A greater number of scuba equipment manufacturers are now offering dedicated sidemount regulator sets. Here is my guide to some of the best sidemount regulators set available.
For the average novice sidemount diver, there are some distinct advantages to buying a complete sidemount regulators set rather than attempting to source and obtain individual components. You do, however, need to look closely at what’s included with these sidemount regulators and make sure that it’s appropriate for the BCD and configuration you will use. If in doubt, consult your sidemount instructor (or drop me a line!).
The components of a typical sidemount regulators set include:
Two 1st Stage Regulators, ideally incorporating a swivel and 5th (end) IP port.
Two 2nd Stage Regulators
A long hose of 1.5 to 2m in length
A short hose of 24-28cm in length
An LPI hose (bottom routed LPI BCDs need an 8-12″, depending on chest size)
Two SPGs (small, flat SPGs are generally best)
Two 6-9″ SPG HP Hoses
A Bungee or Rubber Necklace
An angle adaptor for the short hose regulator (70-90 degrees)
A bolt snap and attachment for the long hose regulator.
There are some approaches to sidemount that don’t use a ‘conventional’ long/short hose arrangement; preferring shorter hoses routed directly to the mouth from each side (ambidextrous 2nd stages). This is normally for cave and solo sidemount diving, although at least one training agency is now advocating donating cylinders (with short hoses) rather than donating a long hose. The DiveRite system listed below gives an option for that.
Price at only $880, the Deep 6 sidemount regulator package represents excellent value for money. When ordering the set, you are given a lot of options in regards to hose lengths, SPG types, etc…. making it a good option for sidemount, where one approach doesn’t fit everyone. Read my detailed Deep6 sidemount regulator review.
The Deep6 Signature sidemount regulators set contains:
2 x Balanced Diaphragm 1st Stages
2 x Balanced 2nd Stages
2 x High Visibility SPGs (1.5″, 2.0″, or 2.5″)
2 x LP Regulator Hoses (20″ – 84″)
2 x LP Inflator Hoses (9″ – 36″)
2 x HP SPG hoses (6″ or 9″)
1x Regulator protective dry box
Deep6 sidemount regulators set specifications:
Connection Type: Optional DIN 300bar or Yoke 1st Stage Design: Balanced diaphragm 1st Stage Material: Chrome and PVD-coated marine-grade brass No. HP Ports: 2 No. LP Ports: 5 5th/Bottom Port: Yes Swivel: Yes Cold Water Rated: Yes 2nd Stage Convertible LH/RH: No
The Apeks sidemount is probably the market leader in sidemount regulator sets, and deservedly so. The set comes complete with everything you need for a slick set-up. It pairs very well with ‘Mexico Cave’ (British) style rigs…
Many of my students attend courses with these regulators and, thus far, they’ve been immensely successful. Apeks have a high reputation for quality and it is easy to get them serviced or repaired anywhere around the globe.
The XTX first stage is basically a DST with the optional swivel and end port. If putting your own set together, you could also use the upgraded DST regulators.
The only thing I don’t like about the Apeks sidemount regulator set-up is that it uses nylon braided hoses. These are generally less popular with technical divers and there have been some safety issues with them (read HERE). If possible, ask your vendor if you can opt for rubber regulator hoses.
The MTR-X is Apeks’ latest regulator design that is designed and optimized for very cold water reliability. The 1st stages are turret designed with 5th/end-port; making them optimal for most sidemount hose configurations I’m glad to see that Apeks is releasing this sidemount set with rubber hoses, rather than the braided hose that used to be included with their older XTX sidemount set. Read more in my Apeks MTR-X review.
The Apeks MTR-X sidemount regulators set contains:
2x MTR-X DIN Regulators
1x 83″/210 long hose (rubber)
1x 24″/60cm short hose (rubber)
2x Brass SPG with 6″ rubber hoses
1x 8″ LPI hose
1x 6″ LPI hose
1x 90-degree adaptor
1x 75mm S/S Boltsnap (for long hose)
2 sets of diver interchangeable exhaust ‘T’
5 x Cable ties
1 x 700mm Bungee Cord
Apeks MTR-X sidemount regulators set specifications
Manufacturer Link: Link currently removed from Apeks website
ScubaPro Mk25/G260 Sidemount Regulators Set
Price: $1319.00 (£989 GBP)
I’ve dived with Scubapro Mk25/S600 regulators for over 12 years, both sidemount and backmount. It’s surprising that Scubapro hasn’t copied Apeks and other manufacturers to release a dedicated sidemount set. However, Simply Scuba in the UK has put together a set comprising the latest MK25 Evo first stages and lightweight G260 second stages (the successor to the G250).
Scubapro Mk25 is an awesome first stage, offering excellent performance for high-demand diving. They are also very well configured for sidemount use, with a swivel and 5th (End) port. If you cannot find a sidemount set available, then this is one brand to consider putting your own set together with.
The Hollis sidemount regulators definitely scoop the budget award, coming in at less than half the cost of some other sidemount regulators sets on the market. These are a good option for recreational sidemount divers, who might have a lot of dive gear to buy when first converting to sidemount diving.
