Second, the regulator dangling could damage coral or damage the regulator. All metal components have a PVD coating for added durability. Turreted regulators are also compatible with technical and, difference between balanced and unbalanced regulators, How to Store and Maintain Your Scuba Gear, Adjustable Flow (allows you to control how much air you receive in each breath), Pre-Dive Switch (reduces flow to conserve air on the surface), Environmentally Sealed (so it has an insulating and protective exterior), Wireless Air Integration (an extra port for Bluetooth transmitters), Oversized Knobs (for use with thick gloves), Environmentally Sealed (an insulating and protective exterior), Can be Configured for Sidemount or Doubles (two back mounted tanks), Turreted First Stage (more versatile than a traditional valve), Extra Ports for Dry Suits and Accessories. Underwater photography is challenging in perfect dive conditions, so why buy a regulator that will make taking perfect pictures more difficult? Most divers that have an air integrated dive computer that is directly connected to the regulator do not additionally have a submersible pressure gauge (SPG). The first stage of the F8 is a compact but well-made unit, but we have to say that the second stage doesnt actually look as eye-catching as its cheaper sibling, the Onyx II (which scored well last month). It can also be converted from right-hand to left-hand. Decided on Apeks XL4+. Unusual, but it works extremely well. DIVER TEST: Scubapro Mk25 EVO S620Ti Review The octopus is included in the dive package. And, for this same reason, the DIN valve performs better in extreme cold. CRACKING RESISTANCE:No |VENTURI:No|VERDICT:The MK21 is a robust air-balanced piston first stage, and paired up with the C370 makes for a great reg package. To confuse you even more my wife has a Deep6 Signature series first and second and it is every bit as good as the Mk19/G260 set up for less money. The second stage stands out from the crowd thanks to its chrome surround on the front, and distinctive triangular-shaped purge valve. The Scubapro MK2 EVO/R195 is ideal for newly certified divers exploring in cold climates. Wrist computers are becoming more and more popular. The reason some scuba shops only fill to 3,000 psi is that this is the most common pressure used. Features of the first stage include a large piston, extended thermal insulation system, and a removable orifice. Unlike most regulators, the Hollis DC7 500SE utilizes a side exhaust for exhaled gas, so your bubbles will stay well out of frame. It is extremely robust with its PVD finish, and the solid first stage is perfect for all conditions. Now that you are a Scubaboard junkie, you too can collect regulators and then wonder where all your money went. This extra layer insulates your regulators internal moving parts, preventing freezing. Engineered to provide a comfortable, low-effort work of breathing in warm and cold water, the Leg3nd is ready for any environment. The venturi is a bit dinky compared with some of the others, so a bit more awkward with gloves on, but still workable. This is the number one rule of scuba diving to never hold your breath. Practically these days any regulator is good. The second stage is pneumatically balanced resulting in a low and consistent breathing effort. As with all Atomic products, the reg benefits from a limited lifetime warranty not contingent on proof of service and boasts a two-year/300 dive service interval. Scubapro has brought back the venerable D-series of regulators. Its pretty hard to improve on the G250 and as James points out even older stuff performs great. Dive shops at the destination may not have DIN valve scuba tanks available for rental. A turreted (vertical tower shaped) first stage offers many advantages over a traditional horizontal valve, especially when diving in cold water. Overall, both the MK17 and Legend Supreme offer high-quality technology at half the cost of the T3. Best Scuba Diving Regulators 2023 | Review by Captain Cody The first state is an overcompensation diaphragm design. If you are planning to take on the planets coldest underwater environments, this regulator is your best bet. DIN valves screw directly into the dive tank, to form a highly stable seal. It is compact but delivers a tremendous performance, and paired up with the Dual Adj second stage, it is a great all-round performer. It is important to occasionally use and test the secondary regulator. A durable lightweight polymer is used for the shell of the regulator and is good for warm water diving. Hi DebraSue: I have been diving with an Aqualung reg for nine years now and its performance and realibility is excellent.I am not using that model, however Aqualung products are by and large very good and this model is a balanced regulator with the 1st stage overbalance and the second state is adjusatable for balance.I don't think you will be sorry if you go with the Aqualung. An efficient heat exchanger makes it so this octopus can be used in cold water without freezing up in most conditions. As with all Oceanic products, it comes with a lifetime warranty and free parts for life, making that price even more attractive. A great little reg and dont forget that superb limited lifetime warranty. You may prefer this setup, as it is more comfortable and ergonomic for routing your hoses, especially if you are diving with a dry suit. This is because the computer can be worn like a watch and is easy to check the depth and remaining bottom time values. A flow deviator on the second stage acts to control the Venturi effect with a dive or pre-dive setting. It's got all the perks you expect from a midrange regulator, but it's outfitted for the cold. The G250 was one of the most copied and reliable second stages built. