Deep 6 Signature Regulator Review

[Scuba J7]

Hi @Scuba J7

See my post #24 for a more complete discussion of the ANSTI testing parameters and correlation with diving Latest ScubaLabs reg test - huh?

The least strenuous test, test #1, has an RMV of 1.32 cf/min. This is nearly 4 times my average RMV over the last 1000+ dives and over twice the highest RMV I have ever had for a complete dive. I don't have a good idea of what my instantaneous RMV might have been during the most strenuous portion of my most difficult dives. The RMVs for the other 3 dives are 2.65 and 2.21 cf/min, quite some breathing. These values are meant to simulate one or 2 divers breathing at up to maximal rates.

So....any regulator that gets a passable score on test #1 is likely to be judged to breath just fine for a recreational dive, under most usual conditions. When push really comes to shove, their may be some differences between the regs.

The Scubapro regulators I listed rated 5-5-5-5. The Deep 6 Signature rated a 5-3-3-0. The worst performing reg, the Scuba Concepts Honu, rated a 4-0-0-0. The narrative for the Honu reads:
...the Honu’s performance on the ANSTI simulator was rated very good at recreational depths, though it tailed off a bit at our greatest test depths. In the water, the Honu delivered solid performance, with divers rating it very good for ease of breathing in all attitudes except face-up (where it was still rated good), and very good for dry performance in all positions. The second stage is about average in size but quite light, and was rated very good for comfort. Divers found the purge soft and progressive, and the Venturi control did its job well and was easy to use.

Subjective breathing experiences with regulators under easy rec diving conditions does not appear to really differentiate between any acceptable regulator. I appreciate knowing my regulator has a significant reserve, someday I may need it. How much reserve is needed, I don't know. Most divers are completely unaware of ScubaLab testing and dive away happily every day.

Thanks for the link and the info contained within, makes their tests seem a little more on level. I was under the impression that the RMV was imperial as is the depth on their test.

 

[alter718]

Hi @Scuba J7

See my post #24 for a more complete discussion of the ANSTI testing parameters and correlation with diving Latest ScubaLabs reg test - huh?

The least strenuous test, test #1, has an RMV of 1.32 cf/min. This is nearly 4 times my average RMV over the last 1000+ dives and over twice the highest RMV I have ever had for a complete dive. I don't have a good idea of what my instantaneous RMV might have been during the most strenuous portion of my most difficult dives. The RMVs for the other 3 dives are 2.65 and 2.21 cf/min, quite some breathing. These values are meant to simulate one or 2 divers breathing at up to maximal rates.

So....any regulator that gets a passable score on test #1 is likely to be judged to breathe just fine for a recreational dive, under most usual conditions. When push really comes to shove, their may be some differences between the regs.

The Scubapro regulators I listed rated 5-5-5-5. The Deep 6 Signature rated a 5-3-3-0. The worst performing reg, the Scuba Concepts Honu, rated a 4-0-0-0. The narrative for the Honu reads:
...the Honu’s performance on the ANSTI simulator was rated very good at recreational depths, though it tailed off a bit at our greatest test depths. In the water, the Honu delivered solid performance, with divers rating it very good for ease of breathing in all attitudes except face-up (where it was still rated good), and very good for dry performance in all positions. The second stage is about average in size but quite light, and was rated very good for comfort. Divers found the purge soft and progressive, and the Venturi control did its job well and was easy to use.

Subjective breathing experiences with regulators under easy rec diving conditions does not appear to really differentiate between any acceptable regulator. I appreciate knowing my regulator has a significant reserve, someday I may need it. How much reserve is needed, I don't know. Most divers are completely unaware of ScubaLab testing and dive away happily every day.

So well put. I've been researching regs and wasting way too much time obsessing over scores that in daily practice will mean nothing to a new diver like me. Thanks for this post!

 

[scubadada]

Hi @alter718

I've spent a good amount of time over the years attempting to understand scuba topics and issues. I'm always glad when I can assist others.

Good diving, Craig

 

[Doz2064]

Just returned from our annual dive trip to Bonaire and wanted to let everyone know how our signature series regs worked. In a word....Flawlessly. Just before our trip my wife and I purchased sets of the signature series 1st and 2nd stages. We did 27 dives in 6 days. We dove inverted, on our back and in about every other imaginable position at one time or another. No issues at all and easy breathing. The only issue my wife had was jaw fatigue after a bit, but not enough to change our dive plan. We had our regs set up with a 40" hose on primary/donate reg and 20" hose of secondary on a necklace. We will experiment with her hose routing to see if that has any effect. Over all, we are very happy with our signature series regs.

 

[aviator8]

Just returned from our annual dive trip to Bonaire and wanted to let everyone know how our signature series regs worked. In a word....Flawlessly. Just before our trip my wife and I purchased sets of the signature series 1st and 2nd stages. We did 27 dives in 6 days. We dove inverted, on our back and in about every other imaginable position at one time or another. No issues at all and easy breathing. The only issue my wife had was jaw fatigue after a bit, but not enough to change our dive plan. We had our regs set up with a 40" hose on primary/donate reg and 20" hose of secondary on a necklace. We will experiment with her hose routing to see if that has any effect. Over all, we are very happy with our signature series regs.

I have almost the same set and about to put them through their first multi day dive. for the long hose are you running it straight to the second stage, with an elbow, or an omniswivel? If you don't have one an elbow or Omniswivel may help out with jaw fatigue

 

[scubadada]

I have almost the same set and about to put them through their first multi day dive. for the long hose are you running it straight to the send stage, with an elbow, or an omniswivel. If you don't have one an elbow or Omniswivel may help out with jaw fatigue

I have had the same setup for quite a while. I have tried a 70 degree elbow, a 90 degree elbow, and have been diving an Omniswivel for several years, easily the most comfortable, especially with a lot of diving.

 

[eelnoraa]

First, I think scubalab measurement isn't entirely objective. And I think "NA means regulator did not successfully complete that level", it probably really mean test was NOT conducted. Anyone with experience with Deep6 knows it isn't a bad regulator at all. In fact, point me to a mainstream modern balanced regulator that is bad

I wouldn't say Deep6 is better or worse than mk17/G260. They just feel different. I think every 2nd stage, due to the geometry, venturi setup, etc, they tend to feel different. In one of my class which we were required to share air and exit, I had Atomic M1. Other two member in the team has mk25/A700, and DST/XTX50. Everytime I breathed from their regulator, I felt both of theirs were better. We later discussed about this and we came to a conclusion that it is not better or worse, just different. We even swapped regulators during the class.

 

[Doz2064]

I have had the same setup for quite a while. I have tried a 70 degree elbow, a 90 degree elbow, and have been diving an Omniswivel for several years, easily the most comfortable, especially with a lot of diving.

Running long hose under arm with 90 degree elbow at 2nd stage. short hose over shoulder. also considering softer/smaller mouthpiece.

 

[grf88]

I changed out the Deep6 mouthpieces for Apeks ComfoBite which significantly reduce jaw fatigue.

 

[lowflyer]

also considering softer/smaller mouthpiece.

I switched out the mouth piece on mine for a stiffer one because I thought the Deep6 mouthpiece was too soft, causing me to have to bite down on it to keep it straight in my mouth resulting in jaw fatigue. And yes I do have an omniswivel also.

Other than that I have put quite a few dives on my Signature set and find it easy to breath in any position and trouble free.