Advice on mixing first and second stage Regulators

[elduquette]

I have an Aqua Lung Legend LX Regulator bought in 2005
I have never really been impressed with its performance Or, at least what I have always perceived as “Impressive Performance”.
I have had it rebuilt by different places and shops, each time asking for adjustment/tweaking for breathing that practically pushes air at you when you breath never really seeing a change.

I know the first stage is not the source of my performance issues so I am thinking I would like to change out the second stage only.

What do I “NEED” to know in paring up a first stage regs with a (not same brand) second stage?

I am looking at the Atomic B2 as a possibility any opinions on that and or other options?


Looking for "VERY" easy breathing as in blows air into your lungs. I always breath deep and slow so I think it will help

 

[Zung]

There's no technical problem mixing 1st & 2nd from different brands, but you have to make sure your tech can deal with both brands, if you don't do the servicing yourself.

The AL Legend LX is NOT a bad breather by far, but in recent years, AL has the tendency to tweak their second's very close to the CE standard, i.e. controlled Venturi assistance, so the inhalation effort, after the initial spike, is close to zero but not overly positive.

OTOH, Scubapro still believes in stronger Venturi assistance, so the inhalation effort goes way positive during the breathing cycle. If you like the "force feed" feeling, give the G250V a try.

 

[naim06]

G250V , yes definitely... Eventhough I have A700, I am still planning to buy one.

 

[Capt.Gene]

Have you tried de-tuning your 2nd stage?

 

[j2s]

I use the HOG 2nd's on Apeks 1st's [slowly switching to HOG D2 1st's] and have used them on the AL Legend Supreme 1st as well [also not impressed w/the Legend's performance ]...I've interchanged all three brand's 1st's and 2nd's w/no compatibility problems......The HOG's are a much better value for the money.......I use them primarily for cave/tech

 

[scubasam1212]

Yes the G250, A700, s600 or s555 are all high performing second stages.