Good deal or bad deal?

[violakat03]

Been awhile since I've posted on here. My husband and I both lost our jobs last winter and it's too depressing to read about scuba when you're completely flat broke and it's snowing outside.

Anyway. Now that he's employed again and things are looking up, not to mention the warm weather is on the way, I'm getting back into scuba. I was at my LDS today and talked to one of the great guys there about my search for good but cheap used equipment. He's looking to get rid of his old reg and I'm wondering if it's a good deal or whether I should keep looking. It's in my price range and is the reg I wanted but had a feeling I'd never be able to afford.

It's an Aqualung Legend LX with sealed first stage. First and second stages only, no octo, no gauges, no computer. He bought it new in April of 06, has used it mostly in the pool (he's an instructor), but has also used it a handful of times at Gilboa Quarry in northern Ohio and on one liveaboard trip in the Bahamas. It's been serviced under warranty since new, and he would get it serviced for me one last time under warranty if I pay for the labor. He wants $300 for the set, and then I'd be paying an additional $40 for the service.

I'm also considering this one posted in the for sale ads:
Oceanic GT3, DVT, NIB

I prefer the Oceanic Delta over the GT3 but for $250 NIB, it's making me pause.

I told the guy with the Aqualung that I'd let him know by Wednesday whether I'd be buying it from him or not. Opinions? Suggestions?

[mitsuguy]

The Aqualung is definitely a nice regulator, but when you can buy many different new regs for the same or cheaper than that used reg, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me why do used...

even though it was under warranty while he had it, it will no longer be under warranty now that you have it, so this would be the last time parts were free... that matters to some, not so much to others...

personally, I'd shop on ST and find one in that price range that is a balanced diaphragm reg and be happy with that...

Here's a Mares for $199 Mares MR12 Rebel Regulator reviews and discounts, Mares

A Zeagle for $250 Zeagle Envoy Regulator reviews and discounts, Zeagle

If you want a good deal on a used reg, the Atmos Pro at $199 Used Aeris Atmos Pro Regulator Like New! reviews and discounts, Aeris

Those are just some options that would work great for you...

[Zenagirl]

Just MHO, but I would look at ScubaToys' website at new regulators. For example, you can get a brand new, under warranty, free parts for annual service, Zeagle Envoy Deluxe for $299.

The Envoy and Envoy Deluxe are two of the best regs ever tested by ScubaLab, and outperformed regs far more expensive. From personal experience, my husband's first reg was an Aqualung Legend LX and one day when we decided to switch regs, he was angry that he found my Envoy was a better breather than his Legend, at 1/2 the price. He has since switched to Zeagle regs as well.


PS. Hey Mitsuguy...guess GMTA!!

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by Zenagirl

PS. Hey Mitsuguy...guess GMTA!!

You know it!

[violakat03]

For the regs that have been suggested ... how do they perform in cold water? The water at Gilboa is usually around 55° below the thermocline in the summer and I want a reg that performs very well in cold water in case I'm in something colder.

I also want an environmentally sealed first stage and would prefer an adjustable first stage with a swivel hose (which is why I'd prefer a Delta over a GT3).

I have used an Aqualung Legend LX at Gilboa and found it to be slightly better than an older Oceanic Delta and far better than a lower-end ScubaPro reg.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by violakat03

For the regs that have been suggested ... how do they perform in cold water? The water at Gilboa is usually around 55° below the thermocline in the summer and I want a reg that performs very well in cold water in case I'm in something colder.

I also want an environmentally sealed first stage and would prefer an adjustable first stage with a swivel hose (which is why I'd prefer a Delta over a GT3).

I have used an Aqualung Legend LX at Gilboa and found it to be slightly better than an older Oceanic Delta and far better than a lower-end ScubaPro reg.

By design, all diaphragm regs are environmentally sealed... 55 degrees is not considered cold water. Cold water is water temps that are close to freezing, close enough so that air flowing through the reg could potentially cool it enough to make it freeze. No worries until you are below 40 degrees, and even then, it's still more like 35-38 degrees. There are some regs out there that go a step beyond and actually enclose the backside of the diaphragm, but to be honest, this is not needed unless doing some serious dirty water diving or ice diving where temps are 32 and below...

