If your current thinking of replacing your outdated scuba regulator or considering buying one for the first time. You should defiantly consider putting the Aqua Lung Core Scuba Regulator on your shortlist.
Aqua Lung claims this mid-range priced scuba regulator offers superior breathing performance; when coupled with numerous advanced features, it offers the best value of any regulator system on the market today.
It also comes in two versions, a regular version and a supreme version which rated for cold water diving.
In this review, we are going to look at both versions of the regulator, why it stands out from other regulators in its price range, and what we like and don’t like.
Manufacturer: AquaLung.com
Our Score:
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Summary:
The Aqua Lung Core Regulator is a great mid-range regulator that offers excellent breathing performance in both warm and cold water conditions. A great choice if your a new diver just starting out but robust enough for more intermediate to advanced diving.
Aqua Lung Core Supreme Review: Video
The guys over at Southern Maryland Divers did a great job of reviewing the Aqua Lung Core Supreme. In the review and unboxing, you can get a closer look at the regulator and some of its key features.
Aqua Lung Core Review: Best Features and Benefit
Auto Closure Device (ACD)
A neat feature of this regulator is the Auto Closure Device (ACD) that seals the regulator’s inlet as soon as it’s removed from the dive tank. This keeps corrosive water and contaminants out of the First Stage during rinsing and storage.
This also helps maintain lubrication on internal parts, ensuring that the regulator works at peak performance over a longer period of time.
Comfo-bite™ mouthpiece
The Comfo-bite™ mouthpiece is specially designed to reduce jaw fatigue. This mouthpiece fits right into your denture and fixes itself on the roof of your mouth, so you won’t have to bite down to hold on to it and have jaw pain afterward. It also comes with a reusable clamp and a lip cover (Supreme version) that protects your lip from cold temperatures.
Heat Exchanger
The steel swivel that connects the rubber hose to the second stage, which also surrounds its valve mechanism, is framed with multiple heat sinks. They absorb the heat from the surrounding waters and dissipate the cold generated when the gas expands.
Venturi Switch
It also features a large Venturi switch that can easily be adjusted even while wearing thick gloves. The Venturi System is there to prevent unwanted free-flow on the surface while delivering optimum performance at depth.
Aqua Lung Core Supreme
The Aqua Lung Core Supreme is more tuned for cold water diving and is also environmentally sealed. It comes equipped with a lip shield on the second stage which many divers find effective at keeping your lips warm at cooler temperatures.
Check the Price of the Aqua Lung Core Supreme on recommend retailers site:
Aqua Lung Core Review: Specifications
1st Stage Type | Balanced Diaphragm |
High Pressure Ports | 2 |
Low Pressure Ports | 4 |
Environmentally Sealed | Supreme Version |
2nd Stage Type | Balanced |
Adjustable Inhalation | |
Adjustable Venturi | |
Nitrox Compatible | |
Cold Water Rated | Supreme Version |
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Aqua Lung Core Regulator: Our Rating
Design
Sleek, simple and lightweight. "T" shape of the first stage allows for multiple hose routing option.
Functionality
Deliver excellent breathing performance at a wide range of breathing rates and depths.
Durability
Good Solid Construction. ACD system ensure that it performs at peak for longer period of time.
Price
Exactly what you would expect from a mid priced regulator with performance matching More expensive regulators.
What We Like
The Core has a very simple, lightweight, symmetric design with an easy to push purge button that covers the entire face of the second stage. It offers exceptional breathing performance at a wide range of breathing rates and depth, leading to it winning Scuba Lab’s testers choice for 2015.
However, the thing we like the most about this regulator is the ACD system. Especially after my regulator was accidentally dunked with the dust cap off. This is a feature I would love to see other manufacturers develop on their regulators.
What We Don’t Like
It would be great if this regulator had an adjustable inhalation knob to fine tune your breathing resistance because it’s present on the Core. This is expected from regulators in this price range and does not affect the performance of the regulator in any way.
But, if having this feature is a must for you, its available on Aqua lung’s higher-end regulator the Legend LX and LUX and other high-end dive regulators like the Scubapro Mk25 Evo A700 and the Sherwood SR2.
Who Should Buy the Aqua Lung Core?
The Aqua Lung Core is a great, lightweight, cold water (Supreme Version) regulator that delivers excellent breathing performance due to its balanced properties. Set at an affordable price point, it’s a great buy if you’re a new diver just starting out or if your upgrading your regulator system to a more modern lightweight design.
The normal version will work perfectly in all recreational diving conditions. However, if you are planning on diving in water colder than 50°F (10°C) then the Supreme version would be the best choice.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this regulator a good chose for inexperience divers?
Is the supreme version usable in warm water too?
Is It available in both Din and Yoke?
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is, the Aqua Lung Core is one of the best mid-priced scuba regulators that delivers excellent breathing performance in both warm and cold water conditions (Supreme Version). I would definitely recommend this reg for beginner divers who would like to get more out of there diving or as an upgrade to newer dated regulator system.
Do you have any experience with the Aqua Lung Core or Core Supreme, good or bad, please feel free to share in the comments below.
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