I'd like a little information to help .....

[bent]

I'd like a little information to help me figure out what regulator would best suit me. I do plan to do some tech diving later, so I'd to invest in something that doesn't need to be upgraded. I hear that DIN is the way to go, but I've never heard why. If you know of some good websites, then please post them here so I can learn more about tech regs. I want to get a wide range of possibilities, then I'll slowly narrow them down.

Thanks,

Marcus

[db83]

When I bought my regulator, I specifically asked for the DIN interface and bought a yolk adapter seperately. I remember hearing from my dive instructor that DIN valves are more popular internationally. I'm not sure if this is the case any more. Also, I believe all high pressure tanks use the DIN interface as well.

[Tassie Diver]

Wow, you should get a lot of mileage out of this! Everyone will likely have their own opinion and want to share...

My 2c worth, in no particular order...

1. DIN - higher pressure rating (300bar), more secure seal (try undoing under pressure to see what I mean).

2. EASY BREATHING - probably most important of all. If you can't breath easily, the reg's a waste of time.

3. RELIABLE - avoid the bells and whistles. Get a workhorse and it will last a long time. Titanium/carbon/various acronyms might be impressive on the surface, but reliability is more important in the long run.

4. EASY/CHEAP TO SERVICE - if you're into getting regs serviced, this is worth researching. Some service kits are cheap and easy to fit, others will cost you almost as much as a new reg (slight exaggeration).

5. SEALED/UNSEALED/COLD WATER KIT - depends on where you dive. If you're likely to get crap in your reg, sealed. If it's freezing cold, get a cold water kit. If you're diving temperate or warm water and you can see more than a few metres, an unsealed regular reg will be fine.

6. BRAND NAME - if you buy a well respected and well known brand, it should come with its own dealer/service network spread around the world. Buy an el-cheapo no-name brand and you'll probably need to buy a new reg instead of parts, should the need arise.

[Tekdivr]

All of my regs are DIN and I use an adapter when attaching to a standard tank valve. Attaching a DIN reg to a Din valve eliminates some common failure points, especially when doing overhead diving. The chances of an encapulated o-ring leaking are slim and knocking it loose are even slimmer. I would recommend a sealed first stage,regardless of diving conditions. Even if your thing isn't cold water diving, the sealed reg remains much cleaner inside over it's lifespan. I personally recommend Apeks regs, due to their simplistic, rugged, design. I use the DS4 first stage and XTX 50 second stage. Both are very rugged, reasonalby priced, good hose routing and will carry you through any diving you end up persuing.
Apeks Products

[Flatliner]

Best deal currently available is the Zeagle Flathead VI from ST. Superb reg. I have 2 that I paid WAY more than the current price for. Great regs.

[CompuDude]

There are lots of specific reasons why DIN is preferred to Yoke (NOT YOLK) for 1st stage connections, a few of which Tekdivr hit already.

If you're planning to go to tech diving, however, whether you agree with the reasons is irrelevant, you'll have to have DIN. Tech diving means doubles. All doubles manifolds, except certain VERY obsolete "vintage" models, are made for DIN, so unless you want to buy new regs, you'll need DIN for tech diving.

(There's sidemount, which technically you could use Yoke for, but (a) that's a very separate proposition, (b) usually sidemount is not an option for new tech divers until backmount has been thoroughly learned anyway, and (c) most sidemount divers use DIN even though they could use Yoke if they really wanted.)

[Tekdivr]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

There are lots of specific reasons why DIN is preferred to Yoke (NOT YOLK) for 1st stage connections, a few of which Tekdivr hit already.

If you're planning to go to tech diving, however, whether you agree with the reasons is irrelevant, you'll have to have DIN. Tech diving means doubles. All doubles manifolds, except certain VERY obsolete "vintage" models, are made for DIN, so unless you want to buy new regs, you'll need DIN for tech diving.

(There's sidemount, which technically you could use Yoke for, but (a) that's a very separate proposition, (b) usually sidemount is not an option for new tech divers until backmount has been thoroughly learned anyway, and (c) most sidemount divers use DIN even though they could use Yoke if they really wanted.)

Don't forget that there are threaded inserts for doubles to convert the valves over to yoke, but I wouldn't recommend it. Kinda taking a step backwards if you do that. This also refers to LP steels only. HP's are strickly a DIN connection.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by Tekdivr

Don't forget that there are threaded inserts for doubles to convert the valves over to yoke, but I wouldn't recommend it. Kinda taking a step backwards if you do that. This also refers to LP steels only. HP's are strickly a DIN connection.

I see a lot more 300 bar manifolds than 200 bar. (230?) But yeah... that's just a BAD idea.

[db83]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Yoke (NOT YOLK)

Wow, I actually typed yolk. I was having an egg with my dinner as I typed that response. LOL.

[frozenwarp]

If you have interest i tech diving i wouldnt even bother with yoke, for the following reasons:

1. DIN is more secure and allows for higher pressure usage
2. DIN has a captured O'ring which decreases the chance of a blown o'ring, and just loosing an oring
3. Yoke with the turn wheel at the back represents a entanglment hazard and in its high position the posibility of sheering it off completely if in an overhead environment.
4. also as metioned before manifolds tend to come designed for din
5. If you rock up to a site in full tech gear with yokes on your manifold there is the likely chance you will be laughed out of the place

my last 2 c buy a high quality proven regulator from a reputable brand, im partial to scubapro mk25's but many other brands make some great regs.

good luck,