Dive Gear Express, in the USA, offers an alternative set-up…. I’ve listed the details below.
The DiveRite XT Nomad sidemount regulators are designed for a sidemount configuration that doesn’t utilize an ‘around the neck’ (Hogartian) regulator hose approach. Retailer Dive Gear Express does give options on hoses though – so you can specify more conventional hose lengths if desired.
Tecline is less well known in the USA but has started to gain interest in Europe. Their R2 Tec regulators are reminiscent of the Apeks XTX, but at a much cheaper price. The version of 1st stage sold with the sidemount set is cold-water rated.
Price: $740.00 (€659.00)
The Tecline sidemount regulators set contains:
2 x R2 ICE 1st Stage Regulators
2 x s R5 2nd Stage Regulators
2 x Mini-bar O2 pressure gauge 300 with 20 cm Proflex HP hoses
Agir-Brokk has a strong reputation for quality in the technical diving community, but their products are often difficult to source. These regulators don’t have a price listed on the Agir-Brokk website. Perhaps that quality is so high that if you need to ask the price – then you probably cannot afford them.
For some reason, the regulators are only available in an uncommon 230 bar DIN fitting. This means you can use them on 200-bar valves, but won’t be able to use 300-bar cylinders. That’s a drawback for traveling divers using rental tanks – as most DIN tanks will have 300 bar valves on them.
Price: Not Listed on Website
The Agir-Brokk sidemount regulators set contains:
2x V10 1st Stages
2x 2nd Stages
2 x “Deco” SPGs
2x 6″ HP hoses
1x 83″/210cm Long Hose
1x 29″ 74cm Short Hose
2x 8″/20cm LPI Hose
1x Bolt-snap
The Agir-Brokk sidemount regulators set specifications:
Atomics has a very high reputation for its regulators, and this reflects in the price. The performance often rates at the top end in comparative regulator tests. With proven performance, the only real drawback is that some divers might find it harder to find a center for service/repair when traveling in less developed regions.
Poseidon doesn’t offer a sidemount regulator package, but USA online dealer ‘Dive Gear Express’ has put together a complete set. Poseidon regulators are renowned for their ample gas delivery and reliable performance in cold water conditions. The one drawback to this set is that the 1st stages don’t feature a swivel or 5th (end) port. This can cause hose-routing problems with some sidemount configurations.
Price: $1099.00
The DGX Poseidon sidemount regulators set contains:
UTD are popular as sidemount regulators, but they sell them as part of their unique ‘Z-System’ which makes use of an isolated manifold and QR6 disconnects. If you aren’t a UTD-trained sidemount diver, then that sidemount regulator setup is probably far more complex, confusing, and expensive than you need it to be. However, you can always buy the regulators and hoses separately and make a good set-up.
HOG is a very popular economical tech scuba brand in the USA. The D3/Zenith set is an upgrade of the older D1/Classic sidemount regulator set. I’ve had a few students on training courses who had the older HOG regulator sets – there were a few quality control issues raised. I personally didn’t like the HOG mouthpiece… I think it’s too soft and flexible (but that’s easily changed).
Andy Davis is a RAID, PADI TecRec, ANDI, BSAC, and SSI-qualified independent technical diving instructor who specializes in teaching sidemount, trimix, and advanced wreck diving courses.
Currently residing in Subic Bay, Philippines; he has amassed more than 10,000 open-circuit and CCR dives over three decades of challenging diving across the globe.
Andy has published numerous diving magazine articles and designed advanced certification courses for several dive training agencies, He regularly tests and reviews new dive gear for scuba equipment manufacturers. Andy is currently writing a series of advanced diving books and creating a range of tech diving clothing and accessories.
Prior to becoming a professional technical diving educator in 2006, Andy was a commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force and has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Belize, and Cyprus.
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Completed my SDI sidemount course recently, and loved the sidemount configuration overall!
I am seriously considering getting the Tecline R2 Sidemount set. I plan to do some cave diving, but living in a tropical country, won’t be doing cold water dives (I really don’t want to fuss around with a drysuit anytime soon).
I can’t seem to find reviews on Tecline (most things sidemount are difficult to find reviews on). Would I be fine using Tecline R2 for cave dives?
There is also a Set from Mares based on XR28. Have not dived it yet but it’s on my purchase list ahead of Apeks due to the exchangeable valve seat.
Hi There,
Completed my SDI sidemount course recently, and loved the sidemount configuration overall!
I am seriously considering getting the Tecline R2 Sidemount set. I plan to do some cave diving, but living in a tropical country, won’t be doing cold water dives (I really don’t want to fuss around with a drysuit anytime soon).
I can’t seem to find reviews on Tecline (most things sidemount are difficult to find reviews on). Would I be fine using Tecline R2 for cave dives?
There is also a Set from Mares based on XR28. Have not dived it yet but it’s on my purchase list ahead of Apeks due to the exchangeable valve seat.