I am a big fan of the regulator because it gives just the right amount of gas you ask for with very little effort. They are quite a few titanium regulators on the market thesedays, some that are made completely from titanium (body and internal components), and others that useonly titanium components. You should expect to pay between US$250 to $1200 and even more. Sleek and slick design with doesnt compromise functionality. Youll just need aconverter. All the regulators on this list are tried and tested by divers around the world and are popular options for a reason. Most regulators feature three or four low-/medium-pressure ports for second-stage regulators, BCD inflators, etc., and one or two high-pressure ports for the pressure gauge.
Together, these companies have engineered 20 improvements on the Zeagle Flathead regulator series, including changes to the inner mechanisms, materials, and exterior controls. Oh, and you can even choose between a small exhaust tee if youre keen to cut down on bulk or a larger tee that will minimize bubble interference (this one comes as standard).
Breath quality is excellent for the price. It features five low-pressure ports on a 360-degree swivel, two high-pressure ports and a two-piece piston for precise optimum balance. Instead of buying a complete set in one go, thefirst stageand the primary second stage are sold together.
You cant really go wrong with this AC2 first stage and XS2 second stage. And which one is right for you? Some models are more expensive because they have different systems adapted to technical diving or cold-water diving, among other specialties. It might not be the best regulator for cold climates but, if youre more of a fair-weather diver, then the simplicity, dependability, and affordable price point make this reg an attractive option. The AC25 is the next generation of the companys popular IP adjustable balanced piston first stage. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Best Scuba Diving Regulators. Most of Cressis scuba gear has a reputation for dependability and these regulators are no different. A-clamps are also called yoke, INT, and international. Once your regulator is clean, keep it in a dry place protected from the sun. As a scuba diving instructor I only what the best for my students and myself. No BS, ever. Therefore, they are not ideal for extreme. Here, well be going over the best scuba regulators. Read Full Review: Atomic T3 Review: The Best Regulator Money Can Buy. You might have noticed that all of the regulators mentioned here are available with either DIN or yoke valves, but what does this actually mean? A regulator consists mainly of the following parts: Your email address will not be published. There are so many options and its not easy to find the right one. Top quality regulator for serious divers. This is the mixture which EANx certified divers are licensed to use as well. But what do these switches do? The Atomic Aquatics ST1 features a stainless steel first stage with great durability. Other features, such as large purge buttons, can also make a regulator cold-water friendly, but this is merely referring to usability rather than safety. There will also be ahigh-pressure port(marked HP) for the SGP/Console. Scuba regulators are essential pieces of precision equipment, so they do come with a hefty price tag compared to other bits of kit. Technical info: Balanced diaphragm, warm water. But, If you are still on the fence about buying a titanium scuba regulator, below are a few reasons why you should consider them. This makes them perfect for diving in saltwater and remote places where you cannot immediately rinse your scuba regulator after diving. The first stage is completely dry and environmentally sealed. The Scubapro M25 EVO A700 features a nice design with a chrome-plated brass body. To build it down, this is what you should consider: We cover all these points in-depth in and other important buying considerations in our guide tobuying a scuba regulator. The high quality of the craftsmanship is highlighted by the long servicing period it only needs to be checked out every 3 years or 300 dives, so its an awesome regulator for anyone diving out in the sticks (where maintaining gear is tricky). Well cover budget, mid-range, and high-end options. His affinity for gear that works and his generosity for guiding people on their own path match his energy as editor of all things travel-related. This means that the internal parts of the first stage are completely protected from the environment, which stops them seizing up in cold environments. If youre after a beginner-friendly regulator that makes a great travel buddy, then look no further than the Tusa RS1207. However, a regulator is made from pieces of high-precision and modern engineering. At 100-130 feet, I find it very easy to breathe. All regulators must go through strict controls to ensure that they meet quality and safety standards. Great performance, ultralight and durable. This disclosure pertains to all product links. Although we go to great lengths to help you become a better scuba diver. Although still very secure, this seal is more vulnerable to knocks than a DIN seal. Get inspired by checking out our: Find a jaw-dropping location for your next wilderness adventure by checking out our epic Destination Guides! PROS: Side exhaust reduces bubble distortion, suitable for cold-water diving, great for photographers and technical divers, stylish. A final touch that we cant get enough of is the port system there are heaps of ports to choose from and the low-pressure ports are high-flowing and mounted on turrets to allow some rotation, resulting in customizable, ergonomic configurations. Low profile design even in A-clamp configuration. The Z in the product name stands for Zirconium which the company uses as plating over the first stages chrome and brass bases. Best Scuba Regulators | Cold Water Regulators | Regulators for Traveling. Regulators feature either a downstream or an upstream demand valve second stage. Incomparable gas delivery despite tough conditions.
