The Best Sidemount Regulator Sets

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 sets available.

For the average novice sidemount diver, there are some distinct advantages to buying a complete set-up rather than attempting to source and obtain individual components.  You do, however, need to look closely at what’s included with these set-ups 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 regulator 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 length
• A short hose of 24-28cm 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.

Apeks XTX50 Sidemount Regulators Set

Price: $1189.00 (£891 GBP)

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 for 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 Apeks XTX sidemount regulator set contains:

• 2x XTX50 DIN Regulators
• 1x 83″/210 long hose (nylon braided)
• 1x 24″/60cm short hose (nylon braided)
• 2x Brass SPG with 6″ rubber hoses
• 2x 8″ LPI hoses
• 1x 90 degree adaptor
• 1x Bungee Necklace
• 1x 75mm S/S Boltsnap (for long hose)
• 1x Regulator Bag
• 5 x Cable ties
• 5 x O ring
• 1 x 700mm Bungee Cord

Specifications:

Connection Type: DIN 300bar
1st Stage Design: Environmentally sealed, over-balanced diaphragm
1st Stage Material:  Chrome plated brass
No. HP Ports: 2
No. LP Ports: 5
5th/Bottom Port: Yes
Swivel: Yes
Cold Water Rated: Yes
2nd Stage Convertible LH/RH:  Yes

Manufacturer Link:  Apeks Sidemount Regulators

 

Apeks MTR-X Sidemount Regulator Set

Price: £1360GBP ($1800USD)

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 initial review HERE

The Apeks MTR-X sidemount regulator 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

Connection Type: DIN 300bar
1st Stage Design: Environmentally sealed, over-balanced diaphragm
1st Stage Material:  Satin-chrome plated brass
No. HP Ports: 2
No. LP Ports: 5
5th/Bottom Port: Yes
Swivel: Yes
Cold Water Rated: Yes – extreme cold water rated
2nd Stage Convertible LH/RH:  Yes

Manufacturer Link:  Link currently removed from Apeks website

 

ScubaPro Mk25/G260 Sidemount Regulator 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 have put together a set comprising the latest MK25 Evo first stages and lightweight G260 second stages (the successor to the G250).

Scubapro Mk25 are 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 Scubapro sidemount regulator set contains:

• 2x Mk25 EVO DIN 1st Stage Regulators
• 2x G260 2nd Stage Regulators
• 2 x compact SPG
• 2 x 20cm SPG hoses
• 2 x  20cm LPI hoses
• 2 x BPI quick coupling
• 2 x DIN plug
• 1 x 64cm Short Hose
• 1 x 210cm Long Hose
• 1 x 120° Angle Adapter
• 1 x necklace

Specifications:

Connection Type: DIN 300bar
1st Stage Design: Balanced Piston
1st Stage Material:  Chrome plated brass
No. HP Ports: 2
No. LP Ports: 5
5th/Bottom Port: Yes
Swivel: Yes
Cold Water Rated: Yes
2nd Stage Convertible LH/RH:  Yes

Vendor Website:  Simply Scuba UK – ScubaPro Sidemount Regulator Package

 

Hollis DCX Sidemount Regulator Set

The Hollis sidemount regulators definitely scoop the budget award, coming in at less than half the cost of some other sidemount regulator sets on the market.  These are a good option for recreational sidemount divers, who might have a lot of kit to buy when first converting to sidemount diving.

Dive Gear Express, in the USA, offer an alternative set-up…. I’ve listed the details below.

Price: $549.00 (Dive Gear Express Custom Set)

The Hollis sidemount regulator set contains:

• 2x 200LX 2nd Stage Regulators (DGX Custom uses 212 Adjustable 2nd Stage)
• 2x DCX 1st Stage Regulators (DGX Custom uses DC1 Swivel 1st Stage)
• 2x  Brass SPGs
• 2x 6″ HP Hoses
• 1x 84″ Long Hose  (DGX Custom gives option of  60″/1.5 m or 84″/ 2.1 m hoses)
• 1x 36″ Short Hose (DGX Custom supplies 22″/56 cm hose)
• 1x Adjustable Necklace
• 1x 3″ Bolt-Snap

Specifications:

Connection Type: DIN 300bar
1st Stage Design: Environmentally sealed, over-balanced diaphragm
1st Stage Material:  Chrome plated brass
No. HP Ports: 2
No. LP Ports: 5
5th/Bottom Port: Yes
Swivel: Yes
Cold Water Rated: Yes
2nd Stage Convertible LH/RH:  Yes

Manufacturer Website: Hollis Sidemount Regulator Kit

 

DiveRite Nomad XT Sidemount Regulators Set

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.

Price: $799.00 (Dive Gear Express DiveRite Sidemount Regulators)

The DiveRite Nomad XT sidemount regulator set contains:

• 2x XT1 1st Stage Regulators
• 1x XT2 2nd Stage Regulator, right-hand
• XT2 2nd Stage Regulator, left-hand
• 60″  Long Hose (Braided Nylon)
• 22″ Short Hose (Braided Nylon)
• 2x 90 degree adapter
• 2x Compact SPG with 6: hose
• 1x Regulator necklace
• 1x Small swivel bolt snap
• 1x Hose clip retainer

Tecline R2-Tec Sidemount Regulators Set

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 regulator set contains:

• 2 x  R2 ICE 1st Stage Regulators
• 2 x s R5 nd Stage Regulators
• 2 x Mini-bar O2 pressure gauge 300 with 20 cm Proflex HP hoses
• 1 x 63ccm Short Hose (Nylon Braided)
• 1 x 210cm Long Hose (Nylon Braided)
• 2 x 20cm LPI Hoses (Nylon Braided)
• 1 x 90 ° Swivel Adapter
• 1 x 76 mm S/S Bolt Snap

Specifications:

Connection Type: DIN 300b
1st Stage Design: Balanced Membrane
1st Stage Material:  Bronze
No. HP Ports: 2
No. LP Ports: 4
5th/Bottom Port: Yes
Swivel: Yes
Cold Water Rated: Yes
2nd Stage Convertible LH/RH:  Not Known

Product Link:  Tecline Sidemount Regulators

 

Agir-Brokk Sidemount Regulators Set

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 travelling divers using rental tanks – as most DIN tanks will have 300 bar valves on them.

Price: Not Listed on Website

The Agir-Brokk sidemount regulator 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

UTD Sidemount Regulators Set

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 set-up is probably far more complex, confusing and expensive that you need it to be.   However, you can always buy the regulators and hoses separately and make a good set-up.

The UTD sidemount regulator set contains:

• 2x PZ-1 1st Stage Regulators
• 2x BZ-2 2nd Stage Regulators

He has published numerous diving magazine articles, designed courses for dive training agencies and tests/reviews dive gear for scuba equipment manufacturers. He 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.