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. This valve type is easier to set up and break down and requires less maintenance, but is best left for immersions in temperatures over 75 F. Simply put, if youre diving in cold water you should use a balanced regulator. This regulator is good for cold water or warm water diving. The first stage is made with nickel-plated brass. The AC2 first stage is a simple, reliable, and robust unbalanced piston design. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. All products reviewed have been fully dived and tested. It has a balanced valve which delivers abundant airflow regardless of depth, and the pivoting purge is highly efficient. This is a unique swivel, mounted on the face of the first stage instead of the top. The XS compact second stage has an adjustment for the Venturi effect and a low noise semi-rigid case. The 200LX features a braided hose, large venturi lever, chunky cracking resistance control, and has a big purge. This is a sealed piston first stage with two high pressure and five low-pressure ports. Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. This allows for 30 degrees of motion without the hose needing to rotate. If you want to get a high-performance DIN regulator the T10 SC is a great option. Having a pressure gauge is a must-have when using a wrist dive computer even if it transmits tank pressure. It is required to have a secondary regulator when scuba diving. This regulator has an unbalanced piston first stage design which is known to be simple and reliable. Having a wrist computer is great for non-technical diving. Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions. There is also a knob that allows the diver to change the breathing effort. Aqualung Leg3nd Elite Regulator Set | Legend | Scuba Warehouse Most DIN scuba tanks can also be dived with a yoke regulator if a threaded insert is placed in the valve and the tank is filled to 3,000 psi or less. Features of the first stage include the auto closure device, anti-freeze design, auto-balanced design, low breathing effort maintained at deep depths, and soft-grip material for easy regulator removal from the scuba tank. The 150LX features a braided hose and large venturi lever, and has a big purge. It is made with marine brass and has an exterior chrome coating. In addition to these checks, the tank condition and valve conditions should be checked before each use. As with all Hollis regulators, it comes with a lifetime warranty, only requires a service every two years and you get service kits free of charge for the life of the regulator. It incorporates Mares VAD (Vortex Assisted Design), an air bypass tube that delivers air to the mouthpiece, creating a swirling vortex with a low-pressure area in the centre that keeps the diaphragm down during inhalation, for easy breathing at all depths. This regulator features a robust design packed with diver-friendly features, and it still weighs less than most models in its class. How to tell difference between Aqualung Legend vs Supreme. This regulator is rated number one because it is a low cost, durable regulator that requires little maintenance. We accept advertising from many of the brands featured, but in no way does that have an effect on the overall review we give a product. Nice large purge, comfy mouthpiece, neat first stage and awesome price point. Best Scuba Regulators 2021, Reviewed & Tested, Scott Wilson: A Visionary in Cetacean Connection & Protection, Cressi Travelight BCD : The Divers Ready Review, 6 Tips To Improve Your Blackwater Photography, Apeks DSX Review: The Ultimate Dive Computer for the Future, Otter Atlantic Drysuit Review: Cold-Water Diving Suit, Garmin inReach Mini Review: Divers Satellite Communicator, Shearwater Petrel 3 Review: Dive Computer Excellence, Solomon Islands: A Scuba Divers Dream Destination, Southern Blue-Ringed Octopus: Australias Toxic Marvel, Top 3 Shipwreck Scuba Diving Sites in Tahiti, Lip shield will not be to everyones liking, but it can be easily removed, no cracking resistance control, Subtle Styling Wont Be To Everyones Liking, Good-looking Regulator With Well-designed Venturi Lever, Well-made Regulator With Neat Control System, Good-looking Regulator With Well-designed Controls, The Zeo Fdxi Is Light Enough For Travel But Great In Cold Water Too, Perhaps a Little On The Heavy Side For Travelling, Perhaps A Little On The Heavy Side For Travelling, Small Size Will Not Be