WTB Regs

[ams511]

I do not know much about the older scuba pro first stages. Why are they better? Why would a Mark 5 be better than a Mk-17 or a Mk-25? Also why is this better than an AT-50?

[drew47000000]

Just got back from Ginnie this weekend, and ran into a couple Salvo Divers. In all defense of the Salvo regs, I must admit they recieved TOP KNOTCH ratings from the divers that were in the water with them. They had said they couldnt wait to purchase another set, and at $250 a set with any hose length you want, its pretty hard to turn down. Not to mention, your starting FRESH REGS WITH WARRNTY!! Lets just say Im leaning towards those at the moment, any feedback regarding that idea would be greatly appreciated!

[ams511]

Golem Gear in Tampa has Oxycheq regs for sale for $190 that look identical to the salvo ones.

http://www.golemgear.com/pc-283-18-o...lator-kit.aspx

Also Scuba toys has a ScubaMax regulation for $ 219.00 with free shipping and 10% off if you are a member of Scubaboard. Again these look identical to the Salvo ones.

http://www.divesports.com/mall/scubamax_reg_RG2008.asp

[Cave Ranger]

Both the Oxycheq and Salvo Regs look similar to the Dive Rites. Perhaps they are all made at the same factory in China. ??
One thing that I do know about my next regulator purchase is that if the company that makes them won't sell me kits and parts so that I can maintain and repair my own reg I ain't buying it. Period! I'm sick of sending my Scubapros and Poseidons in for maintenance to an "Authorized Dealer" and having them not be right. I trust myself with maintaining my own life support gear than I do some stranger.
I'm leaning towards the Dive Rites but the Salvo and Oxycheqs have peaked my interest.

Hey Mr. Sludge, You seem to know your regs . Any thoughts on this?

[hans471]

Both the Oxycheq and Salvo Regs look similar to the Dive Rites. Perhaps they are all made at the same factory in China. ??
One thing that I do know about my next regulator purchase is that if the company that makes them won't sell me kits and parts so that I can maintain and repair my own reg I ain't buying it. Period! I'm sick of sending my Scubapros and Poseidons in for maintenance to an "Authorized Dealer" and having them not be right. I trust myself with maintaining my own life support gear than I do some stranger.
I'm leaning towards the Dive Rites but the Salvo and Oxycheqs have peaked my interest.

Hey Mr. Sludge, You seem to know your regs . Any thoughts on this?

Any decent lawyer will tell you why they don't just sell the parts to anyone. Can you spell "Liability?"

Hook up with a dealer. Go to the service schools and learn how to do this stuff. Then you can get the parts you need.

Comparing high performance regulators to budget regulators is difficult. I used to sell car stereo, and when someone asked why they should spend a thousand bucks on a new system when the factory unit sounded fine to them, I said don't. If what you have sounds fine to you, you would be wasting your money.

But when someone gets used to a high fidelity system, a factory unit just won't do.

The same goes with regs. I have a friend who has a G-250 and an R-190, and it doesn't matter to him one bit what he's breathing. I, on the other hand, once put an R-190 on an O2 bottle, and after breathing for about a minute, switched back to my backgas, doubling my deco time. I'd rather breathe a good reg for ten minutes than a piece of crap for five.

As far as comparing the Mark 5 to a 17 or a 25, it's going to be a half step below the 25, but better than the 17. A piston is going to give you higher flow. The ONLY reason to use the Mark 17 is if you're diving in freezing water or sewage. The reason the Mark 5/G-250 combo I mentioned is so good is that it's the older model G-250, not the G-250HP. Apeks? Not in the ballpark.

Caveranger, if you can't find kits you aren't looking very hard. Apply yourself!

Also, I believe all of those regs mentioned are made in France, not China. And nobody's going to buy a new reg and then tell you it doesn't breathe great. I don't think they're lying, they just have never owned a high performance regulator.

If something happened to all my regulators and I had to replace them all, what would I get? Either used stuff from the 1990s from Scubapro off eBay, or if I were buying new, Atomic Aquatics. They're the only thing that compares to the Scubapros

[ams511]

Both the Oxycheq and Salvo Regs look similar to the Dive Rites. Perhaps they are all made at the same factory in China. ??
One thing that I do know about my next regulator purchase is that if the company that makes them won't sell me kits and parts so that I can maintain and repair my own reg I ain't buying it. Period! I'm sick of sending my Scubapros and Poseidons in for maintenance to an "Authorized Dealer" and having them not be right. I trust myself with maintaining my own life support gear than I do some stranger.
I'm leaning towards the Dive Rites but the Salvo and Oxycheqs have peaked my interest.

