a Cousteau First stage... in fact I use two!

[Stone]

Pete,

I didn't know you used Micras. You don't need it, but take a look at the Valor (Micra Clone) powerpoint presentations on my website sometime (under Dive Documents).

[swathdiver]

Retired my Pacer to back up duty now. Dive a Oceanic Delta II with Alpha 7 Octo. In my opinion the Alpha as a primary is great all the way down to 200 feet with the CDX 1st stage. I almost never use the adjustment on the 2nd stage Delta. I've sold everything and dove nearly everything at one time or another and that is my favorite reg.

[dothanfrogman]

F94 the delta 3 is what replaced that viper I was telling you about. Good setup.

[f94gator]

OK, thanks!

[MarkD]

I dive a Oceanic Delta 3 with a Alpha Octo. I am very happy with the regs. Scuba Quest has some great deals on equipment, especially during their sales. Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Reef Raider]

I dive a scuba pro mk20 ,d400 and a air II life time warranty it gets serviced some times every 6 mo. Back up is SP mk 10 G 250 spare Air II and spare computer Data max air int. Some dive shops have demo or rental stuff they sell for less but if its gear you want for like the next 10 or more yrs I would go with the Scuba Pro and the life time warranty.

[f94gator]

Thanks. Scubapro is definitely looking good right now. I've heard good things about Zeagle as well.
Tackle Shack is having their Turkey sale on the 16th and they're getting rid of all of their rental Zeagle regs and BCs, along with a few computers. The regs look in decent shape, the BCs look great, so if anyone is interested in a used Ranger, it might be worth checking out. They haven't set prices yet so I don't know what they're going for; he said 60-70% off though. I might check out the regs more closely at the time, but right now I'm a bit leery about getting one that was rented out.

[Reef Raider]

You might want to make sure it was serviced . Seems like most of that stuff is used for classes I would think but thinking has been known to get me in some deep shit. I would like to look the sale over though thanks!

[Divin' fool]

I've got 3 of the sherwood Oasis regs. They are simple and cheap to repair/maintain. Not too expensive and keep your mouth from "drying out".
I also have a ScubaPro that is a great reg.

[Divin' fool]

How much are they asking for the used Rangers? That'a nice BC.

[f94gator]

They didn't say how much they were asking - haven't set prices yet. He did tell me 60-70% off. They looked in good shape, too

[Screen Name]

I'm not a big Sherwood fan. I bought one once and the fish started avoiding me. I surmised that the steady stream of bubbles that comes out of a Sherwood first stage was the problem. I thought it was broke, but the dive store told me that feature comes with all Sherwoods, no extra charge. I dumped the Sherwood and was able to resume my stealthy behavior.......

John Out

[Reef Raider]

Screen name what are you diving now??
How many other turnys do you hunt in??
What are you shooting with these days??

After Spear One called you "TOP GUN" I'm all ears!!!!!!

[Screen Name]

How ya doin, buddy. Pleased to make your acquaintance.

Kevin's credibility may have slipped a little on that one....

Actually, Kevin has been a good friend of mine for about 15 years, we've done a lot of diving together. We even spent a couple days in the chamber over at St. Josephs together, only to find out we really had tendonitis from shooting too many fish, not the bends! He has done his best to teach me, but I'm a little thick headed, and I dont recall once getting out of the water with more fish than him. I've also been fortunate to dive with a lot of other really good shooters, for example Lou Bonsey (B&B spearshafts) the Zumwalts, Ron Wagner, Paul Jones, Tom Morris, Martin Reissen, and David Shelton from the WCC series, many others whom I admire.

This sport is just a lot of fun with a bunch of cool people involved.

Nevertheless, somehow, big groupers (and sharks) seem to be attracted to me for some reason. In addition to somehow being fortunate with big groupers, I've also done plenty of stupid things, which I may share someday.

I've done a ton of experimenting with equipment and have built my own guns at one time. I currently use a 52" Rhino with a quickload line and love it. I might try a Commercial like Kevin's sometime. I sometimes dive the WCC series, always dive the St Pete Open, I'm the MC. This year I also did the freedive state tourney, first annual Tarpon Springs tourney, and Southern Open as well, way more than the last few years. Had a great time.

See you around Reef Raider!

John Out

[Screen Name]

I have a new Dive Rite, which seems to work real well. My wife won a Scubapro MK 20 (titanium) last year, its a nice rig also. I just dont follow why you would make a regulator first stage lighter. So you can put more weight on your weight belt?

John Out

[Reef Raider]

Some one tryed to tell me some shit about flying with your gear GO figger?? But at that price who would not want it ?

[Fish_Dip]

I have owned and dove many regs. The Apeks tx100 is perhaps the best bang for the buck workhorse that was ever made. You can diassemble it underwater on a deco and keep on trucking. It breathes like a dream (once you take a new unit apart, clean it and turn it down, same as any new reg) and has hose angles perfect for a DIR configuration, if you have chosen that path.

[fishhunta]

i work at a dive shop and would never buy anything but apecks. i own a scubapro mk25/s600- its a piece of shit. i think its going on ebay soon. as far as the apecks-they all have very similar internal components, just different casings, thats what makes the price difference, so i dive a atx50, it breathes just as good as the 200, but its $200 cheaper. i swear to god, you could leave it in your closet for three years, take it out and run it over with a truck, and then dive it to 200ft without a problem. ps-do you notice a direct coorolation between who buys the most advertising space in rodales and who gets the good reviews? must be a coincedece. don't trust a magazine, ask a commercial diver or someone who works in a shop-i am both

[f94gator]

Seems like I made a good choice. I recently picked up a Apeks tx100. Haven't dove with it yet, but I've only heard great things. Thanks for all the advice guys!

[Big Guns]

The only regs I dive on are Scubapro. I think they are the most dependable. I wouldn't recommend anything else.

[f94gator]

Scubapro was my next choice. But I saw enough people recommending and using apeks to where it made the most sense to me. Plus I got a good deal on one, which allowed me to get a better model than I'd otherwise have gotten.

[Big Guns]

You're right. I believe Apeks and Scubapro are both comprable. You can find Apeks regs at a better price because Scubapro are real dicks when it comes to their retailers. In fact, they're cutting back on the number of dealers in the US as we speak. Apeks are great regs. I have the AT 50 and I've never had a prob;em and it breathes great.

[SpearDiverTampa]

I got a Viper America about 6 months ago and I love it. They are selling them pretty cheap right now on Leisurepro.

[richhermes]

Thats what I have **********. That Viper America beats the hell out of the old Pacer I used to suck on!