To Everyones Taste, Eye-catching Regulator (Especially The First Stage), Some People Might Be Phased By The First Stage, Large, Easy To Find And Operate Venturi And Cracking Resistance Controls. And, its rated for even the coldest of climates. There is always a primary second stage and a secondary second-stage or octopus. Who knows how old rented regulators are or when the last time they have been serviced. The large purge is easy to locate and operate even with thick gloves, and the same goes for the venturi lever. It also comes with a long 36-inch hose. CRACKING RESISTANCE:No |VENTURI:Yes |VERDICT:The Hollis DC7 / 150LX is a great package - the compact first stage has excellent cold-water performance but is still quite lightweight, and the second stage has a large purge and venturi lever, and a comfortable mouthpiece. Everything about this regulator is built quality. This is a common R-series model and the T-195 second stage is commonly used as the octopus on higher-end models as well. On the second stage, the soft co-moulded purge button is effective and easy to locate and operate even with thick neoprene gloves, the Comfo-Bite mouthpiece is still one of the best on the market in my opinion, and the co-moulded exhaust tee efficiently vents exhaled bubbles either side of your face. Once you get good at scuba diving, spearfishing can make diving more interesting. As with all Hollis regulators, it comes with a lifetime warranty, only requires a service every two years and you get service kits free-of-charge for the life of the regulator. Both reg sets have excellent breathing performance and both perform well in any water conditions. Second stages today offer something the G250 doesnt have, a micro adjust that allows the service tech to fine tune it. There is a flow adjustment valve but it is not a balanced second stage. Global Fishing Reports participants in affiliate marketing programs. Regular with a longer then normal service interval? You must log in or register to reply here. Its second stage features the comfo-bite mouthpiece and a Venturi knob to control the airflow and breathing effort. An oversized cap and heat exchanging fins improve anti-freeze properties. The Oceanic reg benefits from being in the Huish Outdoors family with Atomic Aquatics, and features the same soft-with-harder-insert mouthpiece. The Aqualung Leg3nd Elite Regulator is one of the new generation Legend has recently been upgraded with many innovative features and new appealing aesthetics. An extended thermal insolating system delays ice build-up on internal components. This regulator is preferred by wreck, cave, and cavern divers, thanks to its sturdy construction. The second stage is pneumatically balanced which helps keep the breathing effort constant throughout the dive. Once attached it changes the pressure from high pressure to low pressure that can then be used for breathing from the second stage and inflate the BCD. High-pressure ports locations allow the regulator to face up or down. Just because your regulator is rated to a higher value does not mean that the entire system is rated for the high-pressure value. This boils down to the fact that the environmentally sealed first stage will keep out contaminants and perform superbly in cold water. Oceanic are making inroads back into the reg market, and the Zeo is their range-topper. The wide exhaust tee disperses exhaled bubbles well clear of your face. So Debra Sue, what type of diving do you intend to do? So, to utilize this new technology, youll need a regulator with 2 high-pressure ports. It has two high-pressure ports and five low-pressure ports. As we noted with the 150LX last month, the super-comfy mouthpiece, which is soft but has harder inserts in the bite, is very reminiscent of Atomic Aquatics. ISO: Scubapro MK25/S600 Regulator, Deep Blue, Titanium Core - Wanted, Aqualung legend LX ACD yoke-to-din conversion from 2010, Apeks MTX-RC (0.9 J/l) vs Scubapro MK25 A700 (0.51 J/l). These are important factors when diving deep and in cold water areas. For more of our top scuba gear recommendations, check out the Best Scuba Regulators. It is made with sound-absorbing plastics and corrosion-resistant titanium. It is equipped with a factory sealed first stage, huge purge button, comfort swivel, and no less than seven low-pressure ports and two high-pressure ports. The first stage will also reduce the tanks pressure to around 140 psi for low-pressure ports that can be used at the second stage regulator, octopus, BCD inflator, and drysuit. Lets talk about that first stage. Breathing through a scuba regulator is very simple and not much different from breathing above water. Key features of the second stage include an over-molded purge cover, comfobite mouthpiece, large heat exchanger, air channel deflector, and flexible light braided hose. It has a chrome-coated brass balanced diaphragm first stage with two high-pressure ports and four low-pressure ports, which is paired with a balanced demand valve equipped with a Venturi control and a large purge button. The pivoting purge and motorcycle throttle venturi control was again well