Oceanic v. Oceanic

[moosicman]

What about these two regulators as a starting one?

Oceanic Alpha 8 Sport DVT
Oceanic Alpha 8 Sport Regulator

What are the differences and pros and cons and do forth?

and what about these in comparison to the mares r2 rebel...i've read the other post but it compared it to the tusa rs-130

[superkingkong]

if you are comparing between a DVT and a non-DVT,

a quote from Oceanic website

"DVT is a revolutionary regulator technology designed to automatically eliminate moisture and contaminants from entering your first stage, even if the dust cap is accidentally left off. DVT eliminates corrosion of critical internal components, bacteria, hose deterioration, and damaged gauges and computers"

[geoff127]

The the two Oceanic regs are the same second stages, but the first stages are slightly different. The DVT is useful if you'll be doing any cold water diving (under 45-ish degrees), diving in really "dirty" water (heavy particulate, nasty bacteria, etc.) or just want to ensure your first stage stays relatively clean and dry. The non-DVT version will allow contaminants and water in if you're not careful or dunk it in water without a tank/dust cap, and is more susceptible to freezing in cold water.

[keyshunter]

Originally Posted by geoff127

The the two Oceanic regs are the same second stages, but the first stages are slightly different. The DVT is useful if you'll be doing any cold water diving (under 45-ish degrees), diving in really "dirty" water (heavy particulate, nasty bacteria, etc.) or just want to ensure your first stage stays relatively clean and dry. The non-DVT version will allow contaminants and water in if you're not careful or dunk it in water without a tank/dust cap, and is more susceptible to freezing in cold water.

Sorry Geoff, but the DVT closes off the first stage inlet when it is not on a tank, and NOTHING else. It has no effect on reg's cold or dirty water capabilities.

[geoff127]

Originally Posted by keyshunter

Sorry Geoff, but the DVT closes off the first stage inlet when it is not on a tank, and NOTHING else. It has no effect on reg's cold or dirty water capabilities.

Sorry, I'm an idiot. I was thinking DVT with environmental protection, not just DVT.

[Tableleg]

Looking at the two different listings on the ST website, the only thing different between the Alpha 8 Sport and the Alpha 8 DVT are the 1st stage.

The 'Sport' is equipped with a SP-5 unbalanced piston type and the 'DVT' has a px-3 balanced piston type. In a nutshell, the effort it takes to breath varies as the pressure in the tank decreases in an unbalanced first stage and the effort it takes to breath remains constant throughout almost the whole tank with a balanced first stage. (For more info on regulators: check this out.) That's all the price difference is paying for. They both have the DVT feature (which you can't find a non-dvt first stage from Oceanic anymore) so that's not really a deciding factor.

I personally got the Oceanic GT3 with the overbalanced diaphragm type of first stage. I'd highly recommend this package for $20 more if it's within your price range because it sure is a sweet breather!

I actually have an Alpha 8 as my octo and it breaths better than some rental regulators I had to use before getting my own gear but you know you're breathing though a regulator with this thing. The GT3 is just like breathing above water. There really is no comparison.

I don't know about compairing these regs to the others because I've never tried those, but I hope this answered your question about the Oceanics!

[superkingkong]

the alpha 8 is designed to perform to the U.S. Navy's Class A standards at 198 feet .. and based on the scubadiving review, it performs better than GT3...? 2005's Best New Breathers - Scuba Diving Magazine

[Tableleg]

After reading through that review and looking over the results chart I don't understand why the Alpha 8 got a better rating than the GT3 other than it's cheaper?

Looking at the numbers (which the GT3 matched the Alpha 8 in all of them exect for the 'Dry' category [which I don't even understand what that means; I've never had a problem with water getting into my second stage because the exaust ports are covered with rubber flaps]) and the features (unbalanced vs. mechanically, non adjustable vs. adjustable) personally I see the GT3 in a higher position than the Alpha 8.

Acording to this, they both breath the same. Which I suppose if you were adjust the GT3 to breath just like the Alpha8, that would be true. But it was the fact that I could make my breathing easier with the GT3 made it my secondary of choice.

I think they sum it up well in the beginning of the article:

Originally Posted by www.Scubadiving.com

But here's the best part: Our tests show all of these regs offer superior breathing performance within the bounds of recreational diving. And based on test diver feedback, this group of regs is among the most user-friendly we've ever tested.

You can't really go wrong with either. Thanks for finding that article superkingkong. Though I don't agree with some of their logic, it's cool to see a side by side review of this stuff!

[superkingkong]

Originally Posted by Tableleg

After reading through that review and looking over the results chart I don't understand why the Alpha 8 got a better rating than the GT3 other than it's cheaper?

Looking at the numbers (which the GT3 matched the Alpha 8 in all of them exect for the 'Dry' category [which I don't even understand what that means; I've never had a problem with water getting into my second stage because the exaust ports are covered with rubber flaps]) and the features (unbalanced vs. mechanically, non adjustable vs. adjustable) personally I see the GT3 in a higher position than the Alpha 8.

Acording to this, they both breath the same. Which I suppose if you were adjust the GT3 to breath just like the Alpha8, that would be true. But it was the fact that I could make my breathing easier with the GT3 made it my secondary of choice.

I think they sum it up well in the beginning of the article:

You can't really go wrong with either. Thanks for finding that article superkingkong. Though I don't agree with some of their logic, it's cool to see a side by side review of this stuff!

You're welcome, Tableleg.
Personally, one would think that the GT3 is more superior from the Alpha 8, based on the features and price. But when i went through this article, i was amazed on the performance of alpha 8 sport cheap and good

[Tableleg]

Originally Posted by superkingkong

You're welcome, Tableleg.
Personally, one would think that the GT3 is more superior from the Alpha 8, based on the features and price. But when i went through this article, i was amazed on the performance of alpha 8 sport cheap and good

I'm not pulling your leg when I say that my Alpha 8 I use as my octo breaths much easier than all the rentals that I had to use before this setup. It's a pleasure to have it connected to my chest if ever the case that someone needs it. Heck, I plan on getting one of those inflator octos here in the near future with my GCs (woot 250+ posts!) and my Alpha 8 will probably get a new first stage then get put onto my pony bottle when I get it.

But IMHO the GT3 blows it out of the water for it's balanced design and the fact it's adjustable. That doesn't make the Alpha 8 any less good.

And the proper word here is inexpensive. Cheap refers to the quality, which should no longer be in question.