The next graph shows the same reg at 181 feet and a breathing rate of 30 breaths per minute. Airflow at 2900psi/200bar: 1800 l/min 64 SCFM. Mares calls this a radical departure from other regulators. Reversible hose attachment allows you to easily adjust hose routing for tech diving configurations. The second stage is compact and easy on the jaw, and with its side exhaust, it works on either side (perhaps why it was rated one of the driest regs in head-down position). At a shockingly low price. The Venture is good for blocking free-flows although having the markings MIN and MAX on the top of the second stage would make them more visible. In ANSTI testing, the Xstream earned an excellent rating at recreational depth, recording one of the lowest work-of-breathing scores in our test. However, some divers said the adjustment needed tuning more frequently than they liked, with relatively small changes in depth or breathing rate requiring a touch of the knob. All that metalwork gives it a somewhat beefy look, but test divers found that the second stage is actually quite lightweight and easy on the jaw. And above all else they delivered smooth, quiet breathing, with as little effort as possible. The Cressi Compact Pro MC9-SC (SEAL CHAMBER) has a 1ST stage which is environmentally sealed, protecting it against icing in cold water. completely redesigned pneumatically balanced second stage dramatically reduces resistance, resulting in truly effortless breathing. Otherwise the two versions appeared identical. This simulates the potential demand at maximum recreational depth for a diver at an extremely heavy work rate, or loosely simulates two divers buddy breathing at a somewhat aggressive rate. The barrel on the balanced diaphragm first stage doesnt swivel, but the four low-pressure ports are angled at 20 and 30 degrees for additional hose-routing options. You can easily pay three times more and get a less capable regulator. It can be a big investment and it's important to find. Available in either 3364psi/232bar INT or 4350psi/300bar DIN configurations. Divers noticed this attention to ergonomics, and that earned the F8 top ergonomic scores by ScubaLabs. Regs in this price range tend to be short on frills. Two high flow low pressure ports, two standard LP ports and 2 HP ports. The XS Compact has a tiny lightweight second stage, which is easy on the jaw and is paired with an environmentally sealed MC9- SC (for sealed chamber) first stage rated for cold-water use. The first of the best regulators under $500 is the ScubaPro MK2 EVO/R195. It can really put a loop on finding the best regulator available for your budget. 
In ANSTI tests it was rated excellent at recreational depth, and very good throughout the range of depths and breathing rates. Super-flow hose features an oversized bore (larger inside hose diameter). We tested the latest version of the Cyklon Metal (the Cyklon 5000 has a plastic second stage), which, with its mix of shiny and matte metalwork and large, black diaphragm end cap, has a vintage look that verges on steampunk. The Mares Prestige 15X is available in both DIN or A-Clamp (international) fittings and is more than up to the requirements for recreational scuba diving and would make a perfect traveling companion as well as a first time regulator purchase. The regular Core version and the Core Supreme. They had second stages that were compact and didn't create bubble interference. Find out how they stacked up in this year's regulator review. Feel free to send me an email if you have questions. But for the price, this reg offers admirable performance, making the MK2 EVO/R195 our Best Buy. HOG delivers. The regulator is remarkably easy to inspect and access the mechanism to improve maintenance and calibration operations. Return to Scuba Diving Best Regulators Reviews List. With more than three full turns of adjustment, changes made a big difference, allowing test divers to dial in performance and helping the DX200 earn a very good score for ease of breathing and effectiveness of adjustment. Dont just give your reg a quick rinse after diving give it a good long soak, especially if youve done multiple dives in salt water. The new DX200 is easy to breath and provides a wide range of adjustment. scores at recreational depth, and delivering air effectively even at a Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. The SC designation on this model of the new T10 stands for sealed chamber, signifying the environmentally sealed diaphragm first stage that's rated for cold water.
The Venturi lever was effective, if a little stiff. The nicely finished MX100 has lustrous chrome on the first stage, a braided hose, and an abrasion-resistant finish on the purge cover. Classic downstream valve comes with a VIVA switch to control free flows. The second stage features all-new balanced mechanics, including a demand lever with reduced friction, making breathing more fluid and linear. Goliath grouper spawning, manatee snorkeling, freshwater springs, shark diving: it's all here, and this is when you can do it. 62.5 RMV @ 165 fsw: Always be sure to give clean, fresh water time to wash away any salt that has accumulated before it can cause corrosion or other damage to sensitive parts such as valves and diaphragms. This represents the European conformance standard EN250, and is also the depth and breathing rate commonly used by manufacturers when determining a regulators performance. But testers found that some features on these regs added comfort and convenience. Test divers found the Venturi lever well marked, effective and easy to operate, even though its small and tucked in out of the way. Key features include: Over the past 40+ years, SEAC has built a strong reputation relying on quality, innovation and cutting-edge designs. Cressi has pulled out all the stops with this new Pro version of the XS Compact, providing a regulator which is ideal for traveling as well as suitable for diving in the coldest waters. Best Regulators Under $500- Buying Guide (2021), Scuba diving is an addictive activity for. You can see how each reg performed on the breathing simulator in the charts that accompany the reviews. In ANSTI testing, the MX100 performed very good at recreational depth and good to the depth limits of the test. Mares calls this a radical departure from other regs, and you'll hear no argument from us. In this edition of Ask a Marine Biologist, Dr. David Shiffman discussed shark feeding behavior. Scubia Is a participant in affiliate programs from Amazon Associates, Commission Junction, Click Bank, and Share A Sale. The loops go clockwise, starting at the right, as inhalation begins, and moving to the left, where exhalation starts.
