Buying Scuba Diving Gear Regulators-What You Need To Ask Before You Buy!

There is a definite advantage to buying and owning your own scuba diving equipment. The main benefit with regulators is the piece of mind you get when you know the history of the regulator, as well as the service history. Modern regulators have been refined to the point where they are ultra reliable, IF the service recommendations of the manufacturer have been followed. Regulators are usually the first major investment for most scuba divers, and will 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 several times during their careers. The secret is keeping you gear in good repair, with all of the service records, and you should be able to retain 60% or more of the value, if you decide to upgrade. If you are buying 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 better exchange, as they will be confident that the gear is in good nick as well

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 the first 150 dives on an unbalanced piston regulator that I still own. The regulator is very reliable, and the performance is adequate to 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 are 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 are 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 will usually have a special set up with multiple regulators, and on off valves, to turn off and on the tanks with multiple regulators that offer several configurations to make the system redundant. Most times they will 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 main 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 usually the gauge information package, which usually has a submersible pressure gauge / air gauge and a depth gauge, and the low pressure inflator hose, and a 2nd inflator hose, if you are diving with dry suits. When you are 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 better way to go, as they will buy in bulk the pieces that will make a good set, and you get the benefit of their knowledge of what does the job, and get a good price as well. Many people will buy individually, whichcan be agood way to do it if 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 want to save even 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 of the world, a very important consideration for all dive gear. For balanced regulators, I recommend the Mares MR12, for a budget diver, a very good breather, and inexpensive to service, and you can work it hard and it keeps on delivering the air. If you set the MR12 up with a Mares Proton Metal 2nd stage, you will havedecent cold water capability as well. If you are 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 as well; take your time and do a little home work, and you will 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 is a Suunto D9 air integrated computer.For my software I use Mares Volo Race fins with an X Vision knockoff.