21 REGULATORS

THE DEEP BREATH TESTS

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Beuchat Evolution Diaphragm first-stage with four mp and two hp ports. Plastic second-stage with venturi +/- and BRA.

First impessions: We liked the matt chrome and low turret design of the first-stage but the position of the ports seemed to point the hoses away from the diver. Everyone thought the design of the second-stage was excellent. We found the second-stage exhaust tee rested nicely on the chin. At depth: George: "I found it to be an average breather but a bit damp now and again. The round knob doesn't appear to do much but the blue knob adjusts the reg to the point of free-flowing. Why?" Sarah: "Really nice - a great breather. There were noticeable differences with both knobs and they were easy to get at." Steffi: "I was surprised to find real improvement over previous models. However the BRA knob seemed to do nothing unless you turned it seven or eight times." Steve: "I found it very smooth." Upside-down: Wet - but just OK. In a fast current: Good when BRA screwed right down. What the machine found: At a ventilation rate of 63 lpm this regulator sucked in considerable amounts of water. Work of breathing at 50m: 1.66 joules/litre. Guide price: £233

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Beuchat VS8 Club Diaphragm first-stage with four mp and one hp ports. Plastic second-stage.

First impressions: We thought the first-stage looked neat but did not like the way the hoses were routed. The second-stage seemed heavy but looked good and there was easy access to the mushroom exhalation valve and main valve mechanism. At depth: George: "It was OK. but it felt like it was at the limit. The purge did not clear all the water from it." Sarah: "Not excellent - only average. The purge did not clear all the water." Steffi: "The panic test proved very good and generally it breathed well. It was a relatively simple device to use." Steve: "I found it slightly uneven. I was not entirely comfortable but I was not sure why. It seemed to rasp a little. It was not one of my favourites." Upside-down: Retained lots of water and a coarse spray. In a fast current: Good. What the machine found: At a ventilation rate of 63 lpm it sucked in unacceptable amounts of water. Work of breathing at 50m: 2.57 joules/litre. Guide price: £185

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The Deep Breath Tests | ANSTI Testing | The Conclusions

Apeks TX40 and TX100 Beuchat Evolution and VS8 Club Cressi-Sub XS1 and F3 Mares MR12 Voltrex and MR22 Ruby Ocean Reef 6600 and Enterprise

Oceanic Delta IID and Gamma D Poseidon Cyklon 5000 and Jetstream Scubapro Mk14/M50 and Mk20/G250 Sherwood Blizzard and Magnum Spiro Ranger XP and Supra D XR2 Cryo, US Divers SEA4 Micra ADJ

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Appeared in DIVER - March 1998.

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