Post by surflung on Jun 24, 2016 12:55:51 GMT -8
VCR2 and VCR5 vs. Mistral
- I thought I'd share a little tidbit of knowledge I learned in the process of restoring a couple of VCR2s (Voit 50 Fathom Compensated Regulator). The VCR2 and VCR5 are "Downstream" single stages. Meaning, the valve opens WITH the airflow and is held shut by spring pressure. The VCR5s have blue plastic cans and the VCR2s have brass cans finished in either metallic blue paint or shiney chrome. Theses regulators actually breathe easiest at full tank pressure and get harder to breathe as the tank pressure goes down.
- The Mistral, on the other hand, is an "Upstream" single stage. Meaning, the valve opens AGAINST the airflow and is held shut by tank pressure. These Mistral regulators breathe hardest at full tank pressure and easier as the tank pressure goes down.
- Greg Barlow was a big help in telling me how to Set up the "VCR" downstream regulators for easiest breathing. Mine have the large Venturi port pointing directly into the inhale hose and the super sensitive VDH silicone diaphragms. And, I can induce free flow at full tank pressure by simply kissing the mouthpiece! I have a Phoenix HPR that will do that but nothing else. So, my opinion is very high of how easy breathing the Voit 50 Fathom VCR2 and VCR5 regs are.
- However, Greg once told me that he breathes his tanks down to 700 with the VCR2 and then switches to a Mistral to breathe the rest of the way down to empty... Using the easiest breathing range of downstream and then upstream regs. Which made me wonder how bad could the VCR2 get if I breathed it down to empty?
- Well, I tried it a couple of times while picking up sticks under the dock. I think the difficulty starts to feel like any other reg feels when it's time to pull your reserve. I wasn't exerting myself very much so I wasn't putting much demand on it and breathed right down to empty. I don't feel it gets bad enough to have to quit using a VCR2 at 700 psi. Since that test, I have dived my VCR5s right down to the reserve level and pulled the lever to finish a dive with nearly 0 psi. I breathed these regulators down to reserve level and beyond at least two times at the Sea Hunt Forever Show in Silver Springs, Florida. I love 'em.
- I thought I'd share a little tidbit of knowledge I learned in the process of restoring a couple of VCR2s (Voit 50 Fathom Compensated Regulator). The VCR2 and VCR5 are "Downstream" single stages. Meaning, the valve opens WITH the airflow and is held shut by spring pressure. The VCR5s have blue plastic cans and the VCR2s have brass cans finished in either metallic blue paint or shiney chrome. Theses regulators actually breathe easiest at full tank pressure and get harder to breathe as the tank pressure goes down.
- The Mistral, on the other hand, is an "Upstream" single stage. Meaning, the valve opens AGAINST the airflow and is held shut by tank pressure. These Mistral regulators breathe hardest at full tank pressure and easier as the tank pressure goes down.
- Greg Barlow was a big help in telling me how to Set up the "VCR" downstream regulators for easiest breathing. Mine have the large Venturi port pointing directly into the inhale hose and the super sensitive VDH silicone diaphragms. And, I can induce free flow at full tank pressure by simply kissing the mouthpiece! I have a Phoenix HPR that will do that but nothing else. So, my opinion is very high of how easy breathing the Voit 50 Fathom VCR2 and VCR5 regs are.
- However, Greg once told me that he breathes his tanks down to 700 with the VCR2 and then switches to a Mistral to breathe the rest of the way down to empty... Using the easiest breathing range of downstream and then upstream regs. Which made me wonder how bad could the VCR2 get if I breathed it down to empty?
- Well, I tried it a couple of times while picking up sticks under the dock. I think the difficulty starts to feel like any other reg feels when it's time to pull your reserve. I wasn't exerting myself very much so I wasn't putting much demand on it and breathed right down to empty. I don't feel it gets bad enough to have to quit using a VCR2 at 700 psi. Since that test, I have dived my VCR5s right down to the reserve level and pulled the lever to finish a dive with nearly 0 psi. I breathed these regulators down to reserve level and beyond at least two times at the Sea Hunt Forever Show in Silver Springs, Florida. I love 'em.
