Sherwood SR1 vs. Zeagle Flathead 6

[pollywog]

Hey Everybody,
I'm about to buy my first primary reg. I've been doing alot of homework, and I've gotten it narrowed down to two.Sherwood SR1 or the Zeagle Flathead 6. They both cost the same, so that's no issue. I just want to hear what people think about these 2. Just these two regulators please, I know both companies have solid reputations and loyal followers, but I just want to hear about these two. Thanks alot, everyone.
-Pollywogg

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by pollywog

Hey Everybody,
I'm about to buy my first primary reg. I've been doing alot of homework, and I've gotten it narrowed down to two.Sherwood SR1 or the Zeagle Flathead 6. They both cost the same, so that's no issue. I just want to hear what people think about these 2. Just these two regulators please, I know both companies have solid reputations and loyal followers, but I just want to hear about these two. Thanks alot, everyone.
-Pollywogg

Both are top of the line models from the companies (and the flathead 6 is on fire sale due to the release of the flathead 7). I'd learn to the zeagle due to the proven record. (that and I own 4 zeagle, of which one is a flathead 6). I also have a sherwood blizzard which is a lesser reg but is still a bulletproof reg.

Sherwoods have the reputation as workhorse regs who don't top performance charts - they simply always work. Zeagles have a higher performance reputation and are used by many tec divers. I think they are just as reliable as a sherwood but they aren't seen as often in rental fleets. Scott Zeagle is also available on the forums here so yet another nod for Zeagle.

Best part though - you'll be happy with either one.

[mac]

I am also looking into buying my first primary and was looking at the Zeagle Flathead VI. The manager at my local dive shop claimed that Zeagle regs "don't breathe good" and after "servicing many of them" would recommend that I not purchase a Zeagle regulator. He also went on to say that Mares was a much better choice. I've heard otherwise from some divers. Any thoughts on this?

[fireflock]

Originally Posted by mac

I am also looking into buying my first primary and was looking at the Zeagle Flathead VI. The manager at my local dive shop claimed that Zeagle regs "don't breathe good" and after "servicing many of them" would recommend that I not purchase a Zeagle regulator. He also went on to say that Mares was a much better choice. I've heard otherwise from some divers. Any thoughts on this?

Let me guess.....He sells Mares and not Zeagle?

If so, I'd buy elsewhere just on principle. I own a low end Mares and a mid-range Zeagle. They're both fine regs and do the job I bought them to do. Overall I like the Zeagle better. It also cost a little more (but still not that much..DS-V).

Most regs these days perform just fine for the average diver. A reg that doesn't feel right in more likely to be adjusted wrong than it is to be inadequate.

A lot of it boils down to personal preference. Maybe you can try both?

Rich

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by mac

I am also looking into buying my first primary and was looking at the Zeagle Flathead VI. The manager at my local dive shop claimed that Zeagle regs "don't breathe good" and after "servicing many of them" would recommend that I not purchase a Zeagle regulator. He also went on to say that Mares was a much better choice. I've heard otherwise from some divers. Any thoughts on this?

Pure BS.

I can personally attest the the breathing of Dive Rite and Zeage regs down to 200' and also to their serviceability and parts availability. MY personal regs on my doubles/sidemounts are a Dive Rite 2500 and Zeagle Flathead 6. I buy the rebuild kits for ST and you can download the manuals there as well. It takes me about an hour wall clock time to clean/inspect/rebuild the 2nd stage to my standard. (includes 15-20 minutes of soak, ultrasonic cleaning and dry time). I can do 3-4 2nds in 2 hours wall clock time easy (ask me how I know....). The firsts are just as easy/straightforward.

In case people wonder, we have 9 regs, 4 Zeagles, 4 Dive Rites and 1 sherwood. Both my wife and I use a Dive Rite as the primary reg and a Zeagle as the secondary reg (doubles/sidemount).


I've not used the Mares regs personally and not seen them in the circles where I dive/hang out - fins yes, regs no. (cave divers mostly) Take that for what its worth though.

[Zenagirl]

I have to second the remark that Zeagles "not breathing well" is total BS. I've been diving a Zeagle Envoy for 5 years and it breathes as well at 133' as it does at 13'....and yes, I've tested it. It was a FAR better breather and far more reliable than my husband's Aqualung Legend, which was over twice the price. He now dives a Zeagle Flathead IV after realizing that he could get better performance and reliability by diving a Zeagle.

Anyone who says Zeagles aren't good performing regulators should first (at least) read ScubaLab testing results, which (for example) gives the Envoy a PERFECT score, outperforming some regs 3x more expensive.

[mm_dm]

Originally Posted by Zenagirl

Anyone who says Zeagles aren't good performing regulators should first (at least) read ScubaLab testing results, which (for example) gives the Envoy a PERFECT score, outperforming some regs 3x more expensive.

Or, you could just trust the US Navy, who gave the Flatheads their highest mark a few years back. Not like anything changed with the reg since then.

[keyshunter]

Zenagirl,
The Zeagle is a fine reg, but so is the AL Legend. I am curious about the tests you used to prove that the Zeagle is "a far better breather, and far more reliable" than the Legend. Perhaps Scubalab, which rates them both at the top, could use your expertise.

[Zenagirl]

Originally Posted by keyshunter

Zenagirl,
The Zeagle is a fine reg, but so is the AL Legend. I am curious about the tests you used to prove that the Zeagle is "a far better breather, and far more reliable" than the Legend. Perhaps Scubalab, which rates them both at the top, could use your expertise.

If you read my post you'll see that the quote is actually about MY HUSBAND's Aqualung Legend. From the day we got it, HIS Legend had a constant adjustment creep that would cause the regulator to freeflow by the end of a week of diving. Yes, it was rebuilt more than once, yes it happened whether the reg had been serviced right before or not, and yes, we had more than one technician work on it. My Envoy (and his Flathead) has never had a freeflow problem, has never had an adjusmtent creep or problem, and has worked flawlessly from the day I got it out of the box

As far as being a "better breather", again I was referring to the personal comparison between my Envoy and MY HUSBAND's Legend. We traded one time and we were both stunned at how much better of a breather the Envoy was FOR US compared to his Legend. He wanted to trade permanently, I refused and instead we bought him a Flathead and got rid of the Legend.

You certainly could have left off the jerkwad remark at the end of your post. It's totally unnecessary as all you have to do is post YOUR opinion like I did without the rudeness.

[skdvr]

I am interested in trying the SR1 personally, but not for what it costs. There have been problems with the Environmental seal bursting. The reg still works fine just that you lose the Enviro seal. I am sure that they probably have that problem fixed by now though.

If I was going to decide between the two I would personnaly buy the Zeagle. Espically since there is a sweet deal on the Flathead 6. I was seriously throwing around the idea of buying at least one of them for my doubles, but I just do not want to spend the money right now.

I personally have never used any Zeagle reg, but I hear good things about them all the time, and I would not hesitate to buy one.

Phil