AQUA-LUNG CALYPSO

The Calypso, from Aqua-Lung/U.S. Divers, offers both simplicity and performance. The chrome plated brass first stage has a durable piston mechanism for dependability. It has one high pressure port and four low pressure ports. The extra long (38 inch) second stage hose allows plenty of flex to help prevent tugging at the divers mouth and can be run under the divers arm to maintain a lower profile. The lightweight polycarbonate second stage has a downstream lever action valve. A flow vane, adjustable via a lever on the top of the case, allows the diver to tune in a venturi assist for super easy breathing. The flexible cover/purge allows convenient purging when wearing gloves and can be removed quickly for inspection of the diaphragm or interior. The large exhaust tee pushes bubbles well to the sides of the face; the orthodontically shaped mouthpiece is made of supple black silicone. The Calypso has a suggested retail price of $199.

BEUCHAT VS 4

The VS 4, from Beuchat, uses a balanced piston mechanism in the first stage to provide stable intermediate pressure, even as scuba tank pressure drops. The rugged, chrome plated brass first stage has a satin finish; the second stage is made of lightweight polycarbonate. The first stage has two high pressure ports, plus four low pressure ports on a swivel. All Beuchat first stages can be purchased with yoke or DIN fittings and a DIN-to-yoke adapter is available as well. The second stage hose has a standard protector at the top and a large, triangular protector complements the design of the second stage. The second stage has a lever action, downstream demand valve for excellent airflow. A knob on the second stage case adjusts cracking pressure to decrease breathing resistance or reduce freeflow, depending on conditions. The VS 4 retails for $298.

CRESSI-SUB F3

Cressi-subs F3 is designed for reliability and reduced maintenance, yet offers performance enhancing features that are unavailable on other regulators in its class. The first stage is chrome plated brass, with a satin finish. It uses a simple, reliable, non-balanced piston valve to provide excellent airflow. It has a replaceable high pressure orifice, which helps reduce maintenance costs over long term use. There is one high pressure port and three low pressure ports. The first stage is available with either a yoke or DIN fitting. The F3 second stage is lightweight technopolymer. Its lever action demand valve features Cressis Internal Balance Injection system, which includes a stainless steel tube that directs a portion of the incoming air directly toward the mouthpiece. This creates a venturi effect that enhances airflow. This effect can be adjusted by a flow vane in the path of the air that is turned via a lever on the top of the second stage case. The F3 has a suggested retail price of $208.

DACOR ENDURO

Dacors Enduro features a small, lightweight second stage with a flexible, front exhaust tee/purge; and a shiny chrome plated brass first stage with a ribbed, black rubber accent. The combination is both attractive and functional, offering good performance in a sleek, drag reducing shape. The diaphragm first stage offers consistent performance; the patented dry-sealed unit isolates the moving parts from the external environment, which prevents contamination and corrosion. There are four low pressure ports (1/2 inch) and one high pressure port (7/16 inch). The second stage has a pneumatically balanced mechanism to facilitate airflow. The combination diaphragm/exhaust valve allows a smaller, more efficient second stage than is standard and directs exhaust bubbles out the front, where the offset exhaust tee moves them away from the face. The Enduro retails for $250.

DIVERS SUPPLY SEA ELITE QUEST XR4

The Sea Elite Quest XR4, from Divers Supply, offers advanced second stage features usually found on more expensive regulators. The second stage valve lever has a roller bearing to reduce friction where it contacts the diaphragm plate. A curved vane on the inside of the lightweight, low profile, polycarbonate case directs incoming air toward the mouthpiece for a venturi assist, yet this effect can be modified by a second vane turned by an external lever. The cracking pressure can be adjusted by an external knob to decrease breathing resistance or tune out freeflow, as desired. The chrome plated brass first stage has a satin finish and houses a dependable, balanced piston valve. There are two high pressure ports and four low pressure ports on a full swivel. The second stage case cover is available in black, blue, lime or pink. The Quest XR4 has a suggested retail price of $299.

FORTŽ DELUXE AQUIS

The Deluxe Aquis, from FortŽ, offers a high performance, balanced piston mechanism in the first stage that provides excellent airflow under all conditions. The tapered first stage body reduces weight and there are two high pressure ports, plus four low pressure ports on a swivel, offering convenient hose positioning. The second stage incorporates a balanced, lever action mechanism. A stainless roller bearing reduces friction where the lever contacts the diaphragm plate, which reduces inhalation effort. A curved vane inside the second stage case directs some of the incoming air toward the mouthpiece, producing a venturi effect that makes inhalation easy. The cushioned bite tabs increase comfort and the low profile exhaust tee reduces drag when moving through the water. The Deluxe Aquis retails for $250.

