Need a good regulator setup for the wife

[Z06Boricua]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping someone can help me out. I pretty much have my own gear purchased and on the way or picked out, so I'd like to focus on the wife. We're brand new to the sport, and we're going to definitely start out easy, but I know I will eventually move over to the more technical side. The wife has also expressed interest in going the technical route in the future, so I'd like to spend a little extra than normal for a basic, first regulator.

I'd like to find her a good, reliable, easy breathing reg setup that will last a long time and will be suitable for recreational warm water as well as more technical stuff in the future. I've been looking at the Oceanic Alpha 8 along with an Alpha8 octo, as it seems like a good compromise between cost and quality.

I'm all ears, err eyes, so hit me with your best recommendations!

Thanks,
Jose

[CODMAN]

Personally, I'm partial to Mares regs and I'd go with a Mares Abyss MR22... It's a "bomb proof" reg more than suitable to advanced technical diving. You definetly wouldn't need to upgrade if you go that path... If you are more budget limited, there is an ABYSS MR12 (different 1st stage). Not as technical oriented (the MR22 1st stage is world renowned in the technical realm), but certainly enough to dable in it a bit and definetly cheaper...

There are many other brands out there with good regs for your purpose. I just shared on what I know and would use.

Hope this helps!

[rawalker]

For real bomb proof you need to go to Sherwood they exceed any other manufacturer on longevity tests.
From that standpoint the only Sherwood that I haven't seen a test report on is the newest the SR-1 the other models all tie with top honors second to no other brand.
That said I have a Sherwood Oasis that is simple, breaths comfortably and has had no issues. I loaned my gear to my wife for her OW and she now claims it as hers.
I just yesterday purchased a replacement for myself. a Oceanic Delta 4 FDX10. It's far more advanced design with a surface switch and adjustable flow. My instructor likes it and has his own. It is well reviewed but even with a discount that brought down to $390 it's a lot more than an Alpha 8. I did have my Eye on a Cressi Titanium for $259 that seem sweet for the money but I prefer manufacturers that stand by their product longer. Both Sherwood and Oceanic have 2 year warrantys while Cressi is only 1 year.

[Martin2]

I love my Atomic and got a great deal buying them used from my instructor. They can be expensive though. If you can get some pool time to let her try some different brands out, that might be best.

[mm_dm]

I like Zeagle regs...I'm particularly fond of the Zeagle Flatheads. I'm about to buy yet another Zeagle reg to round out my collection. Maybe then I'll finally get a Christmas card from those people

[ianr33]

Originally Posted by Z06Boricua

Need a good regulator setup for the wife

That would be a good trade.


Cant go wrong with Apeks. DS4 or DST first stage. ATX50 second stages.
Fairly cheap,reasonably simple,bombproof, good enough for any dive.

[fireflock]

Atomic Z2 has a lot of performance for the money and will take you a long ways. People will talk about Nitrox and how the M1 is the tech reg from Atomic, but how often will your back gas be some high FO2?

Zeagle Flathead or DS-V would be my second choice (or if you prefer diaphragm to piston).

[Z06Boricua]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I'm currently waiting for a very slightly used Atomic Z2 setup for myself, and from what I've read, Atomic makes some pretty awesome stuff. Unfortunately it's not very feasible for her to try different regs out here, so we're forced to go on the words of experts like you.

Jose

[wolfen42]

I'm not claiming to be an expert, but the Alpha 8 combo that Scubatoys is selling with a CDX-5 first stage would give you some good flexibility. The CDX-5 will let you handle cold water diving if you wish and you can put whatever second stage your wife likes best on there. My wife is very happy with her CDX-5 first stage and GT3 second stage setup.

[rawalker]

I was also looking at the GT3 w/ CDX5 for $270 in comparison to a Sherwood Blizzard or Oasis
I just decided the Delta 4 was a lot more reg for the price I paid