Okay, I'm new to diving. I have yet to purchase my equipment. I used Scubapro G250 second stage during my OW and AOW classes (I do not remember first stage).
Since getting into diving most everyone I know recommends Scubapro regulators (my instructor - because, "They can be serviced all around the world", my brother who's been diving for 2 years, and the press - Rodale's likes them). My instructor has since clarified his recommendation with, "If I were diving in the Caribbean I would go with Scubapros. If I were diving in cold water at depth I would go with Dive-Rites or Apex's." He says Dive-Rite's regulators are actually made by Apex to DR spec's. My instrcutor said that the guts of both regulators are actually the same. Is this true? He also said DR's reg are much cheaper in cost than Apex's.
What do you guys think of DR's regs?
If I purchased a RG2000 DR reg what would this be comparable to on the Apex side?
What's the deal with this Cold water issue? Are piston style 1st stages more prone to freezing than diaphragm?
Some comments that I heard about the DR reg is that it's easy to clean out the second stage, and that it usually doesn't get as messy as the Scubapros. I like the fact that you can buy DR tuneup kits cheaply, and that DR also supplies a Reg TuneUp manual that can be downloaded. My DR auth dealer stated that Reg TuneUps at the shop cost $40, and parts are free from DR. My instructor dives DR, and likes them alot. He cave dives, and goes to depth (250 - 300 ft). He recently did mention that he may go with an Apex Reg soon because he believes they may actually breathe a little better. He says he doesn't like the swivel on the DR 1st stage. He also commented about Oceanics new regs (I forget which model). He liked the 1st and 2nd stage setups.
Please do not get into "this is better than that" arguements I'm focusing my efforts on why I should/should not buy Scubapros over DR. What's the difference between DR and Apex. And what's the difference between a diaphram vs a piston 1st stage (in regards to cold, and dirty environments). No other Reg is on my radar screen at this moment. Sorry.
oharag
PS Look for additional posts on some of my other gear choices. I appreciate and respect your input.
Since getting into diving most everyone I know recommends Scubapro regulators (my instructor - because, "They can be serviced all around the world", my brother who's been diving for 2 years, and the press - Rodale's likes them). My instructor has since clarified his recommendation with, "If I were diving in the Caribbean I would go with Scubapros. If I were diving in cold water at depth I would go with Dive-Rites or Apex's." He says Dive-Rite's regulators are actually made by Apex to DR spec's. My instrcutor said that the guts of both regulators are actually the same. Is this true? He also said DR's reg are much cheaper in cost than Apex's.
What do you guys think of DR's regs?
If I purchased a RG2000 DR reg what would this be comparable to on the Apex side?
What's the deal with this Cold water issue? Are piston style 1st stages more prone to freezing than diaphragm?
Some comments that I heard about the DR reg is that it's easy to clean out the second stage, and that it usually doesn't get as messy as the Scubapros. I like the fact that you can buy DR tuneup kits cheaply, and that DR also supplies a Reg TuneUp manual that can be downloaded. My DR auth dealer stated that Reg TuneUps at the shop cost $40, and parts are free from DR. My instructor dives DR, and likes them alot. He cave dives, and goes to depth (250 - 300 ft). He recently did mention that he may go with an Apex Reg soon because he believes they may actually breathe a little better. He says he doesn't like the swivel on the DR 1st stage. He also commented about Oceanics new regs (I forget which model). He liked the 1st and 2nd stage setups.
Please do not get into "this is better than that" arguements I'm focusing my efforts on why I should/should not buy Scubapros over DR. What's the difference between DR and Apex. And what's the difference between a diaphram vs a piston 1st stage (in regards to cold, and dirty environments). No other Reg is on my radar screen at this moment. Sorry.
oharag
PS Look for additional posts on some of my other gear choices. I appreciate and respect your input.