Travel Regulator

[BlueTrin]

Rental regulators always leave something desired for me. If I did have to pick 1, BC might move the needle for you more. It’ll also make figuring out weight easier as you’ll know where you’ll need it and how much given your familiarity with the BC.

Yea I didn’t mention it but I am definitely gonna buy my own BC, I am looking at a backplate with wings after doing some reading, seems to be about the same price than a good back inflate BCD and more versatile if I need to change one part.

 

[DogDiver]

If you can find one a Scubapro MK 20 UL G500 (ultralight) makes a great travel backup regulator. Aluminum first stage. Be sure it has been recall serviced though.

 

[runsongas]

apeks flight has proprietary parts issues. the new xl4 is nearly as light and i would look at that instead. the tried and true atx40/50 and ds4 isn't very heavy either and is priced well in the uk.

 

[KristenK]

If you want to buy a new, travel regulator, the AquaLung Micron is one choice. Or Apeks Flight.

I just bought the Mikron from LeisurePro, I think it was a good deal...I got a BCD and gauges too...doesn’t come in until Tuesday. I’m testing in the pool before my trip to Bali. I’ll let you know how it is. I’ve only used rental equipment until now.

 

[diversteve]

It's MiKron not Micron.

For around the same money (as the 2018 Mikron) an Atomic Z2 has a 2 year/300 dive recommended factory service interval. I believe Aqualung is still 1st year in$pection and 2nd year service at 100 dives.

IRCC Scubapro went to 2 years a few years ago also.

When I travel (Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, some Pacific) - I se Aqualung dealers everywhere - less so for Atomic.

regs/gauges/computer are always in my carry-on.

 

[Diving Dubai]

@BlueTrin

1. From a purely financial point of view, the price differential of having your own gear (even without ongoing maintenance) verses rental can be very hard to justify. That said there is a great deal of satisfaction from having and using your own.

2. Given yoru location - even with your aversion to cold water diving, I would still recommend investigating BSAC clubs. You don't need to be a BSAC certified diver to join. Apart from having a decent social group of fellow divers, they often have regular pool nights where you can keep yoru skills up to date as well as checking your gear out before a trip. Nothing worse that having your gear not function on a trip after a period without use

3. Look carefully at gear markets as "travel gear" the differences in size and weight is often not that big compared with normal gear and not worth the extra cost. Chose what you feel is best for you

With Regs. My Reg stock (far too many) is exclusively Aqualung and Apex. Both are great robust. The Mikron is a great reg (although I use Legends) and the Apex XTX 50 is a great performer (no need to look at the 100 or 200)

4. For Airline travel our colonial cousins on the West of the pond have more liberal hand luggage allowances than Europe and ME. All my gear except computers goes in the hold. I use obvious dive bags, because they generally fit my needs, and while some people believe it's advertising you hav dive gear, my experience has been in many many trips that dive gear doesn't get stolen because its bulky, has no real resale value unless to other divers so is hard to get rid of.

My regs and BCD's are packed sensibly. that is either in a padded bag (for the regs) or wrapped and protected from sharp objects.

It's worth remembering when choosing a bag, that while it might seem great in the shop, how easy or practical is it on rough surfaces or beaches etc. If I'm going on a liveaboard I'll pack a net bad and use that to move my gear to a boat, leaving my big bulky bag in the shore store. My personal arrangement is that small electronics (dive comp, tablet, phone chargers etc) go in a back pack with whatever else I need for teh flights, dive gear in one bag and clothes etc in another to reduce bag size and weight. I'm a big fan of North Face as they seem to hold up well to travel abuse

Learn the basics, how to change hoses and O-rings on regs etc and take a very basic tool kit (adjustable spanner (wrench) set of imperial and metric allen keys (especially if using Din) so you can at least be a little self sufficient if you have an issue, but better to fully check and dive your gear before a trip (hence pool practice)

Good luck with your decisions and future dive trips

 

[yle]

Hey guys I plan to dive no more than 20 days a year as I live in the UK and I don’t like to be in the cold.

I am planning to buy a BCD and maybe a regulator that I could carry when travelling.

One thing I was wondering is whether you take in your luggage only the regulator or the whole thing with the first stage ?

Not sure I understand this question... if you're asking if you should disassemble the regulator, separate the first and second stage and pack them in separate places...

The answer is no.

Also for someone like me who will only do 20 days maximum of diving a year, is it worth it to buy my own regulator ?

For 20 days of vacation diving a year? No, not worth it. If you do a cost and hassle (i.e. packing it and taking it with you...) analysis, including what it costs to rent a reg (very little, in most vacation destinations) vs to buy and pay for annual service, you'll see why.

Of all scuba gear, a reg is the easiest thing to rent... it doesn't have to be a particular size (like a wetsuit or mask) and they all work the same way (put it in your mouth and breathe.) A BCD is the second easiest thing to rent (and also the most bulky thing to pack... and it has to be serviced annually.)

Spend your money on a mask that fits well and a wrist mounted computer. Those two things will make all the difference on your dives while travelling.

 

[BlueTrin]

Not sure I understand this question... if you're asking if you should disassemble the regulator, separate the first and second stage and pack them in separate places...

The answer is no.



For 20 days of vacation diving a year? No, not worth it. If you do a cost and hassle (i.e. packing it and taking it with you...) analysis, including what it costs to rent a reg (very little, in most vacation destinations) vs to buy and pay for annual service, you'll see why.

Of all scuba gear, a reg is the easiest thing to rent... it doesn't have to be a particular size (like a wetsuit or mask) and they all work the same way (put it in your mouth and breathe.) A BCD is the second easiest thing to rent (and also the most bulky thing to pack... and it has to be serviced annually.)

Spend your money on a mask that fits well and a wrist mounted computer. Those two things will make all the difference on your dives while travelling.

I have already a dive computer and a good mask and snorkel.

How much should I expect for annual service ? Are there bits that are not unsafe to service myself ?

 

[KeithG]

I have already a dive computer and a good mask and snorkel.

How much should I expect for annual service ? Are there bits that are not unsafe to service myself ?

Annual service is expensive, especially if you only do 20 dives a year. Think around 1/4 the price of a new reg (or more.. ).

If you are mechanically inclined then you can maintain your own reg. There are lots of threads here on SB about servicing your own regs.

The roadblock is obtaining service kits and the cost of special tools that some regs require. This should be part of your purchase decision if you plan to DIY your gear.

 

[yle]

I have already a dive computer and a good mask and snorkel.

How much should I expect for annual service ? Are there bits that are not unsafe to service myself ?

You can service it yourself... if you have access to the right parts, tools and training. Paying a dive shop to service a reg varies a bit. My local dive shop charges around $100 for odd year servicing (no parts replaced) and $200 for even year servicing (parts replaced.)

So if a reg costs $10 to rent for a two tank dive, you'll spent about $100 a year renting a reg on vacation (assuming 20 dives a year.) While you could spend around $150 getting your own reg serviced instead. (Convert to GBP as needed... argument stays the same.)

I can't tell you what your local dive shop charges for reg service, but it's likely comparable. To be fair... given the cost of ownership, having your own reg might encourage you to take more diving vacations! So that's a serious advantage.