It can be locked in place, or allowed to move freely, depending on whether you are diving a single cyliner, a twinset or sidemount. The reason the octopus is yellow is to ensure the primary regulator is being used most of the time. An adjustment Venturi switch allows the regulator to be set at pre-dive or dive settings. My mentors' aqualung is almost 12 years old and still going strong. Zeagle have long been producing top-quality BCDs and wings, and now they are well-established in the world of regulators after teaming up with the knowledgeable team at Atomic Aquatics. The MK25 EVO D420 is one of the latest scuba regulator models by ScubaPro. The compact second stage looks great, and is lightweight in your mouth, so no jaw fatigue. 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. Log in or Register now! Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Cody also has a background in aerospace engineering and neuroscience but really only takes pride in being good at one thing and that is fishing! Atomic Aquatics Z2 octopus as the secondary scuba regulator. 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. As for the Octo - it's the base level leg3nd with just the venturi. Unlike most regulators, the Hollis DC7 500SE utilizes a side exhaust for exhaled gas, so your bubbles will stay well out of frame. A balanced second stage makes it easier to breathe at deep depths. While it performed well straight out of the box, we liked the ability to tweak the breathe to our liking the venturi and the cracking resistance control were both large and easy to locate and operate while wearing gloves. The Oceanic Zeo DIN regulator is an improvement to the EOS which is a popular regulator. If the LUX catches your eye, that 1st stage has a PVD coating. It also has a low noise rigid case, with a cam-lock. 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. 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. Oceanic are making inroads back into the reg market, and the Zeo is their range-topper. This regulator is preferred by wreck, cave, and cavern divers . Mares gave their regulator line-up a serious overhaul for 2019, and the Epic Adj 82X still represents a formidable unit. Copyright 2023 Rork Media Limited - ISSN 2514-2054 - The Speed Train. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Good-looking, great-performing regulator. AquaLung Legend vs. ScubaPro MK25 | ScubaBoard But, in cold climates that might not be the case. The second stage controls when the low-pressure air is released via a diaphragm opening which allows the diver to breathe. An extended thermal insolating system delays ice build-up on internal components. Just because your regulator is rated to a higher value does not mean that the entire system is rated for the high-pressure value. It has dry chambers that reduce the potential for ice build-up. The super-comfy mouthpiece, which is soft but has harder inserts in the bite, is very reminiscent of Atomic Aquatics. The second stage stands out from the crowd thanks to its chrome surround on the front, and distinctive triangular-shaped purge valve. Finally, there is a comfortable orthodontic mouthpiece with a good grip. If the regulator falls out of the divers mouth the diver should exhale to not hold their breath. While it is a very reliable second stage modern second stages have been improved on. Its rated for extreme cold and can be used safely for demanding immersions like ice diving. It provided a smooth breath in all positions, and the cracking resistance control gave a nice degree of control to the user. It is about the same price to get the dive computer integrated with the air or as a separate wrist computer. This model comes standard with high-end features like a turreted first stage and swiveling joints for easy hose routing and comfort. The mouthpiece is comfortable, and the exhaust directs exhaled bubbles past your face. The yoke connection is often the limiting factor that determines the max pressure that can be safely used while scuba diving. Personally, I find the 2nd stage ugly as hell so I use my Mares proton metal. It is made with nickel-plated brass. It features an oversized purge button, Superflex braided hose, and a chunky knob on the side for adjusting the cracking resistance of the inhalation effort. There are 2 other comparably priced regs you might look at: MK25/G250V, and the Apeks XTX100. In the video below my friends and I are scuba diving at Looe key in the Florida keys at night. Technical divers, cave divers, and wreck enthusiasts prefer this style because it is so secure. All of these brands have high-end and low-end models. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. This is one of the more-expensive regulators on test, but it has plenty of features of merit, and it has a fantastic performance to match its eye-catching good looks. Its also easy breathing at every depth and temperature. Lastly, there is a cap that helps to protect the diaphragm from ice build-up. A balanced first stage adjusted the low-pressure output to be consistent at deep depths and varying tank pressures. There are best practices but there are no laws saying how often a regulator needs to be serviced or inspected. The inline ball swivel and orthodontic mouthpiece help fit the regulator in a comfortable way. 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. For high-end regulators, I like the Aqualung Legend which I own, and the Atomic Aquatics T3 Regulator which is probably the best regulator on the market today if the cost is not a factor. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Despite the SPX first stage not being environmentally protected, it didnt falter in the cold even with robust testing. It is available both as a yoke and DIN configuration of the first stage. aqualung legend vs LX vs legend supreme. | ScubaBoard There are also low-pressure steel tanks that are rated between 2,400 and 2,640 psi. Piston first stages offer a higher flow rate and are easier breathing than their counterparts. Other pro-friendly features include a self-warming second stage (to prevent freezing and keep your lips comfortable) and oversized knobs that are easy to operate while wearing gloves. DIN to Yoke Scuba Regulator Adapter by Promate, Plug Adapter for a DIN Scuba Tank to Yoke Regulator. This massively improves the cold water/freezing resistance without compromising its breathing performance. Did early Aqualung Legends have fixed (built-in) crowns in the first stage? The second stage stands out from the crowd thanks to its chrome surround on the front, and distinctive triangular-shaped purge valve. For non-technical diving, many people use a wrist computer with the standard analog air gauge. The regulator has a three year 300 dive service interval. DIN regulators are the better regulators for two technical reasons. 