Sherwood Maximus vs. the world

[pollywog]

Hey guys,
I'm still fairly new to diving, and I'm in the process of getting my own equipment. I'm looking at getting a primary now. I have been looking around and I really like the Sherwood Maximus. My instructor recommended it to me, and I respect his opinion, so that's one point for it. I like the moisture fins and the swivel design, as well as the elongated tee-exhaust to keep the bubbles out of your face. I have seen it from about $350-$475. Even though I'm a newbie to this(and a broke-ass college student), I don't mind spending money on the equipment that will keep me alive at depth. I was wondering if anybody had any input on the Maximus as well as differing opinions on other regs that might be good. I mainly dive in FL, so most of my dives are warm water, but some cold water dives might be in my future.Obviously, it needs to be nitrox compatible. I am getting my AOW cert, so I need something that will grow with me into the wrecks, caves, and caverns. Thanks, guys!

[PlatypusMan]

I dive the Maximus. I like it.

Bought mine from ST in 05, and it's still going strong.

PPM

[chicken]

Have you considered a small, not so well known company, in Florida called Zeagle? I hadn't heard of them either and after trying a Envoy deluxe I was sold. I even bought one of their BC's. The customer service is excellent and thier regulators come with parts for life. As long as they are in business I will buy their products, good stuff, great service, and value for the money.

[rox@ucf11]

well I think any regulator will do you just fine, Id go Dive Rite personally I have a couple of Dive Rites and I really like them to be honest theres a ton of manufaturers out there that are pretty much all good!

benefit to Dive Rite they are based in Florida Ft. White I think so service shouldnt be a problem, can do your service yourself if you want, manuals are freely given by them, which is not common with other manufaturers parts are also sold freely again not common, and they have a 2 yr service interval vs a more common 1 yr service interval with other companys regs

[in_cavediver]

The sherwood is a 'workhorse' reg. They are know for durability and function but not super high performance.

Other choices - Zeagle. A nice company and you can talk to Scott Zeagle on the forums here. Look at the envoy. Dive Rite - yet anther Florida company based in Lake City. Dive Rite is better known in the tec circles but has some excellent regs as well. The 2500/3000 and hurricane are excellent choices.

For a comparison - my first reg was a sherwood blizzard (cold water version of the oasis and maximus). My next 4 were zeagles. A DS4, Flathead 6 and (2) envoys. The next 3 regs have been the Dive Rite 2500 with the last being the hurricane. I actively use the Dive Rite 2500 and flathead 6 (doubles). My wife uses the Hurricane and DS4 (doubles). The 2 envoys are our stage regs and (2) 2500's as 02 regs. The lone spare is the sherwood.

For the money - I'd go either Dive Rite or Zeagle.

[DMWiz]

Originally Posted by chicken

Have you considered a small, not so well known company, in Florida called Zeagle?

I'd go with a Zeagle from ST as well, nothing against Sherwood it's just better value as far as I'm concerned. +1 for The Envoy Deluxe.

Wiz

[Splitlip]

West Palm!

ScubaPro #1. USD or Mares #2. Zeagle or Oceanic #3. Sherwood, no way.

Look hard at Scubapro.

(buy local)

Companies above all may make decent products. But for me service is a consideration. Locally, best success for me has been with the Subapros.

[rox@ucf11]

does your instructor sell sherwood?

[rawalker]

I've used a Maximus and it a a very good reg and considered a great cold water performer.
I prefer my Oceanic Delta 4 FDX10 and it should be priced similarly and also is adjustable and cold water rated like the Maximus.

[pollywog]

No, rox, my instructor does not sell Sherwood.He doesn't sell any equipment. He is a Navy trained diver with instructor certs in NAUI and PADI, he chooses to teach NAUI because he feels its safer, more thorugh, and has less concentration on marketing and sales. I defer to his opinion on many things because of his experience and knowledge. So, you know, I look hard at the equipment he uses, and I like to quiz him on why he picked this or that particular piece of equipment. One thing I have heard about Sherwood is that , to a certain extent, minor repairs and tweakings can be done by the diver at the site, whereas I have seen some dives scrapped because this guys reg is leaking, or free-flowing, and they don't have a spare.As i said, I've only heard that from one or two guys, so I don't know how much truth there is to that. I am open to any input, good, bad, or otherwise. I just really like to do my homework as thoroughly as possible before investing that much money. Thanks for the input, guys, and thank you in advance for future input.