Which regs?

Tricky · November 24th, 2005, 02:34 PM

At the moment I use DS4s with a G250HP primary and G250 secondary for my backgas. My stage reg is a Mk20 with an R380. Due to my recent aquisition of a DST and 3x TX40s, I am considering swapping the G250s for TX40s on my bg regs (I prefer how they feel in my mouth - something to do with the curved exhaust baffle), instead of following through my previous plan which was to swap the DS4s for Mk20s and keep the G250s. Given that I have enough regs to rig my twins and one stage with all Apeks or all Scubapro, what would you do in my position? If I went all Apeks, should I be considering a TX50 for my primary reg, or will the TX40 be fine?

If it helps, here's a list of the regs I have available:

5x Mk20
1x Mk16 (currently my Argon reg)
2x DS4
1x DST
3x G250
2x G250HP
2x R380

*JohnKendall* · November 24th, 2005, 02:40 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Tricky)

At the moment I use DS4s with a G250HP primary and G250 secondary for my backgas. My stage reg is a Mk20 with an R380. Due to my recent aquisition of a DST and 3x TX40s, I am considering swapping the G250s for TX40s on my bg regs (I prefer how they feel in my mouth - something to do with the curved exhaust baffle), instead of following through my previous plan which was to swap the DS4s for Mk20s and keep the G250s. Given that I have enough regs to rig my twins and one stage with all Apeks or all Scubapro, what would you do in my position? If I went all Apeks, should I be considering a TX50 for my primary reg, or will the TX40 be fine?

If it helps, here's a list of the regs I have available:

5x Mk20
1x Mk16 (currently my Argon reg)
2x DS4
1x DST
3x G250
2x G250HP
2x R380

Personally I prefer the SP 1st stages, especially for routing on BackGas.

However if you decide to go all Apeks then the TX40 is fine for a Primary. If anything you might want a TX50 for your backup so you can detune it a little (Just a little, not too much) when it's not in use to avoid it freeflowing.

HTH
J

*Clare Gledhill* · November 24th, 2005, 02:42 PM

Al's just moved from the scubapro regs to DS4s - hope he'll stop by on this thread to say why... (I can't remember)

My own rig has the ATX 50 as the backup reg - for the exact reason John says - it can be detuned. My Primary is an ATX 40.

Tricky · November 24th, 2005, 02:46 PM

What about on the stage, all Apeks, all S'pro or a combo?

My current regular buddy has all Apeks but I may be diving more with my brother next year and he'll have whichever of my regs that I don't use

**Alastair** · November 24th, 2005, 06:57 PM

I currently use DS4 for backgas, having previously used scubapro. Main reason for the swap was my hoses seemed too long with the Scubapro's. On Tech-1 Andy reckoned they looked a bit long. Swapping to DS4's means I didn't have to change the hoses, as the position of the regs just takes some of the slack out. The backup sits more neatly now and the wing inflator seems better. As a bonus the long hose more naturally points behind the wing now due to the DS4 pointing a port slightly backwards so I find it easier to restow.

I now use the SP MK20's as stages regs. Theoretically piston regs are a little more resilient to water ingress and I like the hose routing you get with the turret when the regs in use.

It's not a huge difference, it just worked out that with 4 regs that combination suits me better.

Cheers
Al

Tricky · November 24th, 2005, 07:12 PM

Ok, so assuming I go for the Mk20 on my stage, should I use a G250 or an R380?

**Alastair** · November 24th, 2005, 08:56 PM

Not tried the G250's, I've only got R380's. Anyone compared the two?

Cheers
Al

Joe Hesketh · November 25th, 2005, 05:53 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair)

Not tried the G250's, I've only got R380's. Anyone compared the two?

Cheers
Al

Yes, the R380 is a noticably harder breathe as you'd expect for a non-air balanced design. The G250 is more like the TX50 (in fact IIRC Apeks based the TX50 on the G250 - bar a few cosmetic differences, it's the same reg)

Quote: (Originally Posted by Tricky)

Ok, so assuming I go for the Mk20 on my stage, should I use a G250 or an R380?

I'd use the G250. Assuming you mean deco bottle rather than stage, you want the reg that offers the least breathing resistance and effort, after all you could be hanging around on deco for half the dive or longer.

HTH
Joe

Rob Dobson · November 25th, 2005, 07:07 PM

In terms of 1st stages I'd be tempted to be boring (I don't like excitement where regs are concerned), so I'd be tempted to use the DS4's on the bg and DST's on the stages - MK20's are probably fine here as well.

I have a 380 2nd stage and I'm glad I don't use it very often as I don't like the breathe or how it feels. Tx40's and 50's are great so I'd use them if I could - either one of each with the 50 de-tuned or two 50's. If the G250 is effectively a Tx50 then great - but never used on so I don't know anything about them.

My 2 pence.

