There is a definite advantage to obtaining and owning your own scuba diving equipment. The primary benefit with regulators is the piece of mind you get when you know the background with the regulator, at the same time as the assistance history. Modern regulators have been refined for the point where they are ultra reliable, IF the service recommendations with the manufacturer have been followed. Regulators are usually the initial major investment for most scuba divers, and will likely be a one time purchase for most sport divers. For those divers that go down the tech, wreck, cave and professional scuba diver paths, they will probably want to upgrade numerous times during their careers. The secret is keeping you gear in good repair, with all with the support records, and you should be able to retain 60% or far more on the value, if you decide to upgrade. If you’re purchasing new gear from the same shop that you bought from originally, and had it serviced according to the manufactures recommendations, you might get an even far better exchange, as they will likely be confident that the gear is in very good nick too
Regulators 1st stages Balanced & Unbalanced
1st stages come in two different types, balanced and unbalanced, or piston regulators. For most sport divers, an unbalanced or piston regulator will suffice. I did theŁst 150 dives on an unbalanced piston regulator that I still own. The regulator is very reliable, and the performance is adequate for the task, as long as you don’t go below the recreational scuba diving limits, which for most certifying agencies is in the 40 meter range. When you’re doing deep dives, then you will want to have a balanced regulator, as they compensate for the increased depth, and are much easier to breathe in all depths than a piston regulator. For the technical divers, they have their gear oxygen cleaned, so that they can use nitrox and other gases. If you’re going to be diving in cold water, you run the risk of icing up the regulator, so they have special types of regulators that compensate for the icing, and if the person is ice diving, they’ll generally have a special set up with multiple regulators, and on off valves, to turn off and on the tanks with multiple regulators that offer numerous configurations to make the system redundant. Most times they’ll also have a pony bottle with a regulator, or a Spare Air, which is essentially a small tank with its own regulator built into the bottle. The advantage here is that they are totally independent from the principal system. For cave and wreck penetration divers, you will also see very long hoses for when they literally get into tight spots, or need to swim long distances with a buddy in a low air situation.
Most times when people are referring to their “regs” or their “octos” they mean the 1st stage, primary 2nd stage, alternate 2nd stage, and generally the gauge information package, which commonly has a submersible pressure gauge / air gauge and a depth gauge, and the low pressure inflator hose, and a 2nd inflator hose, if you’re diving with dry suits. When you might be shopping for regulators having all these parts is alittle confusing, some dive centers realizing this will sell you a package that includes everything together, this is allot of times a far better way to go, as they will buy in bulk the pieces that will make a fine set, and you get the benefit of their knowledge of what does the job, and get a very good price at the same time. Many people will buy individually, whichcan be agood way to do it should you do allot of research,maybe you don’t have the money to buy all at the same time, and wantto buy it over time, or maybe you wish to save even much more money and buy some used components, like the submersible pressure gauge,depth gauge or alternate 2nd stage.
For most beginners, the balanced regulator that I recommend would be either the Mares R2, or the Scuba Pro MK 2, both take allot of wear and tear, and are very easy and inexpensive to stay up with the servicing. You can also get them serviced in most parts with the world, a very important consideration for all dive gear. For balanced regulators, I recommend the Mares M—, for a budget diver, a very great breather, and inexpensive to assistance, and you can work it hard and it keeps on delivering the air. In case you set the MR12 up with a Mares Proton Metal 2nd stage, you will havedecent cold water capability too. If you’re looking at the regulators that are more up market, I really recommend that you go to Rodales.com, they are the consumer reports for scuba diving, and their recommendations are based on 2 different components, testers choice, or best buy, which lets you compare and analyze allot of different companies offerings on one website. Talk to your instructors and dive buddies at the same time; take your time and do a little home work, and you is going to be much happier with your decision for the long run.
I personally use a Mares MR 22, with an Abyss 2nd stage, with a Mares Proton alternate regulator. I have a 3 gauge Oceanic consol, with compass, submersible pressure gauge, and depth gauge as backup to my wrist computer which can be a Suunto D9 air integrated computer.For my software I use Mares Volo Race fins with an X Vision knockoff.