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. The 52X also has an NCC (Natural Convection Channel), which increases cold-water performance by creating a flow of water across the regulator. The Aqualung Legend Supreme comes in at $1150, including the second stage and octopus. A turreted (vertical tower shaped) first stage offers many advantages over a traditional horizontal valve, especially when diving in cold water. The G250 was one of the most copied and reliable second stages built. When it comes to SCUBA regulators, the Atomic Aquatics T3 is the top of the line. Its got all the perks you expect from a midrange regulator, but its outfitted for the cold. The regulator mouthpiece is placed in the mouth and the diver breathes in and out like normal. The all-metal second stage has a unique pivoting purge valve, lightweight braided Superflex hose, and a neat twist control to boost the flow rate from natural breathing to power breathing, all of which was seen on the Fusion reg. The difference between piston and diaphragm regulators is the mechanism by which your air is delivered. Scubapro MK25 Evo A700 Carbon Black Tech. DIN valves can have a working pressure up to 300 bar, hence why they are favoured by technical divers. It is an environmentally sealed overbalanced diaphragm design, with a heat exchanger wrapped around the HP valve, so perfect for cold-water diving. For the diver that wants a little more performance than the AC2, the MC9 is a great option. If it is rental equipment the mouthpiece can also be sanitized with mild disinfectants. The balanced first stage allows for consistent breathing effort regardless of water depth or tank pressure. Many advanced divers want to use DIN scuba regulators and DIN valve scuba tanks when possible. A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world. Each "breath" of the machine moves a specified amount of air, called the tidal volume, through the reg. 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. DIN regulators also have the 0-ring that makes the regulator tank seal within the regulator. However, the Epic also has a cracking resistance control knob for further fine-tuning of the breathe. If you do purchase a DIN regulator I would get the yoke adapter and use this when diving with dive shops in the USA. There is also a knob that allows the diver to change the breathing effort. It's got all the perks you expect from a midrange regulator, but it's outfitted for the cold. Each review is genuinely what our tester felt the product was like when it was dived. So, it cant hurt to be over-prepared. The xDeep regs provided a smooth breathe, and the controls were simple to find and use. Keep in mind that a regulator rated for extreme cold will perform just as well in tropical climates. The Onyx II blends an environmentally sealed balanced diaphragm brass first stage equipped with two high-pressure ports and five low-pressure ports with a thermoplastic second stage via a flexible braided hose. Well worth checking out as an entry-level reg. Features of the second stage and octopus include a mesh grid to reduce the impact of water on the diaphragm, vortex assisted design for easy consistent breathing, and dynamic flow control to help maintain pressure during inhalation. Having a pressure gauge is a must-have when using a wrist dive computer even if it transmits tank pressure. There is a flow adjustment valve but it is not a balanced second stage. It is common for the octopus to have a long 36-inch hose which is helpful when sharing air with a buddy. This regulator has absolutely everything you need and nothing you dont, with very few moving parts and pieces. A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world. 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). It does come nitrox ready up to 40 percent. It is very common after a few dives to have a bad o-ring that leaks on a yoke valve scuba tank. Captain Cody has worked on charter fishing boats in the Florida Keys, Virgin Islands, and Alaska. The C370 second stage body is made from fibreglass reinforced nylon and now features a balanced valve and new exhaust tee. Comparing those three second stages on the "surface" the G260 breathes the easiest, then the D420/620ti seem tied. When using a wrist computer even if it transmits pressure should have an SPG that is directly connected to the regulator. In the secondary regulator, there are large ribs that act as a heat exchanger to protect internal mechanisms. The only difference between this regulator and the yoke regulator above is how it is connected to the scuba tank. Cody strives to provide detailed information about the best fishing gear and tactics to help both novice and experienced anglers have a more productive and enjoyable time on the water. The second stage always has a purge valve to blow air in the event the regulator needs to be placed back into a divers mouth underwater. Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. This extra layer insulates your regulators internal moving parts, preventing freezing. It retains its good looks, though when SubGear was still in existence, the earlier incarnation of this was their regulator for the next price bracket up. The XL4+ is a nice-looking regulator, especially with that white finish, and its subtle styling is matched by a stunning performance. It is required to have a secondary regulator when scuba diving. The yoke valve is easily recognisable as it utilises a clamp set-up to hold the first stage onto the pillar valve. Its first stage is a balanced piston design. I just replaced my glacier with an LX and love it! The tank also needs to have a proper hydrostatic test date which is typically every two to five years depending on the type of tank. 