first timer which regulator?

[Dirk Diggler]

I've been diving a Scubapro now for 10 yrs locally and tropical, its never let me down. Been diving since '84 and had some others before, and very happy I switched. Just logged my 1251st dive during an ice dive with it and once again performed like a champ.

Purchased a new one last year for my wife, did my research and havent found anything that breathes so good. Keeping her comfortable was a big key. I also like the warranty and free parts, I believe in servicing my gear regularly. I'm really sold on the Scubapro, though a good quality service technician is key. Cost of service is cheap, maybe equilivant to the cost of a dive in the Carribbean. To me its worth keeping my gear up and not taking chances. I dive a lot in every imaginable condition, the last thing I want is to worry about my gear. I would also check with the shop you are going to purchase from and have them detail everything they will do when servicing it. Any regulator can become a poor performer and it may come down to its service work being substandard. Lots of forums complain on this, and finding a good tech is golden.

How do you know a good tech? Ask to speak with them. But if you see a someone who talks on and on about how they've serviced gear for decades and decades and knows everything in the world - all the while he's sitting over the repair desk with a lit cigarette in his mouth, you better know its time to look elsewhere.

"Like" is purely subjective, there are many good regulators and you have to find one with better than average performance, support, service, and local expertise. You'll only go wrong if you overlook those things.

For groups diving, if you find affiliation with a shop you like, they may have lots of times they offer to buddy up with them at the lake. There are members here on mnscuba who try to get together throughout the summer, and there's also another group, twin cities dive club that has outings also. This sport has really become special for a lot of us, make time to get active with those you find a good fit with. There is no 'try', just 'do'! Get a set of gear and you will dive more.

Have fun and be a safe diver.