Deco Regs....Advice Sought.....

[Capone]

Hi, I am looking for some advice from those of you who have built up experience in this area. Your assistance will be appreciated.

I am looking at getting myself a deco stage and as such require an oxygen clean (for higher O2 mixes than 40%) 1st & 2nd stage. I am also looking out for a good gauge for such a job but that is an aside.

I would very much like to get a second stage that is nothing like the second stages I use on my back gas so that I can tell just by touch which is which.
I am, however, quite keen to keep the make of all of my 1st stages the same so as to minimise the amount of spares I need to carry, this would be an ideal but may not be possible. The 1st stage that I have my eye on is the Apeks Nitrox DS4.

The two 1st stages I have at the moment are Apeks DS4s. The two second stages that I have are both Apeks TX40s.
None of which are Oxygen Cleaned.

So… I have a couple of specific questions I would like your informed opinions on and also am open to general suggestions around the subject.

1) Do you know of any non-Apeks 2nd stages which will fit and work well on an Oxygen Clean DS4 ?
2) Is it a bad idea to mix & match 1st & 2nd stage manufacturers or is it not too important ?
3) What is involved in Oxygen cleaning a second stage (and hose) ?
4) Would I be better off buying an Oxygen cleaned 2nd stage than buying a standard one & getting it cleaned ?
5) Are there any other reasonably priced (around the £200 mark) 1st & 2nd stages that you would recommend for the job ?

I look forward to hearing your suggestions and thank you in advance of your help.

[Gary K]

might not have been a good idea to put the same post up three times

[Capone]

Yeah, that was pretty stupid ! Didn't figure on it being displayed on the front page 3 times.

Life goes on !

[Dr T]

I vouch for ScubaPro MKII + R380s on my stages. You can change them to left or right handed which makes them more comfy on deco stops, and they are nice and compact.

I know this is going to open a can of worms but....

O2 cleaning....

is that really necessary for your stage regs. I know all the reasons for and against, but mine have not yet exploded in the car park or underwater with 75% or greater !!

[Woz]

Yep I'd go with the "don't bother" camp for O2 cleaning. Unless you have been using it to siphon engine oil. If you really want to get a reg O2 cleaned then the whole lot is stripped, degreased in an ultrasonic bath then the hose has degreaser run through it. Then washed and reassembled using O2 compatible lube. A decent service tech (like the one I use) does this anyway when servicing.

IIRC most manufacturers these days use O2 lube anyway and certainly Apeks use EPDM seals in their regs which is O2 compatible. I would personally steer clear of Viton as if it does go fizzle it releases stuff that you really don't want to be breathing.

Good deal on ATX 100's from Germany at the moment. £185 plus del for 1st and 2nd stage. IIRC SDS were doing a TX40 with DS4 for £120. Alternatively pick up a 2nd hand reg. I might have a Jetstream for sale if you want something that looks different and feels completely different. Comes with the 300 1st stage which is super compact for a stage reg. Can be used RH or LH of course. The CDG RB lot blow neat O2 through them all the time.

[Foggy]

IIRC the poseidon's use a different interstage pressure to most other manufacturers - so beware if you intend to swap first and second stages!

Also some LDC's get their knickers in a twist over servicing mixed sets.

Otherwise do what you want

Certain agencies would advocate against touch identification though.

Cheers, Paul

[Little Pete]

Some liike turretted regs (DST, MK25 etc) for deco gas as it allows you to stow the hose well but get a good length without bending it when deployed.

[Paul Oliver]

I use a Nitrox ATX40 with DS4 as shown here:- Dive Tec

They were not from Mark though i got them on a deal at the London Dive Show, cannot remember who from though

I found it a bit uncomfortable if i had the angle wrong initially, however i put a right angle swivel joint on the 1st stage and it is very good now, works well and comfy from either side now.

I'm thinking about the Blue TX40 for me other bottle (Currently use an old Scubapro reg on that).

I do like to have very different regs on each bottle, but as they are on opposite sides for me it don't matter too much.

[Woz]

TX40 DS4 from SDS £125.00. Bargain. Have just had a shuftie at their website www.sdswatersports.co.uk

[jptaylor9]

Originally Posted by Foggy

Also some LDC's get their knickers in a twist over servicing mixed sets.

My LDS says that the HSE (I think it was them) says thet can't service mixed regs.

HOWEVER... they can service the 1st & 2nd stages as seperate items. Can't connect them back together, but you only need an adjustable to do that! They'd provide seperate test reports for each stage.

JT