The benefit of this system is that upstream valves are much more resistant to freeflow and unlikely to suffer from issues caused by wear and tear. Its pretty simple, just remember that DIN screws in. Best value for the money amongtop-end regulators. Aside from tanks, regulators are the most fundamental bit of gear we need to breathe underwater. The regulator supplies air only when we inhale and expels the breathed air when we exhale. All content is copyright protected by either DIVEIN.com or respected copyright holders.
And we love the oversized purge valve thats super easy to locate when you need it ideal for beginners. Check scuba forums for advice and reviews and follow the information you find in trusted publications, such as this one. Piston first stages are built with fewer moving parts, having a high-performance and simple design, while the diaphragm first stages use a rubber diaphragm with a heavy spring to operate the valve between the two chambers. But, with Titanium components, wear to internal metal parts are virtually nonexistent. PROS: Affordable yet features some nice extra touches, lightweight, easy to maintain. To learn more about regulators and the differences in price brackets, check out our extensive guidehere. A yoke mount is the first choice of most divers because they can find compatible tanks and mounts all over the world. The Atomic T3 Titanium is one of the finest dive regulators youll find on the market. This matters when it comes toexternal conditionsincluding the amount of gas remaining in a tank. Excellent inhalation sensitivity and superb breathing performance. The chrome-plated brass body of the first stage and the all-metal casing of the second stage make this one dependable regulator, although be warned it is a tad heavier than other, less robust, models. LP ports: Four (with the option for a fifth), Adjustable: breathing effort and dive/pre-dive venturi switch, Second stage: Pneumatically balanced downstream demand valve, Should the first stage have Din or York(A-clamp). I have been traveling the world for the last 10 years and I hope my experiences, photos and hiking routes inspire you to travel the world too. But dont let the light weight fool you into thinking this reg is flimsy constructed mainly from titanium, it can definitely handle a few bumps and scrapes and its resistant to corrosion too thanks to the PVD coating. WEIGHT: 0.66 lbs (DIN first stage)/0.51 lbs (yoke first stage); 0.5 lbs (second stage; without mouthpiece), PORTS: High pressure 2, low pressure (with high flow) 5, PROS: Cold-water friendly, incredibly easy breathing, extremely durable, lots of rotating ports, CONS: Slightly heavy, not the cheapest reg out there. This reg is a workhorse that just keeps going. This reg is simple to use and simple to maintain, and because it isnt jam-packed with the kinds of bells and whistles entry-level divers dont need, maintenance costs are generally low. I learned to dive with this set and love the easy breathing, so I purchased one for myself. Regulators are what allow us to breathe from high-pressure, compressed air at depth. Although it doesnt come with heaps of fancy features, the basic design makes this regulator super simple to use. First stage: This is the part connected to the tank. Of note here is that A-clamp tanks are more common. A scuba regulator regulates the flow of air. Hi, Im Miguel; Adventure traveler, scuba diver and hiking lover. You will pay anywhere from $400 $800 more than you would on a normal regulator. Poseidon wasnt messing around when they designed this regulator. Recently, there has been a spate of cheap Chinese-made regulators making their way into divers mouths. This Scubapro regulator is defiantly worth the price. Plus, any yoke users out there will be pleased to know that theres an extra filter in the yoke model that minimizes the effects of polluted air. To stop this, venturi-assisted breathing is deactivated until youre ready to breathe from your reg, at which point you flick the switch to dive mode for easy breathing. This creates a vacuum which, in terms of regs, aids the flow of air out of the second stage. When diving, dont let pieces like the manometer or the second alternative stage hang because they can hit the bottom. The regulator breathes really smooth, all you have to do is think about breathing and it delivers. All Titanium second stage like the Atomic T3, All the high-tech features of the T3 in a more affordable package, Automatic Venturi Flow Control for optimum breathing Performance, Optional factory environmentally seal for cold water diving, Heavy Chrome-plated brass first stage body. Whats more, the first stage is balanced too, ensuring a steady flow of air even throughout your entire dive. If you fill a DIN tank to 300 bar and use a it with a A clamp reg on it, you could end up in a world of hurt or worse! Someone that dives this much will find themselves retiring a regulator every couple of years or so. Plus, this reg features a balanced piston first stage, a venturi switch, and an effort adjuster knob (although it can be slightly stiff to use), so you can be sure of easy breathing regardless of depth and dive time. With a downstream valve, the valve opens with the direction of the gas flow and is closed with a small spring. While it might not be constructed from the flashiest of materials, this reg can handle some wear and tear its super robust for its price range. This means that we may receive a small commission if you make purchases through those links. So if youre planning a tec diving excursion or a foray into the dark side, go for balanced regs. Already know the Cressi AC25 Master Cromo is for you?
