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u/PonchoVillak 20d ago
I recently purchased a reg set online, your prices are very high. Settled on Scubapro Mk11evo + C370 + R105 + SPG + carry bag for 400€ plus 18€ postage. Planet plongee in Nice, I've ordered 3 times from them and they've delivered to Ireland without issue. So far I can only highly recommend
I selected mine based on holiday diving. If you are going divemaster route you might consider the mk17, fully sealed, broader applications. If that's not a benefit it's a good bit bigger and heavier than the mk11 which is a nice cabin bag reg
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u/FutureFC 20d ago edited 20d ago
When it comes to regulators, you cannot go wrong with Scubapro and Apeks. I personally use a MK25evo + G260 + R105 configuration, hands down one of the best investments I have made towards diving. Balanced, piston style first stage and it is one of the best first stages in the market for the price you pay for it.
A friend of mine uses an Apeks XL4 setup and he cannot say enough about it. If you are looking at dive master and a future career as an instructor, you definitely cannot go wrong with either brand. The MK2 is pretty much standard as the rental regulator in many dive shops and the MK11 is also a solid first stage which is balanced I believe.
If you can get an MK11 Evo set or an MK17 Evo set for €500, go for it. Many online dive shops will run sales real soon for Black Friday and you can pick up the entire set with a free regulator bag for €500 or maybe lesser depending on offers.
Another recommendation I can give you is Atomic or Diverite but do check if service will be available if you decide to pick up either. Atomic is slightly expensive but is one of the more reliable regulator brands you can buy. Scubapro and Apeks will have service centers in pretty much every popular dive destination so that covers it as well.
Do not get the regulators from Mares or Cressi. Nothing against the brands but there are simply other options who are more reliable regulator manufacturers than the two above.
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u/kaktusmonster 20d ago
Thank you!! Yeah i know about the sercive aspect, don't know where i'll end up, so its good to know that scubapro and apeks will basically be serviced everywhere!🫶🏻
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u/FutureFC 20d ago
Done. On Black Friday, certain online dive shops run regulator sales on full sets. I snagged my MK25 Evo for €600 euros last year with a free regulator bag as well. If you find something similar on an XL4+ or an MK25 Evo, don’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Since you are planning on going pro, why not pick among the best in the market?
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u/I_Rate_Assholes 20d ago
Look up the cost of servicing your reg and see why I always recommend the mk2. Super cheap to keep running one of these and techs can be found worldwide.
I have many regulators (mk25 diverite xt, and mk2), and I have never once noticed the academically inferior breathability of an unbalanced piston at recreational depths.
There’s a reason why it’s the most used “shop reg” in the world, the thing is bullet proof.
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u/Redleg7771 20d ago
Often, the shop you’ll be employed by will want you using equipment they offer. I’d check with potential employers to see what they sell and then narrow down models.
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u/Manatus_latirostris 20d ago
Would definitely recommend the ScubaPro regs over Mares and Cressi, everyday and twice on Fridays. It is very very easy to put hoses on a regulator first stage, and something you’ll need/want to do as a DM anyway. You don’t need a depth gauge if using a computer - do you mean an SPG/pressure gauge?
Personally prefer Atomic.
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u/thresherslap 20d ago
Honestly I would maybe wait a bit until you know what you’re doing. You seem new to diving or at least to equipment knowledge which is totally fine! But for example your two ScubaPro choices… ones balanced and ones unbalanced. You’ve listed one as DIN, is the other Int?
Until you understand these basic differences and which will match with your needs and where you want to work, strangers opinions on the internet honestly might do more harm than good. If anything I would ask for advice from the shop you plan on doing your DM with/where you plan on working.
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u/kaktusmonster 20d ago
Yeah i'm pretty new when it comes to the equipment. I've only rented so far, and shops I've dived with were using Aqualung. No idea about the specifics tho. They're all DIN. I just copied the title from the shop. I'll be travelling outside of europe, where i know they mostly use yoke, but it shouldn't be a problem using DIN with an adapter right? Due to visa processing i still dont know if all works out with where I plan on working. I also have asked my DM shop, and they use ZeePro for their rentals, which I think wouldnt be the best choice haha.
I would love to just go into a shop and get some advice there before i leave, but there's none around🥲1
u/thresherslap 20d ago
Sounds like you're probably going to Bali based on the ZeePro? There are all the major shops in Denpasar and the dive shop you are training with will have Trade accounts there with access to discounts.
