Thanks to you all for the great info on regs here in this forum. I have decided to buy an Aqualung reg and am deciding between the Titan, Titan LX, and Legend. I am a recreational diver and will stay above 130ft mostly in warm water but could dive in non winter months in Lake Michigan.
From your experience would there be real difference between a Titan (non-balanced 2nd), a Titan LX (balanced), and a Legend under my diving needs? I am tempted to spring for the Legend with a balanced 2nd but don't want to run it past this forum. The marketing is getting to me. :-)
StSomewhere
July 26th, 2005, 03:31 PM
I've dived with the Titan and the Titan LX. The Titan LX is a *much* better breathing reg than the Titan, and for not a lot more money. So that's the minimum level to start with, IMO.
As you probably know, the Titan LX Supreme has an environmentally sealed first stage (it comes with a normal mouthpiece btw). The Legend also has an environmentally sealed first stage, but you have to get to the Legend LX to get the adjustable second stage.
As you can tell, its easy with AL regs to nickle and dime yourself into spending more money by incrementally moving up models to add features. Its an expensive hobby, and there are always other places to spend scuba dollars, so maybe thats something to consider.
Personally, since my AL dealer also sells Apeks I eventually went that route. :)
keyshunter
July 26th, 2005, 04:09 PM
I'm a fan of the Titan regs. I currently own 1 Titan, and 2 Titan LX. Although I have never done a head to head test, I really can't tell much difference between the breathing of a regular Titan and an LX to at least 120 feet. I do, however, keep my IP a little higher than most, and that may have something to do with it.
I consider the Titans, along with the Sherwoods, and the Scubapro mk 2's to be the "energizer bunnies" of regulators. They are tough, extremely reliable, and easy to service.
The Legend is also a great regulator--probably one of the best. But, for the dive parameters you mention, I don't think it's necessary to go there. In my opinion, any of your choices would do just fine.
rje634
July 26th, 2005, 04:35 PM
I use the Legend LX and my wife has the Titan LX, there both great regs and you can't go wrong with either one.
I have notice that the Legend breathes a little easier at depth due to the overbalanced diaphragm. The Legend has a venturi adjustment as well as an inhalation adjustment, the Titan LX only has the venturi.
The question is are you willing to splurge.
If you do go with the Legend it is advisable to get the over balanced octo as well..
Al Mialkovsky
July 26th, 2005, 04:39 PM
Don't cut yourself short. Get the Legend LX.
Epinephelus
July 26th, 2005, 04:43 PM
All the Titans & Legends breathe great. The Legend LX is marginally better than the Titan LX which is marginally better than the Titan. But unless you're mighty sensitive to tiny variances in WOB, my opinion is that the Titan is the most bang for the buck.
E.
rescuediver009
July 26th, 2005, 04:52 PM
I think that if you are a newer diver and may also want to purchase other gear, you will be more than happy with the Titan LX. I would strongly recommend a balanced second stage though and the environmental kit which is the Titan LX Supreme. It breathes very well. But depending on the cost if the Legend is not too much more expensive (Legend Supreme), you may opt for that. IT will have a performance difference but only slightly. Another point to consider, is that if you opt for the legend, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you will never have to buy another reg.
DiveMaven
July 26th, 2005, 05:16 PM
My husband used a Titan before buying his own gear, and upon the recommendation of other divers, chose the Legend instead. After using the Legend and comparing, he said for him there is no comparison as the Legend breathes SO much easier than the Titan at depth. He also remarked that the Legend was drier than the Titans he's used in the past, but we don't know if that was a tuning thing or not.
Oh, both were LX's.
Spratman
July 26th, 2005, 05:30 PM
I have a Titan LX and I wanted a Supreme, but my LDS kept telling me that I didn't need it. It never gets cold enough, he said. BAH!! One of the quarries nearby that I wanted to dive requires a sealed first stage!! Plus, it's easier to maintain if you want to dive salt water. Go for the Supreme.
My $.02
Jack
I think that if you are a newer diver and may also want to purchase other gear, you will be more than happy with the Titan LX. I would strongly recommend a balanced second stage though and the environmental kit which is the Titan LX Supreme. It breathes very well. But depending on the cost if the Legend is not too much more expensive (Legend Supreme), you may opt for that. IT will have a performance difference but only slightly. Another point to consider, is that if you opt for the legend, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you will never have to buy another reg.
jmps
July 26th, 2005, 06:40 PM
Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I wish I had a LDS that allowed me to try all this before I bought. I have used the Titan and it is OK but I have only gone to 60 ft with it.
The Legend is $85 more at my LDS than the Titan LX Supreme. It sounds like it is worth it. But as someone said creaping featurism can really get expensive if the Titan itself was really good enough. I am not going to get the Legend LX though. From reading about overbalanced 1st stages it also does cost a bit more to get the balanced octo but it is needed. I guess I just needed some encouragement. I think a year from now I won't regreat this even though I need to buy a lot more equipement.
teknitroxdiver
July 26th, 2005, 07:48 PM
I'm sure another option is the last thing you wanted to hear about but....
I dive the AquaLung Micra ADJ, and like it a lot. It's quite small and yet breathes very easy. As opposed to some other regs, by using the adjustment knob and lever, a huge change is made from minimum to maximum settings. On minimum you have to really try to get it to freeflow when it's out of your mouth at depth. Depending on how your reg tech set it, it may start a slow 'trickling' freeflow at max setting. I've had mine since 2002 and have had to do no maintenance to it other than yearly servicing.
jmps
July 27th, 2005, 05:14 PM
[QUOTE=StSomewhere]I've dived with the Titan and the Titan LX. The Titan LX is a *much* better breathing reg than the Titan, and for not a lot more money. So that's the minimum level to start with, IMO.