November 24th, 2005, 02:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	Which regs? At the moment I use DS4s with a G250HP primary and G250 secondary for my backgas. My stage reg is a Mk20 with an R380. Due to my recent aquisition of a DST and 3x TX40s, I am considering swapping the G250s for TX40s on my bg regs (I prefer how they feel in my mouth - something to do with the curved exhaust baffle), instead of following through my previous plan which was to swap the DS4s for Mk20s and keep the G250s. Given that I have enough regs to rig my twins and one stage with all Apeks or all Scubapro, what would you do in my position? If I went all Apeks, should I be considering a TX50 for my primary reg, or will the TX40 be fine? If it helps, here's a list of the regs I have available: 5x Mk20 1x Mk16 (currently my Argon reg) 2x DS4 1x DST 3x G250 2x G250HP 2x R380 Last edited by Tricky; November 24th, 2005 at 02:37 PM.

November 24th, 2005, 02:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Clare Gledhill(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,547	Al's just moved from the scubapro regs to DS4s - hope he'll stop by on this thread to say why... (I can't remember) My own rig has the ATX 50 as the backup reg - for the exact reason John says - it can be detuned. My Primary is an ATX 40. __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

November 24th, 2005, 06:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	I currently use DS4 for backgas, having previously used scubapro. Main reason for the swap was my hoses seemed too long with the Scubapro's. On Tech-1 Andy reckoned they looked a bit long. Swapping to DS4's means I didn't have to change the hoses, as the position of the regs just takes some of the slack out. The backup sits more neatly now and the wing inflator seems better. As a bonus the long hose more naturally points behind the wing now due to the DS4 pointing a port slightly backwards so I find it easier to restow. I now use the SP MK20's as stages regs. Theoretically piston regs are a little more resilient to water ingress and I like the hose routing you get with the turret when the regs in use. It's not a huge difference, it just worked out that with 4 regs that combination suits me better. Cheers Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

November 24th, 2005, 08:56 PM	#7 (permalink)
Alastair(Offline) DIRX Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 693	Not tried the G250's, I've only got R380's. Anyone compared the two? Cheers Al __________________ Helium is our friend - GI3

November 24th, 2005, 02:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
JohnKendall(Offline) GUE Instructor/DIRX Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 1,102	Quote: (Originally Posted by Tricky) At the moment I use DS4s with a G250HP primary and G250 secondary for my backgas. My stage reg is a Mk20 with an R380. Due to my recent aquisition of a DST and 3x TX40s, I am considering swapping the G250s for TX40s on my bg regs (I prefer how they feel in my mouth - something to do with the curved exhaust baffle), instead of following through my previous plan which was to swap the DS4s for Mk20s and keep the G250s. Given that I have enough regs to rig my twins and one stage with all Apeks or all Scubapro, what would you do in my position? If I went all Apeks, should I be considering a TX50 for my primary reg, or will the TX40 be fine? If it helps, here's a list of the regs I have available: 5x Mk20 1x Mk16 (currently my Argon reg) 2x DS4 1x DST 3x G250 2x G250HP 2x R380 Personally I prefer the SP 1st stages, especially for routing on BackGas. However if you decide to go all Apeks then the TX40 is fine for a Primary. If anything you might want a TX50 for your backup so you can detune it a little (Just a little, not too much) when it's not in use to avoid it freeflowing. HTH J

November 24th, 2005, 02:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	What about on the stage, all Apeks, all S'pro or a combo? My current regular buddy has all Apeks but I may be diving more with my brother next year and he'll have whichever of my regs that I don't use

November 24th, 2005, 07:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tricky(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Reading, Berkshire Posts: 555	Ok, so assuming I go for the Mk20 on my stage, should I use a G250 or an R380?

November 25th, 2005, 05:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
Joe Hesketh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 658	Quote: (Originally Posted by Alastair) Not tried the G250's, I've only got R380's. Anyone compared the two? Cheers Al Yes, the R380 is a noticably harder breathe as you'd expect for a non-air balanced design. The G250 is more like the TX50 (in fact IIRC Apeks based the TX50 on the G250 - bar a few cosmetic differences, it's the same reg) Quote: (Originally Posted by Tricky) Ok, so assuming I go for the Mk20 on my stage, should I use a G250 or an R380? I'd use the G250. Assuming you mean deco bottle rather than stage, you want the reg that offers the least breathing resistance and effort, after all you could be hanging around on deco for half the dive or longer. HTH Joe

November 25th, 2005, 07:07 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rob Dobson (Online) Chillin' with the ninjas Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Oxford Posts: 537	In terms of 1st stages I'd be tempted to be boring (I don't like excitement where regs are concerned), so I'd be tempted to use the DS4's on the bg and DST's on the stages - MK20's are probably fine here as well. I have a 380 2nd stage and I'm glad I don't use it very often as I don't like the breathe or how it feels. Tx40's and 50's are great so I'd use them if I could - either one of each with the 50 de-tuned or two 50's. If the G250 is effectively a Tx50 then great - but never used on so I don't know anything about them. My 2 pence.