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.