Lightest Travel Reg???

[WaScubaDude]

I am thinking of dropping some serious $$ on two new travel regs. If cost is no object, but quality is, what is the best travel rig you can dream up?

I was thinking of the Mares Carbon 42. The 2nd stage sounds like the lightest and very good breather, but I was wondering if there is a lighter 1st stage?
Maybe:
Mares Carbon 42 2nd stages
Titanium first stages
Miflex hoses

?????Any thoughts?

[Straegen]

AquaLung Micron series would be on the list I would think if light and pack-ability were the top priorities. Both will save about a pound and I think with the right hose both would pack down pretty well.

[CompuDude]

Definitely a go on the Miflex hoses. They're noticeably lighter than rubber hoses and pack a LOT smaller.

The AL Micron gets a lot of billing as one of the lightest regs made, but it also gets some complaints about serious bubble interference as well. So you need to decide first, what's the most important feature to you, light weight, best performance (which may not be as light) or a compromise... and if a compromise, would you prefer weighted towards performance or towards pure weight/size? Ironically, some of the cheapest-made, most mediocre-performing regs on the market are also among the lightest, since they're simply made from cheap, lightweight plastic.

For more performance in a price-is-no-object setting, I'd look to the Atomic T2x (titanium) regs over the AL Microns, because they're both very lightweight AND possibly the best performing regs on the market. Just don't expect to use them for technical diving since they're not safe to use with Nitrox concentrations above recreational mixes. (40% max, and even that's pushing it, IMO)

[Straegen]

Pure speculation, but the Sherwood MK25/S600T might be a choice. Haven't seen it in person though so can't vouch for the compactness or weight.

[hooligan]

Originally Posted by Straegen

Pure speculation, but the Sherwood MK25/S600T might be a choice. Haven't seen it in person though so can't vouch for the compactness or weight.

I think you mean ScubaPro....

[WaScubaDude]

I own a ScubaPro Mk25 s600 and I would not call it light by todays standards. The first stage may rank in the lighter than some regs but over all I think it's pretty heavy. I think SP makes a titanium mk25...that should be light.

[oddbod]

Originally Posted by CompuDude

Definitely a go on the Miflex hoses. They're noticeably lighter than rubber hoses and pack a LOT smaller.

The AL Micron gets a lot of billing as one of the lightest regs made, but it also gets some complaints about serious bubble interference as well. So you need to decide first, what's the most important feature to you, light weight, best performance (which may not be as light) or a compromise... and if a compromise, would you prefer weighted towards performance or towards pure weight/size?

I have got the original US Divers Micra, have used it for over 20 years, as with it's replacement the Micron it has the bubble "interference" too, due to the shortness of the exhaust tee. Swapping now between it and an XTX 50, I really do not notice any difference. If you were used to a Posiedent? with it's side exhaust the bubbles tickling your chin could definiteley be annoying. The onle time I found it a problem was with an old UW camera viewfinder, I don't have the problem now with digital (except I now need glasses to see the screen).

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by WaScubaDude

I own a ScubaPro Mk25 s600 and I would not call it light by todays standards. The first stage may rank in the lighter than some regs but over all I think it's pretty heavy. I think SP makes a titanium mk25...that should be light.

That would be the MK25t/S600t mentioned above...

MK25T/S600T - SCUBAPRO-UWATEC

Definitely also good regs. I prefer the Atomics by a hair, but they're both great...

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by oddbod

I have got the original US Divers Micra, have used it for over 20 years, as with it's replacement the Micron it has the bubble "interference" too, due to the shortness of the exhaust tee. Swapping now between it and an XTX 50, I really do not notice any difference. If you were used to a Posiedent? with it's side exhaust the bubbles tickling your chin could definiteley be annoying. The onle time I found it a problem was with an old UW camera viewfinder, I don't have the problem now with digital (except I now need glasses to see the screen).

I'm just spoiled by the extended exhaust Ts available for the Atomic regs and the ScubaPro regs.

[diversteve]

The T2X. Qualifies for the serious coin part also $1549. I love my T2, it breathes equally well in any position, stays dry in any position and is I believe one of - if not the lightest on the market at 1.8 lbs for 1st/2nd stage with hose. With the 2nd stage swivel and the turret on the first stage, it's very easy to configure with zero jaw fatigue.