Although many divers consider them to be a better and more reliable option, they are not very popular among recreational divers. Well-angled ports allow for multiple configurations. The Best Starboard Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide, The Best iRocker Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide, Blackfin Paddle Boards: The Best Paddle boards from Blackfin, How To Choose a Kayak Paddle? By combining this with the Master Cromo second stage, Cressi has provided divers with a regulator that performs well in any underwater environment. Rated highly in scuba gear reviews, Zeagles regs have earned a reputation for toughness, reliability, and value for money. If the price tags of regulators like the Atomic T3 make you want to cry, then fear not, the Aqua Lung Calypso is an awesome regulator that offers fantastic all-round performance at a surprisingly low price. Travel regulators tend to have various parts made from aluminum, and there are some extremely lightweight hose materials on the market nowadays. That depends on what type of diving you do, the features you need and your preferences. Income disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn affiliate commissions when you buy via links found on DIVEIN.com: If you find a good deal on our site, you click to the retailer and you buy the product, we get a commission of the sale. Look for regs that have been specifically designed for this purpose. Its built ofultralight and durable titanium and features great corrosion resistanceand the best breathing performance. If your first breath underwater was anything like ours, you were probably so mesmerized by the marine world that you hardly noticed your regulator even though it was, quite literally, your lifeline! Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you are looking for a scuba diving regulator, you mustfind the one that best fits your needs. Read more, Terms Of Service Privacy Policy Cookies Policy. Lighter models also have the advantage of being easier to carry to and from the dive site and not burdening you as much in the water. Helping Ordinary People To Become Better Divers. The same goes for maintenance - the simple design means there isnt much to check out, so its perfect for anyone new to the world of repairing gear. In-depth reviews of the best lightweight backpacking gear, and comprehensive guides to the worlds most amazing trail hiking destinations. Torben traveled around South East Asia for scuba diving and almost didnt come back. Importantly, this adds no cost to our readers, yet helps us to keep doing what we love. The information and advice provided atScubaDiverHQ.com should not be substituted for proper dive training. And this same quality is readily apparent in Zeagle regulators. WEIGHT: If youll be travelling a lot, then you might want to go for a lightweight regulator. DIN: DIN regulators feature a screw with an O-ring on the end that attaches to a DIN-compatible tank. Full Titanium construction for lightweight and durable construction, 2nd Stage comfort swivel greatly reduces jaw fatigue, Balanced 1st and 2nd Stage for easy breathing. The unique system also means that this reg is sensitive to air demand. All the second stage is constructed ofultralight corrosion-resistant titanium. To narrow your search, I have compiled a list and reviews of some of the best titanium regulator on the market today. Coldwater diving isnt for the fainthearted, and it requires gear thats up to the challenge like the hardy Scubapro MK25 EVO/A700. Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. And, in case that wasnt enough, it also features an adjustable inhalation effort knob as well as a venturi-initiated vacuum assist switch, making for truly effortless breathing overall. It's everything you need from a regulator, plus it's durable. Simple, sleek, and made from high-grade marine chrome, this reg from Oceanic will last for years to come. Most scuba regulators are sold slightly differently to what you may have encountered with rental equipment. We likethis converterfrom manufacturer, Beaver. This is a fantastic regulator system! Environmental sealing prevent outside contamination like silt, sand, and prevent freezing. Factory environmentally sealed 1st stage for use in cold water. SWIVELS: Some regulators first stages have ports located on turrets that swivel. A balanced first stage regulator has a consistant air supply at a constant pressure, regardless of the air remaining in the tank. The low-pressure ports are actually more like medium pressure ports thanks to their generous pressure, and theyre located on a rotating turret to ensure optimal placement. What makes a regulator more expensive isnt safety. Avoid regulators that need a firm bite to keep them in place, as your jaw wont feel comfortable after long dives. With an ultra-light weight of just 1.6 lbs, this regulator is one of the lightest on the market. An A-clamp (or international) reg, on the other hand, sits over the tanks opening valve. *A note on terminology here. Our advice here is to stay clear.
