Good regulator for a newbie...

epikbob · May 22, 2006

I take my open water cert this coming weekend. I was thinking about showing up with my own regulator/octo so as to avoid the smokers regulator from the rental place. After some advice i think i've settled on this regulator: http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/CategoryID_1159/Context_954/Sort_Stock/DescSort_0/DCRVTR.html Its the Dacor vipet tec. I talked to a few local diveshops and they seem to want me to forget about it, and buy on of their 600$ regulators... Will the dacor to me well for a veriety of dives even deeper ones? Or am i setting myself up for a early upgrade?

Thanks for the opinions!

spacemanspiff1974 · May 22, 2006

Might want to try an online store that is an authorized dealer. I know scubatoys.com is an authorized dealer for all the products which they sell. Buying from a dealer can save $ in the long run with decreased service costs or free service parts - depending on the deal. You may also be able to deal with scubatoys on a good price for an entire package (reg+octo+console).

Sorry I cannot be more helpful on the dacor, but I haven't been diving with one.

savechief · May 22, 2006

I just got certified, I don't own my own equipment, I have had very little variety in the regulators that I've used (Aqualung Calypso and Legend), so my opinion is just that...an opinion.

If you are sold on the Dacor Viper, I'd get it from scubatoys.com. Why? It's only $10 more than Leisure Pro, and it is fully backed by the manufacturer (Scuba Toys is an authorized dealer on all their products...Leisure Pro is not).

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=ViperAmerica

However...

If I were in your shoes, and I sort of am, seeing as how I'm looking for my own equipment as well, I'd pony up another $75 or so dollars (I think there's a discount from Scuba Toys for being a member here) and buy the Zeagle Envoy.

1) I've heard nothing but good things about Zeagle, both their quality and customer service
2) Great reviews (http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/regulators/best_new_regs/0/)

For comparison to the Zeagle, the Viper is reviewed here: http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/regulators/the_mother_of_all_reg_reviews/

John

BIGSAGE136 · May 22, 2006

Zeagle, Scubapro....Scubapro, Zeagle.

I would also say contact ScuaToys, mostly because you will be having your equipment serviced annually, and you also want to take advantage of any warranties.

They are also some pretty nice folks.

BigWhiteSquare · May 22, 2006

I wouldn't feel comfortable buying any Dacor reg now. Since Mares bought Dacor, the Dacor regs are looking more and more like an endangered species.

I agree with the Zeagle recommendation. It's a superior regulator, and Zeagle has awesome customer service.

LSDeep · May 22, 2006

i am not a great friend of the viper (the 2nd stage just leaves a "flimsy" impression with me. have to say i only used it once. i would have a look at the aqualung titan / titan lx (its a good reg, about 250 on the low end) or mares, scubapro in this class.
you might want to try and consider where you think you will be going over the medium term future in diving. it might be a better idea to bite the bullet and spend a couple bucks more on a better reg, like an apeks atx100 (you can get them for about 350). aqualung / apeks has a deal at the moment that you get a fitting (means pretty good) octopus free with the purchase of a reg. check it at http://www.aqualung.com/breathe_free.html , it might be worth consideration.

LSDeep · May 22, 2006

BigWhiteSquare:
I wouldn't feel comfortable buying any Dacor reg now. Since Mares bought Dacor, the Dacor regs are looking more and more like an endangered species.

I agree with the Zeagle recommendation. It's a superior regulator, and Zeagle has awesome customer service.

i would agree with that, but it is hard to get zeagle parts in a lot of areas. so you usually are better off traveling with a complete set of overhaul kits. for mainstream use and travel i would not consider the zeagles (only for this reason).

stevenq99 · May 22, 2006

I think I would go with a scubapro mk2+ r190 from scubatoys very simple and reliable. Serviceable anywhere. I would also look at the Oceanic Alpha 8 for about the same price. Oceanic has impressed me with the support they have given people on this board.

ocrmaster · May 22, 2006

www.scubatoys.com - mk25/s600 scuba pro you wont regret it.

Happy diving my friend... if your on a budget apeks is also a good brand.

jbichsel · May 22, 2006

I have tried several Dacor regs since 1989. I have never had the desire to buy one after using one.

Excellent advice to get an authorized dealer. What you may save on the initial purchase will quickly be lost and then some without a warranty.

Good regulator for a newbie...

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