TeamDoug2015 wrote: ↑Sat Apr 14, 2018 2:49 pm
Thanks for your insight. BTW you put together a handsome faux 62.
Doug
The Deluxe is a great thick thing, unlike its older and younger sibs. The Scuba has both horns on the top can and a simple cover over the diaphragm, allowing for a very thin reg. The GL had one horn per half, but is more streamlined than the Deluxe, being nearly as svelte as the rev1 Scuba. A real improvement in the way the can halves mate was incorporated in the GL, as well as the other noted upgrades.
People disparage the original Scuba, but it was a good breathing regulator and performs adequately even with the original 1" mouthpiece. Admittedly, the small diameter hoses, mouthpiece, and nonreturn valves choke down the potential performance, With a larger diameter hose loop or a Hope Page mouthpiece on the 1" hoses, it is better than adequate. I add a duckbill to the exhaust horn to stop any water intrusion in the exhaust hose in certain positions, and it does cause negligible back pressure on the exhale. The real problem with the Scuba is the exhaust diaphragm, but lacking a good OEM diaphragm, one can be retrofitted quite successfully with sheet rubber and RTV.
I have had at least a dozen of these (and still have several that I dive) and have played around with them extensively. I have made mods that bring it close to the performance of a Mistral (repositioning the HP valve, adding an air director, and using a Hope Page mouthpiece). It is also possible to make a balanced Healthways HP valve using some Conshelf valve parts, but that goes a bit beyond the pale.
Liking the Scuba is not a popular position to take on this site. But, my experience with them is probably greater than that of the disparagers. The Healthways line of regulators, including the DivAir, are good performing regulators, and are certainly worthy of being included in anyone's collection. I have two Deluxes, 3 GLs, and two DivAirs (one alloy, one fiberglass) in addition to the 5 Scubas I mentioned above, all in excellent, dive-ready condition.