First stage material: forged brass with sanded chrome finish. If you are serious about scuba diving you understand the time and effort it takes to select the right gear for you. We conducted tests on an ANSTI wet breathing simulator at Dive Lab, a commercial test facility in Panama City Beach, Florida. For high performance and reliability, the. A PADI Worldwide Company. will find found nothing muscle-bound about its in-water performance, The XS Compact was one of our divers favorites in last years ergo test, thanks to its really tiny, lightweight second stage, which was easy on the jaw. In ANSTI testing, the DX200 was rated very good across the board at all test depths. In our ratings, a score of 1=3j/l or greater; 2 = 2.26-3.0 j/l; 3 = 1.51-2.25 j/l; 4 = 1.1-1.50 j/l; and 5=1j/l or less. $957.00 Buy NowReturn to Scuba Diving Best Regulators Reviews List*I try to update the prices regularly, but please check links in case prices have changed or for any special offers. The machined brass balanced first stage is rugged and scratch resistant. The XTIS makes this possible by fully isolating the mechanical elements of the first stage from the cold, increasing freezing resistance by an average of 50 percent over the previous MK2 first stage. But it was in the water that the Cyklon really shined, proving to be one of the test divers favorites, tying the top ergonomic scores across the board and making it to multiple divers top-three lists. $809.96 Buy NowReturn to Scuba Diving Best Regulators Reviews List.
Take the time to review the features and capabilities of each of the best regulators to choose the one right for your scuba diving needs. The simulator measures the effort (work of breathing) required to move air through a regulator as it is subjected, under- water, to a precise series of depths and breathing rates. The top graph was taken at 132 feet at 15 breaths per minute, and recorded a work-of-breathing score of .73 joules per liter excellent performance, showing it was able to deliver air at that rate and depth with little effort. The RS790 has excellent performance at a normal breathing rate at recreational depth, and very good performance at depths up to 200 feet. In its latest EVO incarnation, a smaller body houses a larger piston for more-sensitive response, and its rated for cold water. Divers rated the Prestige very good for ease of breathing in swimming position, ease of clearing and dry breathing, although some noted it breathed a bit wetter when head-down. Ultra-comfortable orthodontic mouthpiece is easy to grip yet doesnt inhibit airflow. Stainless steel removable orifice allows for easier maintenance while extending regulator life. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. These are the greatest places to explore unique geologic formations, according to our annual Readers Choice survey. If possible, soak your reg while its installed on a tank and pressurized, which will prevent water from getting inside. They had purge controls that could clear the reg effectively without an excessive blast of air. The more we used this reg, the more we liked it. This is the best diving for every season in a state with endless possibility. 8 Ease of clearing regulator using the blowing method Key Features include: Scubapro introduced the MK2 first stage back in 1963, and it has earned a reputation for smooth performance and the reliability of an anvil. Likewise the purge: It feels odd at first, but with a little use, youre able to use it very precisely. The large, triangular purge cover is rigid and a little stiff in the center, but just a touch along one of the corners clears the reg easily. I am a professional underwater photographer and have spent over 25 years traveling our marvelous planet taking photos of our wonderful oceans. Like its sibling the Xstream, it can be used on either the left or right side. Others found wide open too pushy and preferred to back of the throttle. This valve from Mares has been designed with longevity and advanced performance in mind.