DIN tanks are the preferred choice of tank in Europe so, if thats where youll be diving, it might make sense to opt for a DIN reg (but, if youre diving elsewhere, you can remove an insert from most yoke tanks to make them compatible with your DIN reg). But it is the best performing scuba regulator I have ever breathe from. If you dive with a dry suit, you will need an additional port so you can add air to your suit from the tank. Because the regulator screws into the tank, the seal is very secure, and DIN tanks and regulators are traditionally considered slightly safer than yoke systems. S630Ti 2nd stage is smaller and lighter, yet performs better than the s600. However, for cold water and technical diving, DIN valves tend to be the best choice. But the general rule of thumb is if you want thebest dive regulatoryou generally have to pay more. Not sure of the difference? Regs arent the simplest piece of diving equipment but with our advice on the best scuba regulators youll be diving with confidence! Since releasing the Polaris 4 regulator in the mid-1960, Cressi has continued to innovate and raise the standards of durability and performance in this category. WARM: Good news fair-weather divers, you dont have to think about water temperature when shopping around for your next reg standard regulators should work absolutely fine in water 50F/10C and upwards. Technical info: Balanced piston, warm and cold water. A DIN-tank is rated to 300 bar and an A-clamp-tank is rated to 232 bar. The Fluid Dynamic Deflector delivers excellent and natural breathing at any depth and makes it one of thebest scuba regulators for its price. If you are someone that only dive a few times a year, then going with a titanium regulator might no seem justifiable. The result is a reg that works harder, breathes better, and lasts longer. The exceptional A700 second stage forms the ultimate high airflow system for all diving needs. That's is how we pay ourselves. EFFORT ADJUSTMENT KNOBS: People often confuse the venturi switch with effort adjustment knobs, but theyre very different things. Pro Tip: Use your old mask box to store your inserts, alan keys,dive tool, spare fin straps, and all those bits and pieces the well-equipped diver never leaves the shore without. You can get a better recommendation than that! The Hollis 200 LX features a pneumatically balanced PVD valve for great breathing performance, and has an ergonomic design that channels bubbles away from the field of view and reduces exhaust effort. If youre the type of diver whos always boarding a plane, you wont be weighed down by this bit of kit. If so, click on the link below for the latest prices and all the details. Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. Regulators certainly arent the simplest bit of scuba gear out there (or the cheapest! If youre interested in knowing more, you should consider getting aScuba Certification, and start out diving. Actually, its based on a fairly basic principle.