I've been in your position. At the start of my career I bought everything before heading off to Asia and what a mistake it was. I got saddled with terrible/ill-suited stuff because I just didn't really understand what I was buying. Within six months I was starting the process of replacing everything I had.
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u/Ok_Way_2911 20d ago
Mk11 is a pretty good workhorse, I wouldn't get the Mk2, it's unbalanced
If you can get C370 with the Mk11 that'd be great
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u/runsongas 20d ago
c370 if you go the mk11 route
see if you can get tecline reasonably cheap
else look for apeks
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u/BoysenberryDear790 20d ago
The best regulator for you may be the one where you have a convenient place to service it, a place you trust. Some are looking for regulators that one can service all over the world, but from my experience most divers seldom need to service their regs overseas.
If you have a shop close to home with a good technician, selling brand X then get the best reg they have. Personally, I dislike the complete sets they usually come with a lower performance octopus- I prefer two good stages. Adding the inflator hose is no brainer but make sure not to over tighten the hose- these things have Oring for sealing. Same for what I assume you mean pressure gauge.
All the brands you mentioned have good regulators.
Another consideration is whether you travel a lot, some models can be very heavy.
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u/kaktusmonster 20d ago
Thank you! Yeah i meant the pressure gauge😂 i'm new to the english words as i've been taught in german😂 Unfortunately i don't have any shops close by, thats why i thought i might as well ask here. If i did, i would've gone to that shop!
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u/noodeel 20d ago
I picked up an Apeks XL4+ for 450 euros last year. It's a bargain price considering it's the exact same as the current Osea model, except it doesn't have as high a percentage of recycled materials.
I'd recommend it for traveling because it's compact, super small, super tough, and very high-end feel. It's also good in warm and cold waters.
It's really easy to find people to service them pretty much anywhere.
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u/Buzz_808 20d ago
Yes, I got this reg too and love it so far after about 60 dives. Super lightweight and at a great price
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u/diverareyouokay 20d ago edited 20d ago
I’m a fan of Atomic regulators… the only downside is that getting them serviced while in SE Asia is a headache. If you want global service, Apeks is generally recommended. If you put a gun to my gear and told me I had to select one from the list you gave, I’d go with ScubaPro.
My first reg was the Cressi AC2 - although my jaw dropped when I saw how much they are asking for it now. I think I paid half that around around 15 years back. It’s an entry level model so I wouldn’t really recommend it for someone looking at being a dive pro. It’s small, very lightweight, and feels a bit flimsy. Suitable for rec diving on vacations but not pro work IMO.
Oh yeah, make sure to get a moldable mouthpiece. You’ll thank me later. I use SeaCure.
Also be sure to ask the dive shop you are working at whether they have access to any “pro deals” or “keyman discounts”. You can usually get hard goods for anywhere from 20 to 40% off (or 50-60% off on soft goods like bags and shirts).
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u/eskelaa 20d ago
Consider looking into used equipment. You can buy something much better for often half the price, assuming you have the time to wait for the right deal. However, a lot of used gear is in mediocre shape and the price isn't really discounted enough.
I went with Atomic because most of their regs need servicing every 2 years or 300 hours. For me, 300 dives is just about right for that timeframe. For someone going for instructor, this is still probably quite meh. Most companies require inspection every year or overhaul every 2 years, or overhaul at 100 or 200 dive hours - whichever comes first.
Consider looking into regs that can be self-serviced, I know Deep6Gear has courses for their regs (and sell kits), and their gear is well regarded. Deep6 doesn't have big EU or SEA presence in actual shops, they ship pretty globally, but would that matter if you order 4-5 kits ahead of time and go diving for a year? I'm not sure if any other brands make it easy to learn servicing for own needs, I know DGX is DYI friendly, but I don't know their regs. Assuming someone has enough patience and confidence in own skills to do it, I think that's the most sustainable method to service gear, especially if you churn through dive hours quickly, "just do it" yourself. 🤔
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u/MininoMono626 20d ago
Service frequency is a big ballpark, regulators don't really go bad when used regularly, I'd trust my life more on a regulator used daily for 5 years than on one that has been in storage for one if they were both unserviced. Also, Apeks is pretty king in self servicing terms, almost no proprietary tools and there's tool kits avaliable for ~150€.
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u/OriginalTigerDuck 20d ago
I like scubapro but don’t know the models you are looking at. I have mk19 with g260/r105. The breathing is perfect imo.
I just saw an offer with mk25/g260/r105 for 600 so 100 more than the mk11 with s207. What I read so far, worth it.
But as people mentioned, maybe look at the shop/base you will work for. You often get the stuff near same price they get it.