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). Wireless air integrated dive computers use a transmitter attached to your first stage that relays tank pressure to a wrist-mounted screen. In fact, the Mk25 EVO has passed CE EN250 coldwater certification, so it has been successfully tested in fresh water of 4C at a depth of 50m, where it has been subjected to a moderately hard breathing-rate of 375 litres per minute for five minutes, during which it must not freeflow. The male thread on the DIN valve screws into the tank valve, so that the o-ring is solidly in place. Yoke valves are more common but only work with tanks filled to less than 3000 PSI. The F8 has an environmentally sealed balanced diaphragm first stage made from durable brass, and featuring a precision-machined neoflon seat. This is because the connection of the yoke regulator is the weak point. Best Cold Water Regulators of 2022 - The Adventure Junkies In the secondary regulator, there are large ribs that act as a heat exchanger to protect internal mechanisms. Aqua Lung has been making diving equipment for more than 75 years, and their regulators have always been solid units, but they have really come on in recent years the Core Supreme is a belting little unit for this price point. It is slightly more difficult to inhale and exhale but when diving this is not even a conscious thought. Yoke scuba tanks can dive with a DIN regulator with a yoke adapter for the DIN tank. Scuba tanks need to be visually inspected every year and have a properly dated VIP sticker to be filled. The C370 second stage body is made from fibreglass reinforced nylon and now features a balanced valve and new exhaust tee. In the video below I am scuba diving a wreck in the Florida keys with some friends and encounter a large great white shark. There is a conical filter on the first stage which helps prevent any large particles in the scuba tank from entering the first and second stages of the regulator. The innovative second stage has a cracking resistance control as per the norm, but the venturi control is located around the braided hose, and resembles a motorcycle throttle. It has an average breathing effort is .6 J/l. Diving in cold water requires sturdy, rugged equipment, and some regulators are tougher than others. The D420 is suppose to excel once underwater so as soon as the ice melts I will give it a whirl. It also typically has two Venturi settings for pro-dive and driving conditions. The simulator pressurizes the chamber to simulate depths of 132 feet of seawater, 165 fsw and 198 fsw. The regulator had two high-pressure ports and four low-pressure ports. . Always check the owners manual for the maintenance schedule of the regulator. Having a compressor that fills a higher value requires a more complex system and the risks that lower pressure tanks will accidentally be filled to a higher value. The tried-and-tested MK25, now in its improved EVO guise, is compact, durable and efficient, and its works well with the relatively compact and robust D420 second stage. It has to be said, that odd-looking second stage takes some getting used to, but there is no doubt that it provides a very smooth, easy breathe in all orientations. The yellow color also helps the dive buddy know which regulator they should use in the event of an air issue or low air situation. We do this at 2 liters/20 breaths per minute, 2.5 L/25 bpm and 3 L/25 bpm. 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 change in flow can serve as a good reminder to check your pressure gauge and can prevent out of air emergencies while diving in warm water. It also comes in a subtle gun-metal grey colour rather than the bright white of the MTX-R. All of the Test Team were complimentary about the construction and looks of both the first and second stages of the MTX-RC. You may be wearing thick gloves during your dives, so youll want to choose a regulator with easy-to-use switches and levers made from thick durable plastic. This is one piece of gear that you want to own and not rent from a scuba shop, especially when diving internationally. The Dual Adj is made from an ultralight technopolymer, which is abrasion resistant but extremely lightweight, making it ideal for cold-water use, but also for travel. This gauge connects to a high-pressure port on the primary regulator. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions. This is the number one rule of scuba diving to never hold your breath. CRACKING RESISTANCE:Yes |VENTURI:No|VERDICT:The renowned MK25 in its latest EVO guise is a fine first stage, and with the XTIS thermal insulating system, it is great in cold water. Where it all goes xDeep is the design of the body. The ScubaPro MK25 A700 EVO carbon black tech is a top-quality durable scuba regulator. When it comes to cold water regulators, the ScubaPro MK25 EVO/A700 is the best of the best. The first stage is an over-balanced diaphragm design. The mouthpiece is also very comfortable. The reason many people do not use DIN regulators and steel tanks is that some scuba shops will only fill the tanks to 3,000 psi anyway defeating the purpose of having a setup that can hold higher pressure. Dive shops at the destination may not have DIN valve scuba tanks available for rental. Because youll likely be using thick gloves, its essential to choose a regulator with a knob large enough to grasp and adjust easily. There is a location on the regulator for RFID chips to help keep an inventory of rental gear at dive shops. This regulators first-stage has the auto closer device and a pneumatically balanced diaphragm for consistent breathing at different depths and tank pressures. The only reason it is number three is that it is more expensive than the regulators above. Wrist computers are becoming more and more popular. All metal components have a PVD coating for added durability. It is easy to see the benefits of being part of the Huish Outdoors family. This test model came with an SPX piston first stage, with two high-pressure ports and four low-pressure ports, which are angled for optimum hose routing. It breathes super easy at any depth. 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.
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