Buying a new Regulator advice!

[rdbaker]

Hi I am looking for a new regulator - I'll be using it in the Med, South Coast UK and Red Sea - so ideally something that would be fine for both cold and warm water.

Also I am looking for one that is the lightest possible as well - any recommendations would be great!

Thanks

[TerryH]

Might as well be the first :D

Apeks DS4 + ATX40 = £125 at Divelife.
Apeks DS4 + ATX40 + ATX Occi + twin console = £235

Make sure you go Din.
Apeks A-Clamps have a habit of not fitting on Red Sea alli cylinders.

[Matt-75]

I'll second TerryH's choice for the ATX40, i have a set and they are brilliant regs. Ive used them in the UK and in Malta. Never failed yet.

I also like the Cressi Ellipse. I have one that i use as my bailout reg. They are lightweight and generally a pretty good breathe. But maybe not as hardy as the ATX40's.

And finally i have an Aqualung LX that gets used once in a while when i use my indy twins. Similar to the ATX40's in build quality (made by the same company), often seen in clubs. While i was at Sheff Hallam they used Titan LX Regs, and a shop club i was in used these as well.

I'd say to go with the ATX40's though as the price is definitely right, and you cant go far wrong with Apeks regs.

[NickBCotswold]

To: rdbaker

I'd just advise going down to your local club and speaking as many divers as poss - even asking to try some in the pool too!

VERY good mates will even lend you their regs in open water for the day!

I'd steer clear of buying from online internet auction websites - would only buy brand new - the exception of this rule for me is that i'd buy second hand IF i knew the diver inside out and trusted him!

I'd also stick to the main brands - Apex seem to be very popular on here, but all i can say is that I've never had a free flow with my Mares, when on the same dive in January at Cromhall both my DO and TO had free flows with theirs!!!! (cue "smugness internet smiley thingy!") - What i would say tho is the mares regs are more expensive to service and they take longer due to spares kits having to be ordered and delivered from Italy. That said I wouldnt swap mine for any other!

Nick

[DarrenA]

Apeks here too. I would go XTX40 (if I am right in remembering the XTX can be configured for right or left hand - just cos that makes it more flexible for future use).

I have a house full of them.

Apeks do a "flight" model which is very light and designed for travel but I havent personally used or seen one.

http://www.apeks.co.uk/products/product_cats_results.asp?Lan=ENG&Product=Flight&Category=Regulators

Edit: Flight model isnt cold water rated (I just read the link I posted). So summer UK should be fine but < 10C its not recommended.

[bythesea]

Another vote for Apeks, this is a cracking deal

http://www.scubadivingstore.co.uk/atx40-twin-console-p-190.html

[Hickdive]

I'd steer clear of buying from online internet auction websites - would only buy brand new - the exception of this rule for me is that i'd buy second hand IF i knew the diver inside out and trusted him!



I concur with this, unless you know the seller and the history of the reg it would be foolhardy to dive with it until it had been serviced.

Once you factor in postage from the seller to you, the cost of servicing, the cost of getting the reg to and from the service centre, the inconvenience of having bought a reg but then being unable to use it whilst it's being serviced and the lack of comeback against the seller if there is a problem then it really isn't worth the effort and any 'saving' might be illusory.

Don't forget too that some divers will buy a new reg, use it until it needs a service, then flog it on fleabay before buying new again.

When you look at the cost of servicing and then the cost of a new reg (e.g. http://www.divelife.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1916 ) this can make economic sense for them but might leave a buyer without the bargain they thought they might have.

[rdbaker]

Hi GUys - Thanks for your help on this I do have one more question - I've recently got a dry suit but the air connection to it doesn;t seem to be the most popular and hence I need to bring my own hose that they fix onto the Reg - Not being very technical do I need to worry about this? or will I beable to fix it to the regulator without any problems? I am assuming that all regs will have an option for a dry suit connection?...?

[SoggyBottoms]

Dunno about a cracking deal?

I recently bought two ds4, two atx40 regs, and two atx octo's for £330

Go Dive in Derby did the deal

[Hickdive]

Ooh, swapping hoses - that's technically outside of the DTP (There, I think that covers my 'Duty of Care', but who knows?)


Sorry, seriously, swapping hoses is very simple and not a problem. You just need the right size allen key to remove the low pressure port plug from the first stage and the right size spanner (or heaven forbid, an adjustable!) to tighten up the hose once you've screwed it in.

Someone in your club will be able to show you, it's literally a two minute job (or 30 minutes if you're like me and can't find the spanners or allen keys you had in your hand not two minutes ago and can't remember where you put them down)

[PeteM]

Someone in your club will be able to show you, it's literally a two minute job

But do get someone to show you, most of the fittings are brass and it is easy to over tighten

[Hickdive]

But do get someone to show you, most of the fittings are brass and it is easy to over tighten

Careful now, we're venturing outside the DTP and wouldn't want to 'teach' too much.;)

[bythesea]

Careful now, we're venturing outside the DTP and wouldn't want to 'teach' too much.;)

I use an adjustable, have I voided my insurance??!?!

[rdbaker]

Hi Guys - Thanks for your input - I really appreciate it.

ALthought still unsure what DTP means....last I heard it was Desk Top Publishing?..lol

Cheers
again

[PeteM]

Hi Guys - Thanks for your input - I really appreciate it.

ALthought still unsure what DTP means....last I heard it was Desk Top Publishing?..lol

Cheers
again

DTP - Diver Training Programme

Oh and buy a DIN fitting rather than the stone age A clamp

[SteveF]

I'd suggest looking at the Oceanic range - the Alpha 8 is an outstanding performer for the price - buy from an Oceanic dealer and you should get the Lifetime Warranty that means you only pay for labour on Annual Service.

[Ian@1904]

I am a fan of Scubapro. I have a few Mk25 first stages and some S600 second stages. Been using these for years and years. I may even get them serviced next year, possibly.