received, and the Team also liked the cracking resistance control, which although quite small compared with others here was still operable with thick gloves on. It was nice and dry in all positions, coped admirably with whatever we threw at it, and the venturi and in particular, the cracking resistance control really did make a difference to the breathe. If you find the advice usual, please consider using the buy now button, we'll earn a small commission which helps us write more content. This is one piece of gear that you want to own and not rent from a scuba shop, especially when diving internationally. A balanced first stage adjusted the low-pressure output to be consistent at deep depths and varying tank pressures. The second stage is very lightweight, and it has a purge that lurks behind a flexible mesh grid on the unit, which helps eliminate freeflow in currents. The 15X first stage has pre-oriented ports two high-pressure and four low-pressure, including one DFC port (Dynamic Flow Control), which minimises intermediate pressure drop during inhalation, thus maximising gas delivery for optimum routing, yet retains a compact, travel-friendly size and weight. Scubapro is a well-established brand that has always produced solid regulators. While it is a very reliable second stage modern second stages have been improved on. The MK21/C370 is a nice little unit, with good looks matched to a decent performance. Aqualung Legend vs Scubapro? | ScubaBoard This is a durable regulator with good airflow performance. Do not submerge the first stage of the regulator into the water for a long period because water could get past the dust cover. For this test it was paired with the proven MK25 EVO flow-through piston first stage, which is fully insulated from the environment by the XTIS (Extended Thermal Insulating System) and has numerous innovative design features to aid cold-water performance. Even if you do not like to fish getting rid of the lionfish on the reefs is beneficial to the ecosystem. Many advanced divers want to use DIN scuba regulators and DIN valve scuba tanks when possible. The second stage stands out from the crowd thanks to its chrome surround on the front, and distinctive triangular-shaped purge valve. The first stage is pretty small, which helps keep the weight down, and with its shiny chrome and polyurethane protector, it certainly looks eye-catching. This causes fewer air leaks than having the o-ring on the scuba tank valve and is considered a better design by most people. The Best Scuba Regulators of 2022 Reviewed | Scuba Diving Scuba tanks need to be visually inspected every year and have a properly dated VIP sticker to be filled. However, when diving on vacation traveling with scuba tanks is not very practical. A DIN regulator can not be used with a yoke valve scuba tank unless the regulator has an adapter. The Sherwood Blizzard is one of the best selling cold water regulators of all time, and a top pick for instructors and safety divers. This helps us to generate future content. I have 1992 US Divers Conshelf 21, still works, required minimal service over years, but also decided it was time to get a new regulator. In the water, it breathed effortlessly in any orientation, and the venturi and cracking resistance control really made a difference to the air flow, allowing us to finetune it. Gas from your SCUBA tank passes into the regulators first stage, where it forces either a piston or diaphragm open and closed with each breath. In the picture, I am diving with an aqualung legend regulator. Best Scuba Regulators 2021, Reviewed & Tested - Scuba Diver Mag Home Fishing Gear Scuba and Snorkeling 17 Best Scuba Diving Regulators 2023. ScubaPro analog pressure and depth gauge. DIN regulators that can hold more pressure will have more threads that screw into the scuba tank. The advantage of a simple unbalanced position design is there is typically less required maintenance. It is pneumatically balanced and is designed to work with the Legends first stage. A pneumatically balanced second stage has adjustments for the Venturi effect. The large purge is easy to locate and depress, and the Venturi, while fairly small, can be operated even with thick gloves. In the picture, I am diving with a Cressi XS compact regulator in the Florida Keys. As many of our readers dive in all year round in a range of temperatures, we generally test regulators in February and March, when water temperatures are at their lowest in the inland sites much to the chagrin of the Test Team members. Its also easy breathing at every depth and temperature. Wireless air integrated dive computers use a transmitter attached to your first stage that relays tank pressure to a wrist-mounted screen. The D420 is reminiscent of previous D-regs, with its unusual shape of second stage. It is well priced, and a decent performer all-round. But, in cold climates that might not be the case. Mares gave their regulator line-up a serious overhaul for 2019, and the Epic Adj 82X still represents a formidable unit.
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aqualung legend elite vs scubapro mk25