Best Regulators for Scuba Diving
Dream Regs
Looking for your dream reg? We think you'll find it among these 11 easy breathers.
What do you want from the reg of your dreams? Effortless breathing? Precise controls? A featherweight second stage? Or a featherweight price tag? Here are 11 regs we like, from great all-around breathers to high-performance and specialized models.
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• Essential Scuba Diving Gear for the Weekend Warrior
AQUA LUNG LEGEND LX - Editor's Pick
Sport Diver Magazine - August, 2014
The upgraded Legend LX is light and compact, with the Master Breathing System that controls the Venturi and breathing adjustment with one knob. The exhaust port improves bubble dispersion for easier exhalation. The first stage has Aqua Lung’s Auto Closure Device to keep out water and debris.
Contact: aqualung.com
MSRP: $725
APEKS XTX200
Sport Diver Magazine - August, 2014
This reg got sweet upgrades, like improved gas flow, and a fifth low- pressure port on the overbalanced diaphragm first stage to easily route hoses. The ComfoBite mouthpiece has two sets of exhaust tees — one set to spread bubbles, and one set to keep things compact.
Contact: aqualung.com
MSRP: $755
ATOMIC AQUATICS T3
Sport Diver Magazine - August, 2014
Titanium’s strength comes at a fraction of steel’s weight; plus, it’s corrosion-resistant. It’s used in components of both the first and second stages, for a combined weight of less than 1.7 pounds. The T3 also has automatic flow control and a sealed first stage with five low-pressure ports.
Contact: atomicaquatics.com
MSRP: $1,699
SHERWOOD SCUBA SR2
Sport Diver Magazine - August, 2014
New features (including a cool second-stage cover) make this model as compact and easy breathing as ever, with a single control that combines the functions of the Venturi lever and breathing adjustment, and a “smart” second-stage lever that extends valve seat life. The first stage has five low- pressure ports on a 360-degree swivel for perfect hose routing.
Contact: sherwoodscuba.com
MSRP: $736
SUBGEAR SG50
Sport Diver Magazine - August, 2014
The SG50 delivers impressive performance for a relatively modest price. Features include a balanced, sealed-piston first stage, an effective dive/predive Venturi switch, and a breathing control with a range of adjustments. The second stage is lightweight and has a swivel-ball hose attachment to keep things easy on the jaw.
Contact: subgear.com
MSRP: $499
OCEANIC OMEGA 3 - "The Switch Hitter"
Sport Diver Magazine - August, 2014
Many regs can be swapped from a right- to a left-side hose by a technician. Swap the Omega 3 by flipping the reg over in your mouth. The mechanism has no up or down, so it breathes smoothly on both sides with a single exhaust port that shifts bubbles outward.
Contact: oceanicworldwide.com
MSRP: $699.95
SHERWOOD SCUBA OASIS - "The Smooth Operator"
Sport Diver Magazine - August, 2014
For some divers, there’s such a thing as a reg that breathes too dry, leaving them with an uncomfortable case of cottony dry mouth despite the whole “water, water everywhere” thing. The Oasis features a pair of patented moisture retention vanes that collect humidity from the diver’s breath and return it on inhalation. All in all, it’s an easy breather with a balanced-piston first stage and a predive/dive control lever.
Contact: sherwoodscuba.com
MSRP: $460
DIVE RITE XT
Sport Diver Magazine - August, 2014
With Dive Rite’s history with tec gear, it’s no surprise the XT reg shows attention to details. The knurled breathing-resistance knob and the dual tabs on the Venturi switch make for easy-grip, precise adjustments. The first stage has five low-pressure ports and a rotating turret for routing hoses.
Contact: diverite.com
MSRP: $460
SCUBAPRO MK21/S560
Sport Diver Magazine - August, 2014
Offering high performance at a midprice range, the balanced- piston MK21 first stage has external fins for optimal thermal exchange, and an optional cap for a fifth low-pressure port. The second stage is made of strong techno-polymers and has a precise breathing adjustment.
Contact: scubapro.com
MSRP: $499
TUSA RS-812
Sport Diver Magazine - August, 2014
Brand new to TUSA’s hardware line this year, the balanced-piston first stage complements the second stage equipped with a Venturi lever. The RS-812 features a lightweight second stage with an ergonomic mouthpiece and a swiveling hose.
Contact: tusa.com
MSRP: $499
CRESSI MC9/COMPACT - "The Lightweight"
Sport Diver Magazine - August, 2014
This is a reg designed for globe-trotting divers who want to pare every ounce from their travel kit. Made from high-tech polymers, the second stage weighs less than 5 ounces and isn’t much wider than the mouthpiece. Its feathery weight makes it very easy in the mouth, but it still delivers performance that gives bigger regs a run for the money — and not much money at that, with a very attractive price.
Contact: cressi.com
MSRP: $359.95
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