21 REGULATORS

THE DEEP BREATH TESTS
Cressi-Sub XS1
Piston first-stage with four mp and two hp ports. Plastic second-stage with flow-vane switch.
First impressions:
An uncomfortably tall turret design - normally used inverted - with a strange position for some rubber trim. The second-stage felt nice in the hand and its integrated exhaust tee did not seem to put bubbles up past the face as was expected. We all felt that the purge button was too small.

At depth:
George: "It was OK. but there appeared to be some drag."
Sarah: "It felt hubbly-bubbly. It was unnerving. The flow-vane switch was impossible to get at and seemed to do nothing."
Steffi: "It seemed smooth enough with very easy breathing but the mouthpiece was useless. I had to pucker up to it. I could not get to grips with it with my teeth."
Steve: "Very strong and smooth but it hissed!"

Upside-down: Wet, but OK.
In a fast current: Average.


What the machine found:
This regulator was unable to perform within the set parameters beyond 47m.
Work of breathing at 47m: 2.42 joules/litre.

Guide price: £165		 Cressi Sub XS1


Cressi Sub XS1
Cressi-Sub F3
Unbalanced piston first-stage with three mp ports and one hp port. Plastic second-stage, with venturi +/-.
First impressions:
Obviously inxpensive. The second-stage was very simple to take apart and reassemble. Good for training or rental.

At depth:
George: "An average breather retaining a little spray. It gave an adequate supply of air at all levels of demand."
Sarah: "A poor performer, It was slightly wet and the exhaust bubbles were noticeably in my vision. It sounded asthmatic! The mouthpiece really dug into my mouth."
Steffi: "It gave a slightly wet breathe, and inhalation took a little work. Certainly not my first choice."
Steve: "I found it very easy and encountered no problem with it."

Upside-down: Retained a fine spray of water.
In a fast current: Good.

What the machine found:
An adequate performance at 50m.
Work of breathing at 50m: 2.42 joules/litre.

Guide price: £105		 Cressi-Sub F3



Cressi-Sub F3
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
Appeared in DIVER - March 1998.