Regulators 2006 –£175
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MARK EVANS PADI Divemaster 22 years diving experience | DAVE HOPE PADI MSDT 16 years diving experience | PAUL CUSHING PADI Instructor 11 years diving experience | PAUL ANDREWS PADI Divemaster 6 years diving experience | JIM BREWIS PADI Divemaster 4 years diving experience |
Aqualung Calypso regulator (SRP: £149.95)
Servicing costs: £65 (Wittering Divers)
Accessories: None.
Mark: This is a very cheap regulator and yet it coped reasonably well with temperatures of just 4°C. It gave quite a dry breathe and the second stage felt comfy in my mouth. A good entry-level choice if cost is a major factor.
Dave: I managed to get this to freeflow, but otherwise it performed adequately. However, I think there are better units on test in this price bracket.
Paul C: I also got a bit of a freeflow from this regulator, but it felt comfortable, gave a dry breathe and seems well made.
Paul A: I liked this regulator and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone wanting a starter reg. The knobs all work and it gives a dry breathe. No real bubble interference on exhalation.
Jim: I thought this regulator was quite nice across the board, particularly at such a good price. It didn’t breathe wet even under stress, and it gave a smooth breathe.
Scubapro Mk11/R295 regulator (SRP: £170) SD Best Buy
Servicing costs: £65 (Puffin Divers)
Accessories: None.
Mark: The all-new Mk11 and R295 combo is set to be the ultimate starter regulator. Just £170 and you get a Scubapro regulator that looks modern and compact and also delivers the performance you’d expect. Definitely one to recommend.
Dave: This is a good-quality regulator that gives a nice, dry breathe. I had no real issues with anything – a perfect starter regulator.
Paul C: This was my favourite regulator of the test – it is comfortable, gives a good breathe and is well made. You really can’t go wrong, especially at that price!
Paul A: I found this regulator breathed okay in all positions, although I had a slight freeflow initially. The usual high standard you expect from Scubapro.
Jim: This was the best of the test for me. It worked well in all situations and was very comfortable.
Seac Sub Sorius 1000 regulator (SRP: £129)
Servicing costs: £64.99 (Aberdeen Watersports)
Accessories: None.
Mark: The Sorius 1000 performed pretty average across the board. It was a decent breathe, was reasonably comfortable and seems quite well screwed together, but its biggest bonus is that price – £129 for a regulator. Not bad if you are really tight on budget.
Dave: I was quite disappointed with this regulator. It performed adequately, but was found wanting in some areas. I also got a bit of a freeflow off it.
Paul C: This was my least favourite of the test. I didn’t find it that good on the breathing front, and it wasn’t very comfortable.
Paul A: I thought this was average – it breathed reasonably well, stayed dry in all positions and coped well under stress.
Jim: I found this regulator to be below average, especially compared with some of the others in the test, but it does come in at a very competitive price.
Sherwood Brut regulator (SRP: £173) SD Choice
Servicing costs: £60 (Wirral Sports)
Accessories: None.
Mark: Sherwood has always done well in our regulator tests, but has previously been let down by its looks. However, now the range has a fresh frontage on the second stages and they are a real contender all round. It breathes well and it is a steal at the price.
Dave: This is a cracking regulator. It gave a bone-dry breathe and, with the large exhaust fitted, I got no bubble interference at all. One of the best in this group by far. And I like the new-look second stage.
Paul C: This was a nice, comfortable regulator that breathed very well. The large exhaust eliminated any bubbles coming up in front of my mask, but I had trouble depressing the purge button with dry gloves on.
Paul A: This was the best in the test for me. It had a nice, wide exhaust, it gave a smooth, dry breathe and the mouthpiece was very comfortable. A superb regulator for the price.
Jim: This was comfy, breathed well and stayed dry whatever position I got it into. A nicely made piece of kit.
Tigullio T52 Airtrack regulator (SRP: £175)
Servicing costs: £59 (Extreme Marine)
Accessories: None.
Mark: I was a little disappointed by this regulator. It freeflowed very easily in the cold water, but other than that, it breathed reasonably well, was comfortable and feels durable and robust.
Dave: I got a few bubbles in front of my mask on exhalation, and I also had it freeflow on me. However, I found it gave a decent-enough breathe and the lightweight second stage was comfy.
Paul C: I liked this regulator. It gave a nice, easy, smooth breathe that remained dry in all positions, and the mouthpiece was very comfortable.
Paul A: I was disappointed with this regulator as well. It seemed to freeflow very easily, but when it wasn’t, it gave a smooth breathe and was comfortable enough.
Jim: I didn’t like the mouthpiece and found it quite uncomfortable. Otherwise, it gave a nice breathe, with a decent volume of air being delivered for little effort.