This Mexican cenote offers a chance to dive beneath the world's weirdest (and least understood) cave formations. This provides increased resistance to freezing in cold water and less dry mouth. The Cyklon Metal, with its shiny and matte metalwork and large, black diaphragm end cap gives it a vintage look. Explore the colors, wildlife and formations found in these unique environments. Years from now you will appreciate the removable stainless steel valve seat, easily replaced to extend the first stage service life. Metal components, including metal air barrel and metal valve inlet tube, increase resistance to freezing when diving in extreme conditions. Strikingly Beautiful Anemone Clownfish Finding Nemo, Diving the USS Kittiwake Aging Gracefully. $785.00 Buy NowReturn to Scuba Diving Best Regulators Reviews List. The glossy purge cover and satin-finish metal surrounding it give the reg a refined appearance. The side-exhaust Poseidon Cyklon Metal was launched during the Eisenhower administration in 1958, with nonstop updates ever since. It is a superior regulator thanks to its ultra stable intermediate pressure (IP) resulting in an extremely-punctual and constantly high delivery of air. According to ScubaLab, they are the only regulators under $500.00 to be rated excellent throughout the range-of-breathing rates and depths. These may be some of the many questions you think about when looking into a new regulator for scuba diving. Some divers loved the air control, which, when wide open at depth, seems to deliver air almost before you draw in your breath. vibe. 75 RMV @ 132 fsw: I also provide educational information on various marine species and provide dive site reviews from many of dives from around the world. products that not only keep you safe underwater but also keep you within a budget. The graphs below show results of ANSTI testing on the same reg at different depths and breathing rates. The reg proved capable on the ANSTI machine, where it was rated very good at recreational depth and good to test limits. 10 Purge button stiffness and comfort The dual diver-adjustable features allow for condition-specific tuning during each stage of the dive. Reversible hose attachment makes it easy to use on deco tanks. The Prestige was the only reg in our test with no dive/predive switch, but like all modern regs, it uses the Venturi effect to reduce the effort needed to keep the diaphragm open when inhaling. The advantages of this design includes better arrangement of the hoses and less space occupied. The second stage is based upon a design that was created more than 20 years ago. Diver-adjustable inhalation effort knob fine-tunes air delivery to suit personal tastes. Venturi-Initiated Vacuum Assist (VIVA) dive/pre-dive switch prevents free flows. High-flow exhaust valve reduces exhalation for better overall breathing comfort. In ANSTI testing, the Cyklon scored a rating of very good at recreational depth. The cost of quality batteries is a negligible and well-worth what they add to your kit. Zeagles new flagship regulator leverages the companys heritage (F8 is a nod to the long-running Flathead regulator series), but with a different look and feel oriented as much toward comfort as performance. Editors pick from SportDiver. Exotic materials helped keep components light for comfort without sacrificing performance or durability. The choice of many Navys around the world since 1958, One of the easiest breathing regulators on the market, Breathes the same regardless of diver position in the water, 2nd stage is engineered to be utilized at the divers left or right side, Side exhaust for less bubble interference, All metal durable 2nd stage reduces dry mouth and enhances comfort, Superior Ultra-High Airflow System, Maximum Performance in All-Temperatures & Conditions, 1st & 2nd Stage Body & Housing: Chromed with PVD Black Finished Brass, Superior Cold Water Performance Equal to Scubapros MK17 First Stage, CE Approved for 3360psi (230 bars) in Cold Water Conditions, Proprietary Insulating Coating On-Key Internal Components, Balanced Composite/Stainless Steel Flow-Thru-Piston, LP Ports Mounted on Swivel Turret Cap for Maximum Hose Routing, Diver-Adjustable Venturi-Initiated Vacuum Assist (VIVA). Test divers rated it very good for ease of breathing in swimming position, dry-air delivery in any position, ease of clearing, and effectiveness of the breathing adjustment, which divers found easy to dial in thanks to that oversize, grippy knob. The denser air, higher water pressure and rapid breathing are taxing the reg, pushing its work- of-breathing score to 1.76 joules per liter good, but a difference a diver would feel. all depths and breathing rates, recording the lowest work-of-breathing The Fusion 52X second stage incorporates a double DFC system that provides a consistent flow of air at any depth, even when breathing simultaneously from both the primary second stage and the octopus. The simulator monitors how much effort is required to breathe, measuring the work of breathing in joules per liter (j/l). What are the best regulators for Scuba Diving? The purge cover, which takes up the whole front of the reg, is soft and rubbery, the breathing adjustment knob is a full inch in diameter and ringed with soft rubber, and the Venturi lever is one of the easiest to reach and operate weve used (and is clearly marked). Weight: INT 232 (oz/g): 27.9/790; DIN 300 (oz/g): 20.1/572. A medium-size second stage is made of ultralight techno-polymer. The NCC System increases cold water performance by creating a flow of water across the regulator. While theres a limited turn in the Venturi lever it proves to be quite adequate to prevent free flowing on the surface. The Compacts latest version maintains the trim profile of the second stage but pairs it with an environmentally sealed MC9- SC (for sealed chamber) first stage rated for cold-water use. Divers evaluated each regulator in 13 specific performance areas, assigning scores from 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor), and recording their observations and comments about factors that determine the comfort and performance of the reg while they were actually being used. The Core Supreme is rated for use in water 50 degrees below zero and comes with an environmentally sealed first stage. The key differences include how easy it is to breath under a variety of conditions and depths, does the regulator stay dry under a variety of conditions and positions and finally how comfortable is the regulator in different diving positions. It is the perfect go-anywhere reg for divers looking for simplicity and reliability at a price that wont bust the budget. The Venturi lever was effective, if a little stiff. Scuba Diving may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.