What's the best?
A lot of customers come in my shop and ask "What's the best regulator you carry?" Unfortunately, there is no real good pat answer for that question. If you walk into most shops and ask that question, the sales person will inevitable point you to the most expensive reg on the wall... but that might be doing you an injustice.That is a lot like asking "What's the best vehicle?"... The answer depends on a lot of variables. If you are hauling sheet rock, a pickup truck would be better than a Corvette, but if you want to go fast... well you get it.
So in answer to "What is the best?" you have to answer a question with a question... "What kind of diving do you want to do?" - Let's find the best regulator for your diving needs.
I need to pause now and say that the following is based on my opinion. You have every right to disagree... it's just what I feel. And my opinion is based on diving for over 20 years, and being an Instructor Trainer who has taught hundreds of Open Water divers, Nitrox divers, and a multitude of Advanced, Rescue, Divemasters, Instructors, plus many speciality divers. ...but still it's just my opinion.
Probably right about now you are saying.."Yea, but your also a store owner, and you are going to endorse what you sell." You are both right and wrong. Actually I sell what I endorse. When I decided to open my shop, I took bunches of regulators, bcd's, fins, masks, even defog on a dive trip to Grand Cayman. (somebody had to do it!) I then dove them all in all kinds of diving situations - deep, shallow, short, long, easy dive, working dive etc.
Upon returning I called up all the manufactures claiming I had problems, and checked to see how, and how fast they would fix the problem. I then attended repair seminars for all the brands that had passed my test thus far - so I could see how the "guts" were put together. After finishing this I decided what brands I wanted to carry, and ended up with four regulator brands...Apollo, Atomic,Tusa, and Poseidon.
So which is the best for you? Each brand has some features and advantages so depending on your needs, one of these regulators is probably right for you... but which one?
TUSA - If you want a work-horse regulator that breaths good, easy to service, the best warranty and all at an affordable price - you can't beat the Tusa TR series regulators. In fact, I'm so impressed with these regs, we use for them for
and they are the regulators we also use for 
.
Poseidon - Now if you don't mind spending a little more money, and you want the most air - you need a Poseidon Odin. I have never seen anything that can match an Odin as far as sheer air output. If deep diving is going to be on your agenda, you got to have an Odin. From the factory they are set up for 100% O2 with all viton o-rings and oxygen compatible lubricants. They breathe great (especially at depth) and I like the way the bubbles vent off to the side. The reg comes with the Yoke and Din adapters, and includes a Regulator bag. This is my choice if working hard, going deep, or wanting to impress your friends.
Apollo - The Apollo regulator is sorta' in a class by itself. Not quite the air out put of a Poseidon, but it does perform great! With it's two way adjustment, (crack pressure and venturi adjustments) you won't be disappointed in the air out put. But the main thing the Apollo gives you is comfort. With a swivel at the second stage, and a filter moisture chamber, you get to breath humidified air throughout the dive. No more dry mouth!!
Atomic - The Atomic regulators are rated number 1 by Rodale Magazine two years running now. In all tests they out perform any other regulator out there. They are extrememly inovative with patented venturi adjustments, titanium wave washers and more. But this performance brings with it the price... These rigs - depending on model, run from $600 to well over $1000 for just a first and second stage. But smooth....
The Verdict - So which do I dive?? I use the Tusa regs for training units for their ease of repair and work horse quality at a reasonable price. I dive my Poseidon Odin for max air flow if I'm diving deep, or working hard, I use the Apollo with the moisture feature to avoid de-hydration, and I pull out my Atomic for daily use - and to make others jealous. So you decide... What's the best regulator - for you? Come on in and we'll help you decide.