QUOTE]
I have been doing some more searching on this and have found some very good info from DA Aquamaster about balanced 1st with unbalanced 2nds. From this info I don't understand why the Titan would be worse than the Titan LX (balanced). Is the Titan 2nd really designed that badly? Is the flow rate or other quaility that much less? Could the Titan just have been adjusted wrong?
This challenges my understanding of these issues.
StSomewhere
July 27th, 2005, 06:14 PM
I can only compare the rental Titan to the rental Titan LX to the new Titan LX (which I eventually exchanged for the Apeks).
The rental Titan was fine in the pool, and was OK at 50'. Both Titan LX's were fine in the pool and much better breathers at 50'. We're talking effortless.
See if you can't compare them for yourself.
staticcornflake
July 27th, 2005, 06:31 PM
I bought a Titan LX a few weeks ago and just took it to 100' - It takes almost no effort to breathe and delivers plenty of air. The water was dirty and ~50 degrees and everything was fine.
My friend has a Legend LX with the adjustment knob and says that once you set the knob you rarely touch it again (so why wouldn't you just get your Titan tuned at your LDS?)
It delivers more than enough air as it is and the Venturi knob stops freeflow.
Great reg for the money!
MrTsunami
August 3rd, 2005, 05:47 AM
I like my Titan LX Supreme. I have had it to 40 meters several times and it breathed well.
MrTsunami
August 3rd, 2005, 05:49 AM
The only downside it is made in France.
jbichsel
August 3rd, 2005, 08:17 AM
Thanks to everyone for the feedback. I wish I had a LDS that allowed me to try all this before I bought. I have used the Titan and it is OK but I have only gone to 60 ft with it.
The Legend is $85 more at my LDS than the Titan LX Supreme. It sounds like it is worth it. But as someone said creaping featurism can really get expensive if the Titan itself was really good enough. I am not going to get the Legend LX though. From reading about overbalanced 1st stages it also does cost a bit more to get the balanced octo but it is needed. I guess I just needed some encouragement. I think a year from now I won't regreat this even though I need to buy a lot more equipement.
Your profile doesn't give your location so I don't know if I can help, but.....
We are an authorized Aqualung/Apeks dealer and always are willing to let certified divers try regs before they buy. We have Micra, SE3, SEA4, Conshelf, Pro Diver, Titan, Titan LX, Legend, Legend LX and several Apeks models in our rental inventory.
Personally, I have two Legend LX rigs, one of which spends more time diving with other people than I do. I would recommend the LX version of either model you buy. More control, better performance.
Some advice: You mentioned the type of diving you are currently doing. Fine, but also plan on diving that you may do in the future. Don't go crazy on spending money, but also, try not to make a purchase that five years from now your saying "Darn, I wish I would have spent the extra $85 then". If and when your diving skills/styles advance, your purchase now could eliminate having to buy new, duplicate gear later. Reg being as expensive as they are (LIFE SUPPORT TENDS TO BE $$$), buying one that will meet all your needs for years to come makes most sense to me.
Hope this helps.
jmps
August 3rd, 2005, 12:20 PM
jbichsel,
Thanks for you thoughts. I am up in the Chicago area. I have updated my profile. Your shop sounds really great. I wish my LDSs had a full rental selection like yours. This is like buying a car and never driving it first.
My looking at the Legend is driven by potential future desires. I sure don't need it now and may never but what you say makes sense. If AL had another rebate like last year I would go with the Legend LX for sure. I have heard mixed input on the value of an adjustable 2nd. Thanks for your experienced take on this.
I have opened up my thoughts to the ScubaPro MK16 as well and will decide shortly.
NEWIN50
August 10th, 2005, 02:18 PM
If you are planning on diving the great lakes, I think you will be seeing cold water temps. I have seen 39deg temps on recent dives, and know a bit colder than that is the norm if you go to Superior - I hear Isle Royal and other sites there are outstanding.
I was out last weekend, and there were at least two free flows I know of in our group - but, I had no problem with my Legend LX.
It is hard to identify what is best for you - but, I think all the reg's you are considering are high qualtiy.
DrSteve
August 10th, 2005, 02:38 PM
My wife has a Legend Supreme and it is great. I use it when I dive nitrox as my reg is very old and not nitrox compatible. It breaths easy at 10 feet and 120 feet. No issues at all.
From LPro it runs about 310 (ask them to price match it to DiveInn). But there is the "life time free parts" which could save about $40-60 each service if you buy through your local LDS.
jmps
August 10th, 2005, 05:55 PM
My wife has a Legend Supreme and it is great. I use it when I dive nitrox as my reg is very old and not nitrox compatible. It breaths easy at 10 feet and 120 feet. No issues at all.
From LPro it runs about 310 (ask them to price match it to DiveInn). But there is the "life time free parts" which could save about $40-60 each service if you buy through your local LDS.
I decided I am going to get the Legend for sure. I am going to buy from a LDS and just absorb any price difference. Two nearby carry AL. I will go with the Legend Octo. I just talked with someone who just bought a Legend LX with the APS octo from one of the dive shops. I would not have known this was a no no because of the overbalanced first stage without SB. I am trying to decide if I should tell him. I don't want to rain on his parade and be taken the wrong way.
