How to Select a Regulator
Regulator Basics
How to choose SCUBA Regulator at first glance can be a daunting task with so many to choose from, so many features and an assortment of technical terms thrown in to confuse you. Truth is with a few simple questions you can narrow the field and make the right choice. In this article we will look at the concepts involved in making your decision and review several different regulators.
First you need to understand what type of diving you will be doing. If you intend to only dive shallow reefs in clear warm water you will want a far different regulator than you will want if you intend to descend into the cold water of the Great Lakes to the limits of recreational diving. A cold water regulator is in fact an all water regulator. A warm water regulator will perform well in warmer water but may freeze up and free flow in water below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold water regulator will have some mechanism that minimized the affect of the combination of cold water and cooling effect of compressed air being released from pressure. Remember how cold your teeth got when you simulated a free flow in your open water class.
You will remember from your open water class there are two types of valves to connect to your tank a yoke valve and the threaded din valve. The din valves will operate at higher pressures but are far less common than yoke valves. Most divers will find more convenient to purchase and use a yoke valve.
First Stage regulators can be unbalanced, balanced or over balanced. The unbalanced are serviceable for short shallow dives but breathing becomes more difficult at deeper depths and as the tank empties. A balanced regulator will perform the same as pressure and depth change. An over balanced regulator becomes easier to breath as depth increases.
Buy Dive Gear on the Intenet
ScubaPro Regulators
The following is a review of our best selling ScubaPro Regulators
MK2 plus and R-series Economical Warm Water Regulator This regulator is a down stream piston first stage which is reliable and easy to maintain so it is commonly found in the rental pool of dive centers. The first stage is suited for shallow diving and warm water diving but can be more difficult to breath as depth increases and tank pressure drops. It is most often paired with a R295 down stream second stage. A good choice for a combination of warm water and low budget.
MK11/S555 Easy Breathing at All Tank Pressures This balanced diaphragm first stage is combined with a an air balanced second stage to provide a low maintenance regulator which will deliver smooth air delivery at all tank pressures. This combination will perform very well in warmer waters but if you look to dive in the cold northern lakes this is not your reg.
M17/S555 An Excellent Cold Water/All Water Regualtor This is ScubaPro's top diaphragm fists stage with a dry ambient chamber that offer protection from freeze related free flows in cold water. The balanced second stage delivers smooth air flow at all depths and tank pressures. This is a reg designed for the harshest environments.
MK25/S600 All Water Top of the Line Regulator This is ScubaPros's top regulator. It has a balanced piston first stage that becomes easier to breath with depth and works well with the air balanced second stage which is adjustable to adapt to all diving environments. It delivers a constant and reliable air flow. You can adjust the inhalation pressure by turning a knob on the regulator and has a dive/pre-dive switch to reduce free flows on the surface. This is a light weight, highly reliable regulator for all diving conditions.
Mares Regulators
Review of Mares SCUBA Diving Regulators
Selecting a SCUBA Regulator can be a confusing task with so many to choose from, so many features and an assortment of technical terms thrown in to confuse you. Truth is with a few simple questions you can narrow the field and make the right choice. In this article we will look at the concepts involved in making your decision and review several different regulators.
What type of diving you do you expect to do? Warm water reefs will require a different regulator than the cool waters of the Great Lakes. Cold water regulators are in reality all water regulators. A regulator that will perform well in warmer water may freeze up and free flow in water below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold water regulator will have some mechanism that prevents freeze ups due to the combination of cold water and air being released from presure. Remember how cold your teeth got when you simulated a free flow in your open water class.
There are two types of valves to connect to your tank a yoke valve and the threaded din valve. The din valves is designed to operate at higher pressures but is far less common than yoke valves. Most divers will find more convenient to purchase and use a yoke valve.
First Stage regulators can be unbalanced, balanced or over balanced. The unbalanced are serviceable for short shallow dives but breathing becomes more difficult at deeper depths and as the tank empties. A balanced regulator will perform the same as pressure and depth change. An over balanced regulator becomes easier to breath as depth increases.
Explore related pages Rebel 2 Rebel 2 is the most economical designed piston regulator and performs reliably in warm water shallow water. Its unbalanced design can make breathing more difficult at lower tank pressures and deeper depths. It is most appropriate for recreation divers not pushing the limits. It is easy to maintain and is often found in dive shops rental pool.
Rebel 12 Rebel 12 is an economical regulator for warmer water and moderate recreational use. It is reliable and light weight. This balanced diaphragm design performs well at depth and lower tank pressures. It will perform well in moderately cold water but not extreme cold or a combination of cold water and deep diving. We would not recommend for typical wreck diving the Midwest r ice diving.
Abyss Abyss 22 is a high performance balanced diaphragm reg that has been certified for Heliox and Trimix. It has a tri-material valve and great durability. It is smooth breathing and reliable at all depths and all temperatures of water. It is recommended for warm and cold water and for diving the limits of recreation diving.
Proton Ice Extreme The Proton Ice Extreme was designed by Mares with the US Navy for dives reliable performance at extreme cold. This balanced diaphragm reg is made to work in water to 29 degree (I think that is called ice unless you are in salt water under the Polar Ice Cap). It has a dry first stage and brass heat exchanger to resist freeze up and free flow. The reg features an all metal second stage, tri-material valve, and resin coated second stage case. Great for cold water and warm water diving. It is nitrox compatible to 40%.
I personally dive this regulator. I have taken to the limits of recraeional diving in 39 degree water in the Great Lakes (open water cannot get below 39 degrees). I have never had a free flow or any change in breathing.
Alternate Air Source/Octopus Octopus Rebel Economical, sturdy and reliable this alternate is good for all uses except extreme cold.
Octopus MV is a high performance alternate that can be mounded from either side. It is based on a Dacor design. This performs smoothly and reliable.
Octopus Proton is a high performance alternate designed to perform with the Proton Ice.