Hey Mr. Sludge, You seem to know your regs . Any thoughts on this?

You could probably call Phil at Scubatoys and ask what companies use the same design as the Scuba Max. Scubatoys is a regular dive shop and an authorized Diverite dealer. I think they are in Dallas, if memory serves me correct.

[drew47000000]

according to my local dive shop, the company making Dive Rite's regs is the same company using the same design on 3 or 4 regs!! Including Salvo and another one or two I cannot recall. That being said, who wouldnt mind a set of regs that are basically dive rite's at practically half the price. IMO those DR regs are pretty darn good quality and for $250 a pop, I think its almost a no brainer....

[Cave Ranger]

Both the Oxycheq and Salvo Regs look similar to the Dive Rites. Perhaps they are all made at the same factory in China. ??
One thing that I do know about my next regulator purchase is that if the company that makes them won't sell me kits and parts so that I can maintain and repair my own reg I ain't buying it. Period! I'm sick of sending my Scubapros and Poseidons in for maintenance to an "Authorized Dealer" and having them not be right. I trust myself with maintaining my own life support gear than I do some stranger.
I'm leaning towards the Dive Rites but the Salvo and Oxycheqs have peaked my interest.

Hey Mr. Sludge, You seem to know your regs . Any thoughts on this?

Any decent lawyer will tell you why they don't just sell the parts to anyone. Can you spell "Liability?"

Hook up with a dealer. Go to the service schools and learn how to do this stuff. Then you can get the parts you need.

I know what the stated reasons are but by claiming it's a liability issue and using that as an argument then by the same token I shouldn't be able to buy brake pads, calipers, or other auto parts either.
So as a DIYer I can work on my own car, airplane, etc. but maintaining my own regulator is some sort of liability issue?
To quote Dr. Evil "Riiight".
I think it has as much to do with controlling their market as liability concerns. Otherwise none of the reg manufacturers would sell parts and we all know that some do. Maybe they have better lawyers.
I have managed to wheel and deal myself into some spare parts but I'd really just like to be able to purchase them without going through a hassle. Yes. I consider Ebay a hassle.
It's all about personal responsibility and free markets. It's my responsibility to maintain my own equipment and do it correctly. If a dive equipment manufacturer sets restrictions on how and when they will sell their products and replacement parts then I have the choice to do business elsewhere. Why this isn't an "Anti-trust" issue though is a mystery to me.
Until then can I just mail my Mk 25's up to you Sludge? For a modest fee and a case of beer of course

[aainslie]

You know, I just have to chime in here - regs are something I feel pretty strongly about.

I own 5 Apeks ATX 200, an XTX 200, and about 6 or 7 Aqualung Titan LX's. Ive used hem on reasonably complex dives, over 300 feet deep and (in different dives) over 3 hours. I also like tinkering so I've had all in pieces

The apeks's suck. I am absolutely sick and tired of replacing the HP seat on the first stage. Many others have had this problem. So my suggestion is, avoid those! I keep $200 in tools ad another $200 n spare parts in Florida and in LA just to keep these delicate little prima donna's breathing.

OTOH, the Aqualung Titan is incredible, and highly underrated. Many scuba rentals use these rigs - they're indestructible, never need rebuilds, and hold IP and LP appropriately after hundreds - thousands - of uses. And when you do rebuild them (IF -one of mine is over 3 years old and has never been opened) they're easy to work on. I've used one at 300 feet - it breathed better than my Apeks.

Overall, I'm beginning to think that one should use relatively simple, low tech regs for tech diving. More durable, less to go wrong. The Diverite/Oxycheq/Salvo regs seem to be in that territory. But see if you can get a deal on the Aqualungs, perhaps second hand on Scubaboard or Ebay - those are seriously the Jeep Wrangler of regulators. Cheap and go anywhere.

Slightly separate note - most dealers will let you have reg rebuild kits if you just build up a decent relationship with them. I have 4 sources - none hassle me.