What makes one regulator better than another?

[Centrals]

Just like buying a car. So many options for various reasons.
But unlike car nothing will turn my head with regulator.

In US:
Major brand:SP or AL with Mares at 3rd.
Lesser known: Deep 6 with DGX comes in 2nd. Deep 6 is a dedicated manufacturer on their brand only.

 

[Wibble]

Discarding low-end regulators, there’s very little — or no — practical differences between good medium price regulators and their top-price siblings, except the price. About the only feature is the cracking resistance knob on the second stage (which very few people would ever choose to dial down). A twistable turret on the first stage is occasionally useful for specialist applications (sidemount and deco stages).

"Military" connotations, titanium, chromed mouthpieces, odd hose routing are all examples of ways the manufacturers attempt to differentiate their products to gouge more money from the punters.

In a blind test it’s unlikely you’d ever notice any difference when breathing from an expensive regulator.

 

[undrwater]

Please don't buy from AliExpress or the like. They sell some VERY cheap regulators with interesting brand names, but the quality is unknown.

I recall a thread here where a member was going to purchase one just to tear it apart. Not sure what happened since.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Discarding low-end regulators, there’s very little — or no — practical differences between good medium price regulators and their top-price siblings, except the price. . . .

I can't even name what I might consider a "low-end" reg that should be "discarded" from consideration by ordinary recreational divers. Can you?

In all these threads in which people recommend reg brands they like, I don't recall anyone naming a brand NOT to buy. I suppose there may be some virtually unknown brands being hawked directly by manufacturers through e-commerce sites like Alibaba, but I can't imagine that any brand sold by a normal dive shop would be unsuitable for most of us.

edit: I was typing while @undrwater posted above. Yeah, what he said.

 

[Open Ocean Diver]

This is all you need, if you dive in cold lakes perfect, dive warm salt water deep perfect, tech diving perfect. Serviced all over the world. Great if you want to service yourself. Check out the price.

ScubaPro MK17 EVO/G260

 

[Centrals]

DGX Custom - Dive Rite XT Streamlined OW Reg Package

A complete set for $649.00.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

.... apeks clones from dive rite/deep 6/hog .

Deep 6 signature regs are their own design and not a clone of anyone. I wish people would stop propogating that myth.

I can't even name what I might consider a "low-end" reg that should be "discarded" from consideration by ordinary recreational divers. Can you?.

I can. Cressi. The only regs I threw away as I didn't want to give it away for free and have someone else deal with the headache of brand new parts failing.

 

[Centrals]

Single Tank Packages - Regulator Packages - Regulators

They offer two packages at $540 and $660 respectively.
Made in FREE China(Taiwan) so you won't find them in aliexpress!!!! LOL

Any main stream brands would cost a lot more.

 

[BoltSnap]

Deep 6 signature regs are their own design and not a clone of anyone. I wish people would stop propogating that myth.

Clone of the HOG regulators with some enhancements. HOG is based on Apeks design. So the D6 regulator is the illegitimate daughter of an Apeks regulator design clone.

I can. Cressi. The only regs I threw away as I didn't want to give it away for free and have someone else deal with the headache of brand new parts failing.

This is one of the rarest times where I agree with you, Cressi is the crappiest of all crappie regulators indeed.

I'll buy you a Turkish coffee and Turkish Baklava when we meet for sure.

 

[BoltSnap]

This is all you need, if you dive in cold lakes perfect, dive warm salt water deep perfect, tech diving perfect. Serviced all over the world. Great if you want to service yourself. Check out the price.

ScubaPro MK17 EVO/G260

Awesome combo in all considerations indeed.

The Atomic Z2 is best value in regulators with best performance and best reliability:

Dive Regulators: The Z2/Z3 Regulator from Atomic Aquatics