TheRedHead:
Do you mean objectively "the best"? There are many threads on regulators here, but that regulator hasn't been mentioned as anyone's top choice. Top choices here usually are Atomtic, Apeks, Scubapro, Zeagle, maybe Aqualung. Most regulators are perfectly fine for warm water recreational diving.
Maybe Aqualung? You must be reading different reviews than I do. What I read, Aqualung is always at or near the top with the other brands you mentioned.
Elven Diver,
Do not buy off of the recommendation of me or anyone else. We all have our own biases and our gear selection is based on those biases and what we deem important to our own wants/needs.
At best, take our recommendations as a point to start selecting brands/models you want to try. Then based on YOUR experiences, wants, needs you can make a decision that will work for you.
You said you're new to scuba and not even sure of what types of diving you may want to get into in the future. Based on those facts alone, I would recommend you not buy gear until you have more experience and understanding on what features, capabilities, service requirements, availability of parts, etc.
Do you anticipate deep diving beyond recreational limits, cave diving, wreck diving with penetration, ice diving? These are specialties that will put specific demands on your reg that will eliminate a number of models right off the bat. How about Nitrox? Most regs are now capable of 40% O2 out of the box, but not all.
Even when I was part owner of a dive shop, I would recommend that new divers try at least three manufacturers and several models within each before they buy.
One of the worst things you could do is rush out and buy a new reg, then 6 months from now find out it won't meet your needs/wants for getting into tech diving if you decide to go there.
I personally like and own multiple Aqualung regs, Legend LX and Titan models. I've tried regs from Sherwood (used to own an Oasis), ScubaPro, Oceanic, Zeagle, Atomic, Mares. For my preferences, Aqualung is my choice. However, if you and I are doing the exact same dives, you may choose something else. Or where I prefer the Legend LX, you may prefer the Titan.
It is excellent that you have come here to seek information and recommendations. But remember, your choices have to make YOU safe, confident and happy; not us, not some shop owner/authorized dealer.
Take what we say with a grain of salt that stands for our individual biases. Use it as a starting point for research. Take your time and you will be much more confident with your decision and avoid buyers remorse. You'll probably save money too.
