Preferred deco bottle reg?

[stuartv]

I've been using a Hollis O2 reg for my deco bottle, as I've only been diving with 1 deco bottle. I am gearing up for TDI Trimix and need to have at least 2 deco bottle reg sets.

If money were no object, what 1st and 2nd stage setup would you choose for a deco bottle?

If money IS an object, then what?


I feel like a swivel turret would be nice. But, I also feel like a 1st stage that screws straight in (like a SP Mk2) would be nice, versus a reg like a Mk25, which has the DIN inlet at 90 degrees to the reg body.

I am debating between a Mk2, Mk25, and something like a Dive Rite XT1 (being more compact than a Mk25 and having a swivel).

 

[rhwestfall]

Randy at Piranha has some simple (just like the MK-2) stages that IIRC, @tbone1004 uses and had recommended to me. You are talking about a relatively shallow depth for your accelerated deco on a rich mix, so simple stages are more than adequate.

 

[BoltSnap]

Atomic M1, 100% O2 ready out of the box

 

[rhwestfall]

Balance Piston Din First Stage

 

[uncfnp]

If it is going to be purely for deco and especially if you plan to keep O2 clean, then between the MK 25 and Mk 2, definitely the MK 2.

Not familiar with Randy’s set but he always has great prices on good gear.

 

[tbone1004]

my money no object deco reg is a Poseidon Xstream Duration MK3. Super small, integrated OPV if you put an inline shutoff on your deco regs, really simple, and a lot less violent of a gas path than most first stages. Reg is reversible if you like to put your deco bottles on the right *which I do*, and the breathing is super nice. They are also very difficult to get to start freeflowing which is a common issue when on DPV's with "normal" looking second stages.

I do have one of the balance pistons that was linked above and used it on my deco bottle, but it sticks out a lot from the valve and I don't really like that. It's fine for me in a cave because I drop it and don't have to dive with it it, but isn't what I would choose. They are the same as the ones from DGX since I know Stuart likes them, though I do prefer supporting Randy when I can but he doesn't have deco bottle packages using that first stage. That one is basically the same as a MK2 and with how expensive MK2's are new and how annoying they are to find used in DIN, I wouldn't personally go that route. It is no longer on my deco reg now that all of my Poseidons have been O2 cleaned and is being relegated to one of the regs for my FFM for IWR.

The thing with deco regs is the first stage doesn't really matter, but you NEED the second stage to be good because you're on that reg for a LONG time so it isn't the place to cheap out on your second stages. The discussion about "balanced vs. unbalanced" because you're shallow is wrong. These are all depth compensating first stages so the breathing at depth is the same as at the surface. The IP changes over tank pressure though so you'll probably want a balanced second stage.
I use a Scubapro 109 on mine for extra differentiation from my Poseidons but I would swap it for an Xstream if I come across one on the cheap. I use O2 cleaned Poseidon 3960 first stages on my deco regs because they're small, have integrated OPV, and easy to O2 clean since I have the o-ring sizes for them etc etc.

So, what would I do if I were budget conscious?
I'd buy this, chuck the other bits, rebuild and O2 clean the MK10 which is super easy and Stuart is a scubapro tech anyway, and call it a day
Scubapro MK10 DIN G200 Regulator with Octo, Gauges and BCD Hose - Complete Set | eBay

 

[runsongas]

money no object: XTX40/DS4 DIN - Oxygen

real world: o2 clean a used tx40 or 50/ds4 and oms workhorse

 

[tomfcrist]

I use a bunch of different ones. My o2 reg is a Dive rite unbalanced piston setup...I like my hog D1s as well for travel gas and stages. Pretty much any modern Din regulator that’s not titanium will perform flawlessly....so I sometimes just grab a random reg out of my gear locker( mind you I have a lot of regs)

 

[Scared Silly]

What are your back gas regs? I am a single reg diver - all of my regs are the same brand, Atomic. So they are all fully interchangeable. So in my case we have M1 for deco bottles.

 

[jblack]

Apeks