Perhaps you’re at the stage where you’re thinking of buying your own regulator. It is not a cheap piece of gear, and definitely worth some time mulling over. Here’re the 3 basic things to consider when picking your very own regulator.
- Diaphragm vs Piston (1st stage)
A piston first stage is more precise, and hence more expensive in general. They also tend to be more reliable and less expensive to maintain. However, the diaphragm is cheaper to manufacture, hence much cheaper to buy. They are also the preferred first stage for cold water divers.
- DIN vs Yoke (1st stage)
The part that attaches to your tank. Depending on where in the world you’re diving from, some places prefer one over another. More often than not, Yoke tanks are the one used for recreational diving, but DIN is the safer one as it traps the O ring within the system.
- Balanced vs Unbalanced (2nd stage)
Balanced regulators give you a steady air flow, regardless of depth or air pressure left in tank. For that very reason, it is the preferred choice for divers frequently doing deep/ tec dives and cold water divers. That being said, most recreational divers would not feel the difference between the 2 of them, and the balanced regulator is, in fact, much more expensive than an unbalanced one.
Well, we hope that helped you understand a little more about regulators. Just remember that the more complicated a piece of gear, the more points of failure there may be. Feel free to come on in to the shop and speak to any of our friendly staff member if you’d like to learn more!
I’ve always wondered what’s the best type of regulator to buy. Thanks for breaking it down into 3 simple things to consider! I’ll definitely keep this in mind when shopping around.
Hi Ahmed, thank you for sharing your thoughts! We’re glad to hear that our post helped simplify the process of choosing a regulator. At Gill Divers, we understand the importance of finding the right gear for your needs. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Tel: +65 6734 9373 or Email: [email protected]. We’re always here to help.
I’ve always been curious about the different types of regulators, and this post helped me understand the basics. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog post on regulators! We’re thrilled to hear that it helped you understand the basics. At Gill Divers, we believe that education is key when it comes to choosing the right gear for your diving adventures. If you have any more questions or would like to learn more about our regulators, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Tel: +65 6734 9373 or Email: [email protected]. We’re always here to help!
I’m a cold water diver, so the diaphragm vs piston (1st stage) is something I need to think about. Thanks for the info!
Hi Ling Wong, thank you for reaching out! As a cold water diver, it’s great that you’re considering the diaphragm vs piston (1st stage) option. Given your experience with diving in cold water, I would recommend going with a diaphragm first stage. They are indeed the preferred choice for cold water divers due to their ability to handle the increased pressure and density of the water. Additionally, they tend to be more affordable and easier to maintain compared to piston regulators. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at +65 6734 9373 or [email protected]. We’re always here to help.