Our Review: Deep 6 Signature Regulators AND Why we chose a long hose config for recreational diving

[@solimanius3966]

I am ordering a sidemount set from them next week. I have spoken to Landon as well as he often returns emails and calls. Helps that Edd Sorensen likes them too. Might hit up Landon for some training as well. Thanks for your review. It was informative.

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

Awesome. I've been a fan of their gear for quite a few years now. Landon is a really good guy

[@troywarren4285]

Great review! Hits all facts about why the Deep6 Signatures Regs are the best bang for the buck in the industry. Breathes just as well as a piston MK25 or Atomic, looks better, superior finish on the 1st stage, easily accessible service kits and manuals, all at a fraction of the big brand price. I'm selling every Atomic, ScubaPro, and Dive Rite regulator I own and replacing them with Deep6.

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

You won't be disappointed. I've been using the D6 for about 3 years now and they've not missed a beat.

[@everythingscuba]

Gary, again as always you guys make great instructional points. The calm “out of air” scenario we teach in open water is surely not the way it would happen in real life! An interesting perspective on why recreational divers may wish to consider changing their setup to what you suggest. (Made me rethink things too!) Thanks! (Orange looks good on you BTW!)👌

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

Cheers Lyell.... I gotta admit I like the Orange! The long hose conversation came up last year when we were teaching some DM's. We talked a lot more about diver stress and how things tend to unfold (and how a small issue can quickly escalate). We taught them to get used to primary donation/take as opposed to defend your airsource as a more pragmatic solution.... in which case long hose just makes more sense. Happy to see that SSI and SDI are now including primary donation as an option for OoA too

[@alex6008]

Deep6 makes a service manual available right on their site and service kits are easy to get. So servicing your regs is easy and without having to search for "manufacturer authorized service center"

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

That is one of the key things I really like about both Deep 6 and HOG. It makes it so much easier for people with sufficient experience to keep their regs operational and keep the cost of ownership down. Of course, if you don't know what you're doing its always a good idea to take your regs to be serviced by an experienced tech

[@brockmorrell]

I've been considering a set of Deep6 for my backmount set-up, thanks for the review Gary!

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

Any time Brock. I've been using a set of Zeagle F8's for years and was very happy with them.... but these are another level of comfort and breathe. Yes I liked the old matt black on the F8's, but I really like this oily chromed finish too... IMHO well worth a look at

[@drds9988]

Been gradually switching over my whole stable of regs to Deep6, they are the best bang for buck I have found so far. Great review thanks!

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

Thank you. The pro's in our shop are now all starting to switch over too - they've tried mine and when they see the price.... make the switch. I do want to lower my IP though, as I like to feel that I am working a little bit for my air, and the WOB on these is just too easy.... for me...

[@cberni16]

Another informative video Gary. What about servicing the regs since you purchase these direct?

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

As Alex says above - their service kits are available directly and the service manual is on their site. They're not overly complicated regs and their design means they do not need any Deep6 specific tools (yes looking at you Scubapro and Aqualung). Needless to say, I've not opened them up yet, but have serviced my HOG D3's many times

[@alex6008]

On signature regs the first service is free, just have to pay for shipping. Good for US adjacent locations. After that, get the kits and be on good terms with a local tech :)

[@keeferdog5617]

So, orange is my fav color. When the brand new Apeks “ANODIZED-ORANGE” Exotec BCD came out I had to have one. $1,100 usd. I’ve been diving it here in Grand Cayman, where I live. I just sold it, didn’t like it. Too bulky, air gets trapped in donut air cell and I don’t need 45lbs of lift. Oh well, my pretty orange bcd is gone, sold in 4 hours and diving something more minimalist…so much for “having to have something”…

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

Oh Keefer I feel your pain.... I too really liked the orange plate of the Exotec, and the orange D rings too.... I've looked all over the web to see if I can get a regular Ali backplate in orange - so if you see someone selling a decent one be sure to let me know (I'm using matt black at the moment with a Deep 6 wing (which has orange trim))...

[@ELAMINHamid]

I totally agree .. Orange ± army camouflag is a badass theme .. - long hose donation is the correct method .. and it is a badass configuration too.. - the deep 6 seems to be a good product with good value.. unfortunately maintenance can be an issue where i live!

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

Any experienced tech who knows how to service and adjust a balanced diaphragm set of regs will be able to service these bad boys. The service manual is available right on the website. We're not allowed to wear 'military style camouflage' in Grenada - Its actually against the law and has something to do with militia's.... but yes orange and camo would look sick

[@UKDiver]

Spot on with the reasoning for the long hose setup. Hopefully som elf the UK based major agencies will start to adopt this soon. Which the regs, they look sweet and I welcome the business model. Obviously won’t be seeing too many of them over here in the UK, but how do you go about servicing these is there are no dealers etc?