What do you mean when you say "adjustable first stage" The only adjustments on a 1st stage are the intermediate pressure adjustments, but those are set it and forget it things that come pre set from the manufacturer and are typically adjusted only when doing annual services. If you are really talking about an adjustable second stage, almost all regs have adjustable second stages anymore, even the entry level Tusa RS130 has an adjustment.

All of this being said, I have had my Tusa RS460 (which is essentially a Scubapro MK16/R390) down to 40m / 130 ft and it breathed as easy there as it does at 10m... The same reg has also been in 55 degree lake water with no issues either... It too is a balanced diaphragm regulator.

[in_cavediver]

Originally Posted by violakat03

For the regs that have been suggested ... how do they perform in cold water? The water at Gilboa is usually around 55° below the thermocline in the summer and I want a reg that performs very well in cold water in case I'm in something colder.

I also want an environmentally sealed first stage and would prefer an adjustable first stage with a swivel hose (which is why I'd prefer a Delta over a GT3).

I have used an Aqualung Legend LX at Gilboa and found it to be slightly better than an older Oceanic Delta and far better than a lower-end ScubaPro reg.

If it helps - I have personally used a zeagle envoy at the deep end of gilboa (120-130ish, 37-39 degree water temp) without issue. It wasn't even the environmentally sealed one either. I personally use a mix of Dive Rite and Zeagle regs - 4 of each. I personally like the Dive Rite 2nd stage a bit better but that is merely personal preference.

[violakat03]

cavediver - if you've had it in Gilboa then I should be fine with in Gilboa. However, the Zeagle Deluxe does not have a swivel hose (which is a preference but not a necessity) and I couldn't find one that's environmentally sealed. Do they make one?

mistuguy - by environmentally sealed I mean the kind if you forget to put the rubber boot/cover on, it won't damage the reg if it gets water in it. Like Oceanic's DVT: Oceanic Alpha 8 DVT Regulator reviews and discounts, Oceanic

Also, by adjustable I want one that you can adjust to how hard you have to breathe to get air through. I've used an adjustable and a non-adjustable and I liked being able to change it.

[IrishSquid]

Originally Posted by violakat03

cavediver - if you've had it in Gilboa then I should be fine with in Gilboa. However, the Zeagle Deluxe does not have a swivel hose (which is a preference but not a necessity) and I couldn't find one that's environmentally sealed. Do they make one?

mistuguy - by environmentally sealed I mean the kind if you forget to put the rubber boot/cover on, it won't damage the reg if it gets water in it. Like Oceanic's DVT: Oceanic Alpha 8 DVT Regulator reviews and discounts, Oceanic

Also, by adjustable I want one that you can adjust to how hard you have to breathe to get air through. I've used an adjustable and a non-adjustable and I liked being able to change it.

The Aeris Atmos Pro regulator that was previously mentioned has the 2nd stage adjustment you're looking for. I don't believe it has the DVT though. That is the Aeris AT 400. Prior to DVT, regs have survived without much problem. My regs are the AT 400 and Pro 2nd. I like them quite abit. I haven't seen the big benefit of the DVT yet, as I dry and boot the reg when I break down my gear as a habit/routine. Just get in a solid routine post-dive like your pre-dive and you shouldn't have a problem with putting the regs in water.

[violakat03]

I just figure it's like insurance. Hopefully I'll never need it, but just in case I'd rather have it.

I found the Oceanic GT3 for $300 on LeisurePro. If ST will price-match it, then I'm going to buy it new from ST. Even if they won't price match it, between the forum discount and my unused $10 gift card, it'll be within $5, so it still makes more sense to buy it new and get the warranty. There's 2 dive shops in my area that will service it, just not my normal LDS (they're an AL/SP only dealer) but oh well. Their loss.

I'm fairly certain I'll do the new Oceanic because it'd be the same price as the used AquaLung, has all the same features except the swivel hose, but will have the warranty.