GENESIS VALOR

The Valor, from Genesis Scuba, has a balanced first stage with two high pressure ports and four low pressure ports, allowing considerable leeway in hose positioning. The first stage utilizes a floating orifice assembly that maintains constant hose pressure and is replaceable. Optional DIN adapters are available. The Valors tiny second stage, one of the most compact and lightweight available, features a Vane Adjustment Switch (VAS), with two settings, Max and Min. These allow the regulators breathing characteristics to be customized for specific situations. When set to Max the regulator provides maximum venturi assistance, making it easier to breathe at deeper depths and increased workloads. The Min setting is used for normal diving. The second stage also features an ergonomically designed mouthpiece to prevent jaw fatigue. The Valor retails for $300.

IDI OSPREY/FLOWBY

International Divers Osprey/Flowby combination provides easy breathing and dependability in one package. The cylindrical, chrome plated brass Flowby first stage utilizes a modified flowby piston mechanism. This provides consistent intermediate pressure and low maintenance. By adding the optional Icebreaker boot, first stage freeze-up can be prevented, too. There is one high pressure port and three low pressure ports. The Osprey second stage has a chrome plated brass case and a wide rubber purge/cover that makes purging easy when wearing bulky gloves. The valve lever has a plastic button where it contacts the diaphragm plate, which reduces friction. A tube directs incoming air toward the mouthpiece for a venturi assist. The mouthpiece, diaphragm and exhaust valve are silicone and the flexible exhaust tee is removable. The Osprey/Flowby has a suggested retail price of $299.

MARES MR12/NIKOS

Mares MR12/Nikos combination provides easy breathing at all depths because the balanced diaphragm valve in the MR12 first stage automatically adjusts for increases in ambient pressure. The diaphragm design also isolates moving parts from environmental contamination. The chrome plated brass MR12 has one high pressure port and five low pressure ports to make hose positioning convenient. The primary second stage port is marked DFC and enhanced by Mares Dynamic Flow Control, which minimizes intermediate pressure drop during inhalation. The technopolymer Nikos second stage has a downstream lever action valve with a Teflon coating on the lever to reduce friction. A unique, snap-in flow vane directs incoming air toward the mouthpiece for a venturi assist. The second stage cover holes are designed to deflect oncoming water and reduce its effect on the diaphragm. The MR12/Nikos retails for $279.

OCEANIC ALPHA SPORT

Oceanics Alpha Sport has a luxurious appearance;with a satin finish on the chrome plated brass first stage and a high tech pattern on the second stage cover in blue or black. Performance doesnt slack, either. The first stages unbalanced piston mechanism provides plenty of airflow and the second stage has a balanced lever action valve with a friction reducing roller bearing. The cylindrical first stage is compact, with one high pressure port and four low pressure ports. The black polycarbonate second stage is lightweight and low profile and the clear silicone mouthpiece has cushioned bite tabs for comfort. The friction reducing interior design of the second stage case directs airflow toward the mouthpiece to further enhance breathing ease. Small vents in the second stage cover help reduce freeflow when swimming into a current. The Alpha Sport retails for $209.95.

SCUBAPRO MK 2 PLUS/R190

Scubapros MK 2 Plus/R190 combination offers classically dependable, low maintenance operation and diver adjustment of airflow. The MK 2 Plus first stage is made of chrome plated brass, with a satin finish. It uses a standard downstream piston mechanism to provide dependable airflow and, with only one moving part, needs little maintenance. There is one high pressure port and four low pressure ports. The R190 second stage is made of lightweight polycarbonate and utilizes a classic, downstream, lever action valve for generous airflow. Using the lever on the upper left side of the case, the diver can fine tune airflow via a flow vane in the path of the air as it approaches the mouthpiece. The second stage hose can be switched from the right to left side of the case if desired. The MK 2 Plus/R190 retails for $249. Nitrox conversion and anti-freeze kits are available.

SEAC SUB ZX 3000

The ZX 3000, from Seac Sub, has a balanced diaphragm first stage, which provides high airflow, even at low tank pressures. Further, the diaphragm isolates the valves moving parts from the external environment. This not only helps prevent corrosion and wear, it provides reliability in extremely cold water. This effect is enhanced by the nylon covering on the valve. There are two high pressure ports and four low pressure ports (two of the latter have high flow enhancements, for use with primary and octopus second stages). The second stage is made of lightweight polycarbonate and uses a downstream, lever action valve. There is a built-in, self-regulating, venturi assist designed to increase airflow while reducing freeflow. The mouthpiece, diaphragm and exhaust valve are all supple silicone. The ZX 3000 retails for $293.