Your email address will not be published. But theyre often the last bit of kit that divers invest in probably because of their high price tags and slightly technical nature. We also like that it comes with a second high-pressure port and, like most Hollis products, has a stylish overall appearance. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. If youre going diving in places like Silfra or in waters that are significantly colder than 14 degrees Celsius / 57 degrees Fahrenheit, you need a regulator thats fit for purpose. It weighs just under a kilogram (2.5 pounds) and will not take up valuable weight allowance when youre traveling. Then, when you screw the reg into the tank, the O-ring is snugly inside. Steller breathing performance and reliability, more compact and lighter than the S600. On the other hand, if you tend to dive in cold water, youll need an environmentally sealed first stage that will prevent the air from getting frozen inside the first stage. In contrast, if youre breathing from a regulator that has an unbalanced first stage, youll notice that breathing effort becomes a little harder as the amount of air in your tank decreases. As you might remember from your initial training, this results in a free-flowing regulator and very rapid loss of air. Just bear in mind that the hose on this regulator is a tad short so it might feel slightly restrictive for larger folk or divers wearing bulky gear. Without our regs, wed be limited to the surface and breath-hold dives. I dove down to 100 feet in 38 degrees water and not one issue anywhere or anytime. Its high performance makes it a great choice for all demanding divers. By entering your email address you agree to get a weekly email newsletter from ScubaDiverHQ.com. Proponents of DIN argue that because the O-ring is placed in a less superficial position, there is an added level of safety. But, if you can afford it, then were pretty sure youll love your investment. HOW MANY: The ports are located on the regulator first stage, and you can choose where to connect your hoses to get your favorite configuration. However, all things considered, this regulator offers great all-round performance at a surprisingly low price point. Suitable for mixed gas diving and 100% O2 after being O2 cleaned. Second alternative stage: This works exactly like the second stage. The mouthpiece is exceptionally comfortable. Find the best scuba regulator for your next dive trip by checking out our list of the top 10 Scuba Regulators available on the market today. For the F8, Zeagle partnered with Atomic Aquatics, a brand renowned for the radical innovations it brought to the dive industry over the years. It does not make the product pricier for you. This makes it easy and fast to mount and dismount. Titanium scuba regulators are much lighter, corrosion-resistant, and durable than their brass counterparts, but are also quite expensive. Before we get stuck in though, lets first examine what you should be looking for in a scuba regulator. So, if you do this,make sure the pressure of the tank does not exceed 232 bar, before you add the A-clamp on the tank. Well, the venturi effect relates to how fast-moving air often sucks in the slow-moving air around it. That is the question that many scuba divers as when they see how much they cost. Titanium regulators arent cheap. The size of the hose must be right, too not too short and not too long. Its also a popular choice among divers who prioritize comfort thanks to the patented orthodontic mouthpiece, which requires minimal effort to hold in place, and the fixed hose routing thats perfect for sidemount diving (which is probably as close to freediving as you can get with a tank!). The Sherwood SR2 is a technically advanced regulator with a great breathing performance. The second Apeks on our list and this one is chock full of the kind of features that you didnt even know you needed. Any dive center worth its salt (water) will have these readily available. The Scubapro MK 25 EVO G260 is another high-quality diving regulator.
Its available in both DIN and yoke models and is compatible with nitrox cylinders (up to 40%). For deco dives and Trimix diving, you should consider the regulators compatibility with gasses including higher percentage oxygen (commonly used foraccelerated decompression) and helium. To counteract this, upstream regs must feature an OPV (over-pressure relief valve) in their designs. The Z3 is great because you get the Atomic Quality and tech of the T3, but at a lower price given the more basic materials used. The Poseidon Xstream, however, has an upstream design. [What You Need to Know]. Smooth breathing even after 1,000+ hours of use, Comparable to regulators at a higher price point. It really doesnt take more than a couple of minutes and youre good to go! This effectively stops the freeflow, but it also means that the build-up of pressure may lead to another failure. If youre traveling for diving a lot, youll want a reg that doesnt take up a lot of your sports bags allowance. Here are a few of our favorite scuba regulators on the market: To know more about what Regulator will work best for your needs, check out our Buyers guide here. It might not be the cheapest reg out there, but it will stand the test of time, perform well in a range of environments, and provides super smooth breathing, so we think its worth it overall. In an upstream reg, the same situation results in the valved being forced closed. 2022 ScubaDiverHQ.com, Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy, {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"f3080":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1},"f2bba":{"name":"Main Light 10","parent":"f3080"},"trewq":{"name":"Main Light 30","parent":"f3080"},"poiuy":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"f83d7":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"frty6":{"name":"Main Light 45","parent":"f3080"},"flktr":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":" rgb(23, 23, 22)"},"f2bba":{"val":" rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"trewq":{"val":" rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"poiuy":{"val":" rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"f83d7":{"val":" rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"frty6":{"val":" rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}},"flktr":{"val":" rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"l":0.09,"s":0.02}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)","hsl":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.5}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.7}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.35}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.4}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.2}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, Best Titanium Scuba Regulator: Should You Buy One, Still Looking For The Right Scuba Regulator, Titanium has very poor thermal conductivity. The Cressi AC2 features a second stage regulator with a breakthrough patented design that results in less breathing effort for the diver. This is an A-clamp reg but its also available in DIN here. The temperature range is down to 0.5 degrees Celcius (32.7 degrees Fahrenheit). The outer casing is built to last and is PVD coated meaning its not going to show any signs of wear or tear even after several years of use.