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

Whilst I would not suggest its for everyone (long hose), its good to see mainstream agencies adapting to how people are diving and experiencing diving in this regard. As for the regs servicing - its a different mindset approach they offering for dealers and users. Buy the service kits direct and the service manual is freely available from them. They're not trying to tie dealers into an arrangement with them and exclude others - anyone can download and service. I mean, if you're already a qualified tech, its not rocket science!

[@UKDiver]

@@DeeferDivingCarriacou that’s refreshing. I’d happily service my own regs if I could get the kits. I just wonder what happens for those less confident. I guess that’s a choice you have to make when buying. Great review and enjoyed the vid. You’ve now got me wondering what colour matches my personality… I’ll have to have a think! Cheers. aAmdy

[@Larutus]

I'll be honest, Orange is my accent colour of choice for scuba gear. There is a bit on my mask and some on my gear bags, also got orange hose clips.

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

That's how it starts Larry.... That's how it starts. And then someone will buy you a rashguard in orange and it just runs away. It's not become my theme and I 'own it" now.... But I do like it underwater too.

[@tvelocidad]

Are your orange hoses miflex? If so, are you finding them manageable in the water... in regards to them staying put and not flying away?

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

No, they're rubber hoses. They do get a little floaty sometimes... But on the whole they're good

[@greatwhitesharky3261]

Do they sell D6 in the UK?

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

Deep 6 are a direct to consumer company. They don't sell through retailers - as they take a huge margin, which increases the price you pay. You would be able to buy their gear online.... But would need to shop around for servicing. We're lucky in that regard as we do all our own servicing in-house...

[@greatwhitesharky3261]

@@DeeferDivingCarriacou thank you. I've never heard anyone in the UK who services these.

[@douglastwyford9872]

What is to stop a panicked diver taking the reg and rushing to the surface? First thing to do in my opinion, is to give them a reg....any reg...and hold on to their BC. Stabilize the panic / urgency and then adjust and ascend safely and connected- they have one hand on your BC you have one hand on theirs. Long hoses in kelp forests...long hoses round the neck? May be OK in warm water but in drysuited areas with other equipment...too fussy...again...just an opinion.

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

And a very valid view too. Personally I like the option to have space. If a diver were to panic and take my primary, yes I can grab him and he can grab me.... but with a short hose it can become very difficult to communicate and organise as you're very intimately connected. A long hose gives you the option. You can grab hold and be close as you deal with the panic. You can then open up a bit more space when things have calmed down, or have them a good distance away as you ascend (when things are normalised). All it does is give you options. Of course there are compromises. Every change to what we do has a benefit and a compromise, but the question for each individual is do the benefits outweigh the compromise. For me, here - for sure it does.

[@diogoferreira9039]

Training and practice (and buddying up with divers you know) are the key to reduce the likelihood of a panicking diver to grab you, your regulator, etc. and ascend... As for the dangers of a long hose with heavy equipment well, it's not a problem if you know what you are doing (seriously, it's not rocket science...) technical divers do it all the time with drysuits, cannister light, multiple stage tanks and dpvs... The benefits of sharing a 2nd stage attached to a long hose are far greater than any potential dangers... By the way: you should not let any diver grab your 2nd stage, you handle it to him, otherwise you risk loosing a couple of teeth, maybe your mask, etc... The video on the air sharing drill shows an enormous lack of skill: pulling the regulator out of the diver's buddy mouth, the long hose deployment, if the guy was panicking he would probably choke his buddy... Here is how it's properly done: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3q5h5yug7Gkn6s

[@diogoferreira9039]

Mr X was the HOG regulators designer = was the person who copied scubapro mk19, mk25, apeks DS4 and DS4 with turret, and the xtx 2nd stages from APEKS, which have been copied by Hog and so many others (diverite, hollis, tds, dgx, ist, dolphin dive, etc...)... How different is the vortex system from a ventury leaver? (I bet it's exactly the same)... How different is the inside of the 2nd stage from an apeks ats, xtx, tx? Can you switch the internal parts between the two?... As for the price, it's outrageously expensive for what is probably a counterfeit apeks regulator... There are cheaper options that will deliver the same performance... Speaking of performance, is there a breathing work chart that a potential user can consult, or we should just go ahead and look at the performace charts of an apeks ds4+xtx50/xtx200 regulator set?

[@deep6-expeditiondivegear407]

Unfortunately, this is an often repeated bit of misinformation with regard to our regulators at Deep6. The Signature regulator designs are our own, as are our custom internal components and improvements. The internal components on the second stage are not interchangeable, as the internal vortex system was developed by us and is brand exclusive. All the best and happy diving!

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

Thanks for the feedback and comment Deep6... I'd like to review your BP/W next. That fabric you've got them made out of is damned sexy!

[@akant74]

Does this mean HOG is dead in the regulator world?

[@DeeferDivingCarriacou]

No. HOG is very much still alive and well and will likely still continue to develop new regs too. It's just that the creative team which created HOG separated and went in different directions - which means we as divers get the benefit of more choice