Which reg?

[LoCz]

Hi peeps,

Im due to buy my first set of gear pretty soon and it would be great if someone gave me some hands on advice.

I'm leaning towards the TX100 first and second stage, has anyone got or used this reg?

boy I've got so many questions Is anyone familiar with the Air2 from scubapro. I was wondering about its performance at depth, infact it's perfotmance overall? Any help would be great.

thanks

 

[JoelW]

I have a TX100 setup and know several others here in Minneapolis who use it. It is a bit pricey, but I decided to spend the bucks even though a TX50 would most likely have covered everything that I plan on doing.

When I bought this set I was looking at the regulators that had done very well in the cold water category, such as the Odin, Beuchat VX-10, Sherwook blizzard and a couple of others. Knowing some guys who use the TX100 while ice diving pretty much helped make the decision.

I like the way it breathes, the hoses aren't annoying and the adjustments are easy to do with thick gloves. And there is something inherently cool about the shape of the first stage.

I have yet to experience any buyer's remorse over what I spent versus what I received.

JoelW

 

[Tom]

My wife and both use the Air II and are happy with it so far, although only about 20 dives since we bought them.

One advantage for us is we can get them serviced locally. There are not many choices in Western Colorado.

Tom

 

[LoCz]

Ok now I'm thinking about getting a ScubaPro S550 with it's technopolymer second stage-and a MK20 piston first stage hmm
:bonk:

Or should I choose the Apex TX100 argh I don't know what to do. I know the ScubaPro set up would be about 70 pounds deerer than the TX100 but I'm willing to pay that much more for an increase in perormance. So does anyone use the S550 second stage and if so is there any bubble interference etc?

 

[joewr]

I am probably in the minority here, but I need to write a few words on the system that we like. First and foremost I want to put a vote in the box (with out a hanging chad, though) for the SeaQuest Air Source: one less line out of the octopus is just great! I would never go back to another alternate air source.

My second is to point out my love affair with the Sherwood Oasis second stage for two reasons: (1) the bubbles are diverted to the side of one's face by the twin lateral outlets--for a photographer, that is a godsend; (2) and if one ever has dry mouth, one can use the moisture that accummulates on a pair of "heat exchangers" that condense the moisture from exhaled breaths--if you ever have to dive while using Sudafed (and, I confess that I do from time to time), this, too, is a godsend.

I have not the foggiest idea what such devices cost across the pond, but they are not the lowest cost items at the dive shops that I frequent.

From the loyal oppostion:

Joewr

 

[Mario S Caner]

I have all of the above and can give you an objective opinion on whatever peice in detail or in general.

The ScubaPro 550 second stage isn't I would personally consider while the 600 is sitting right next to it. The reason is simple the Diver-adjustable inhalation control valve on the 600 comes in very handy at extreme depth. The Mk20 is bulletproof, possiblely the best I've ever had the pleasure of diving with, ever, bar non.

The Apeks TX100 is a great reg, but a noticible step down from the ScubaPro, it breathes wonderfully, but it just doesn't deliver the same type of comfort at extreme depth.

The Air2(ScubaPro) and AirSource(SeaQuest) are pretty much on par. The convenience of eliminating an additional hose at 'recreational' depths is great. It makes it much faster and in my opinion safer to donate your primary and reach for the inflator which has an octo built into it, in the unlikely event of an out of air emergency on your buddies end. Here's the catch, keep the unit on you regardless of what depth you're at for added safety, but you definitely must add a conventional octo to your rig at deeper depths. This is imperitive!

Sea you in the Deep Blue
Mario

 

[Mario S Caner]

I routinely check the performance of my gear in all parts of the water column, I can't however (from a liability standpoint) give you any numbers.

You'll find that all integrated octo's deliver adequate air in recreational limits... once you venture beyond these limits... under the careful supervision of a trained professional during the course of an extended range type of training course... you'll be seperating the men from the boys...

Mario

 

[Mario S Caner]

Bubble interference is often over-emphasized. The argument is usually by salesman and manufacturer's trying to sway a potential customer from purchasing a 'half-size' 2nd stage like the micra series regs from US Divers. The 'are you ever going to do any underwater photgraphy' question is thrown out there, and if the answer is a maybe or a yes, that's usually all the ammo they need. The fact of the matter is that if you prefer a smaller lighter 2nd stage like a micra, there are exhaust kits available for them that will channel the bubbles further back before venting them. Of course when a diver is moving through the water, it's irrelevent anyway...

But to answer your question, no bubble interference is not an issue with ScubaPro regulators.

Mario

 

[Rick Murchison]

Both the Air2 and the Air Source are designed as emergency second stages and as such are designed with extreme reliability in mind. Neither will win any "breathability" awards at any depth, although I personally think the Air2 breathes easier than the Air Source (I own both and test 'em on every dive that I dive with either). At 130 feet, I'll defer to one of my fellow instructors for the breathability description for either of 'em - like "tryin' to suck start a Harley."
In my opinion: 1)As an emergency source of air in open water at recreational depths for use in an ascent at normal ascent rates, either is satisfactory. 2)Neither is satisfactory for technical diving.
Rick

 

[LoCz]

I see thx. technical diving is a bit of a grey area for me though : /
So what exactly is technical diving... I mean do you take a course whereby when you are certified you are "allowed" to dive deeper than 130 ft?

What sort of things are technical divers likely to see at greater depths anyway... other than deep wrecks and caves?