Finding the right regulator can, but doesn't have to be, a difficult task. This guide will not try to sell you a specific brand or model of regulator. I have owned or used Scuba Pro, Oceanic, Sherwood, Dacor, U.S. Divers, Atomic, Mares, Zeagle, Cressi-sub, Poseidon and many other regulators It is an unbiased look at the decision process of buying your next regulator.

There are so many of them on the market and they all claim to be the holy grail of regulators. So, which one is the best one for you? Take a look at what your local dive shop(s) are selling and servicing. Getting something that they are familiar with can make future maintenance much easier and less expensive.

Consider your diving conditions, cold water, dirty water, etc. Some regulators may not be suitable for all conditions or may need special service to meet the demands of your diving conditions. When you find the regulator that you think is suitable for your diving conditions you need to evaluate the regulator with regard to two criteria.

In a nutshell, the criteria for selecting a regulator are:

1. Breathing Effort - Ease of Breathing
2. Parts and Service
   

First Consideration - Regardless of the price range you are shopping in you want to get the regulator that is the easiest to breath. You can read all the technical data you want but the best way to absolutely answer the breathing effort question is to use the regulator and see how it performs. Most reputable dive shops should let you try out a regulator in their pool before you buy it. When you try it out make it a complete test. Make certain you use it with a full tank, a close to empty tank, upside down, right side up and everything in between, swimming hard, hardly swimming, etc. You get the picture.

I recommend not buying any regulator until you have had the opportunity to try a properly tuned sample. With regulators on ebay look for ones you have used and were impressed by.

Second Consideration - So you have found a regulator that gives air at the mere thought of breathing. You've got to remember the only way it will remain in that condition is if you have it serviced regularly by a competent shop or service center. The more difficult or expensive it is to obtain service the less likely you are to get the service done. It does no good at all to spend thousands on the most incredible regulator if must be sent to Tibet for service and parts cost as much as the regulator did new.

Most regulators have a one year service interval. That means, whether they are used or not they need to be serviced once a year. Some regulators, because of their design, have a two year service interval. With any regulator, if you notice a difference in performance you need to get it serviced.

Make certain you can get the regulator serviced, in your local area, at a reasonable price and that parts are available at a reasonable price. 

Knowledge is key. When buying used, whether you are shopping on eBay or searching classified ads, you have got to know what you are looking at. Service for some older regulators may be difficult, expensive or simply impossible to obtain because of lack of available parts. Make certain you know what you are looking at. You can't always rely on the seller. To many sellers of dive gear, either truthfully or in an attempt to avoid claims of misrepresentation, claim to know nothing about the item they are selling. If you are not familiar with the brand or model, regardless of the price, stay away from it until you get educated about what you are looking at.

Good luck with your search.
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