Sherwood SR2 regulator – Comprehensive Product Review


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For scuba divers, the dive regulator is one of the most important pieces of equipment you will purchase. Your regulator is your lifeline as it is what makes breathing possible underwater. When selecting a regulator there are several factors to consider, but one of the most important to consider is if you will need a regulator that is designed to function in cold water. If you regularly dive in cold water or harsh conditions, you will have different needs than someone who only dives in warm water and in controlled environments. That’s where the Sherwood SR2 regulator can come in handy.

Fortunately, the regulator industry is very competitive, with lots of companies producing high-quality products at a wide range of prices. In this article we will review one of the most popular regulators on the market: the Sherwood SR2 regulator. We will take a closer look at its features, performance, and design, and then compare it to some similar products on the market to see if it’s the right regulator for you.

What Is the Sherwood SR2 Regulator?

The Sherwood SR2 regulator is a scuba dive regulator set manufactured by Sherwood. The SR2 features a balanced piston first stage design that is environmentally sealed for enhanced cold water protection and to prevent contaminants from being in contact with the internal components of the first stage. This first stage offers exceptional breathing performance regardless of water depth or tank pressure.

The first stage features 2 high-pressure ports and 5 low-pressure ports on a swivel turret for optimal hose routing options and diver mobility. The first stage is constructed from marine grade chrome plated brass. The second stage of the Sherwood SR2 regulator is a pneumatically balanced flow-through design which offers very easy and natural breathing regardless of conditions.

Also, the second stage of the Sherwood SR2 regulator features a conveniently located and easy-to-use breathing resistance knob that makes it easy for the diver to fine tune the breathing resistance.

The purge cover is soft and durable making purging the regulator easy. The second stage of the SR2 is constructed from marine grade chrome plated brass. Overall, this regulator performs very well and is great for beginning divers or more experienced divers that need enhanced cold water protection and want a regulator set that will perform well in harsh conditions. The Sherwood SR2 checks all the boxes:  high-quality design, durability, and breathing performance at a price that won’t break the bank.  

Product Specs

The Sherwood SR2 regulator is a fully balanced regulator set. The first stage is a balanced piston design that features Sherwood’s “Sealed Dry Spring Chamber” which eliminates the need for grease in sealing the first stage from contaminants. The first stage features 2 high-pressure ports and 5 low-pressure ports on a swivel turret and is constructed from marine grade chrome plated brass.

The second stage of the Sherwood SR2 regulator is a pneumatically balanced valve design that features a single adjustment control that allows the diver to adjust the breathing resistance of the regulator without having to make any other adjustments. Also, a venturi adjustment control allows the diver to select dive or pre-dive modes which eliminates free flows that can occur when jumping into the water, etc. The Sherwood SR2 regulator comes with a standard 31-inch hose and is Nitrox compatible up to 40%.

How It Compares

We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.     

[amazon box= “B00Q439TWM,B00PG8TH46,B0000DYQ6G,B0751WLM58″ template=”list”]

Sherwood SR2 Regulator

[amazon box=”B00Q439TWM”]

Ease of Use

The SR2 is a very easy-to-use regulator that offers great breathing performance and easy to adjust breathing resistance that allows the diver to fine tune the performance of this regulator.

Performance

The SR2 offers outstanding breathing performance regardless of tank pressure or changes in depth.

Design Quality

The SR2 is very well designed with its dry sealed first stage and a pneumatically balanced second stage that offers the ultimate in breathing performance. The only drawbacks here are that the mouthpiece that comes with this regulator is small and the second stage is rather heavy.

 Warranty

Sherwood offers a limited two-year warranty on this product.

  PROS

  • Fully balanced first stage
  • Dry sealed first stage
  • Great breathing performance

CONS

  • Some users complain the mouthpiece is too small
  • Second stage is rather heavy
  • Venturi adjustment needed

Mares Abyss 22 Navy

[amazon box=”B00PG8TH46″]

The Mares Abyss 22 Navy is a fully balanced regulator set manufactured by Mares. The first stage is a balanced diaphragm design that is environmentally sealed, which enhances durability and cold water protection. The first stage features Mares’ “Dynamic Flow Control” that adjusts the airflow when tank pressure drops so that breathing is natural and easy. The first stage also features 2 high-pressure ports and 4 low-pressure ports for multiple hose routing options.

The second stage of the Mares Abyss 22 Navy is a demand valve design which offers consistent breathing performance even in harsh environments. The second stage utilizes Mares’ “Vortex Assisted Design” which eliminates the need for a venturi adjustment control. This regulator comes with a braided type hose that is more flexible and stronger than conventional hoses. The Abyss 22 Navy is Nitrox compatible to 40% of 02 and comes with a comfortable silicone mouthpiece. Overall, this regulator offers great performance, especially for divers that routinely dive in cold water or harsh conditions.

Ease of Use

This regulator is very easy to use with its Vortex Assisted Design that eliminates the need for a venturi adjustment.

Performance

This is one of the easiest and most naturally breathing regulators on the market. Most users report that this is the easiest breathing regulator they have ever used.

Design Quality

The Mares Abyss 22 Navy is a very well designed regulator with innovative features. The all metal construction and comfortable mouthpiece make this a very well-designed product.

Warranty

Mares offers a limited two-year warranty on this product.

  PROS

  • Outstanding performance
  • Great cold water performance
  • No venturi adjustment needed

CONS

  • Some users have complained that the Vortex technology feeds too much air into the mouthpiece

​​Cressi AC2/XS2

[amazon box=”B0000DYQ6G”]

The Cressi AC2/XS2 is a lightweight and low-cost regulator set manufactured by Cressi. The AC2/XS2 has a non-balanced flow-by piston design first stage. This first stage is very reliable and easy to use. The AC2/XS2 is a great choice for a new diver’s first regulator or for someone that only dives on occasion in controlled environments. The first stage also features one high-pressure port and 4 low-pressure ports for some flexibility in terms of hose routing options. The first stage is lightweight and constructed of marine grade chrome plated brass.

The second stage of the Cressi AC2/XS2 is a downstream demand valve design that offers very good breathing performance and great dependability. The second stage of this regulator comes with a soft purge cover that allows for easy purging of this regulator. The second stage is constructed from lightweight polymers for added durability and makes the second stage more lightweight. A comfortable silicone mouthpiece is included along with a standard 30-inch hose. This regulator weighs about 35 ounces, with the hose making it very lightweight and compact.

Ease of Use

This regulator offers very good breathing performance in controlled environments and is lightweight, making it very easy to use. 

Performance

This Cressi regulator performs very well and is a great choice for a new diver’s first regulator.

Design Quality

This regulator is very well designed with its piston design first stage and its demand valve second stage. Also, this regulator is designed to be very lightweight and compact. The downside here is the non-balanced design and the lack of a second high-pressure port.

Warranty 

Cressi offers a limited two-year warranty on this product.

  PROS

  • Lightweight
  • Cost
  • Reliable breathing performance

CONS

  • Second stage is constructed from plastic
  • Non-balanced design
  • Venturi adjustment is needed

​Scubapro MK25 EVO

[amazon box=”B0751WLM58″]

The Scubapro MK25 EVO/S620TI is a high-performance regulator manufactured by Scubapro. The first stage is Scubapro’s award-winning MK25 EVO which is an environmentally sealed balanced piston design. This design offers outstanding performance and delivers a steady stream of air to the second stage at extreme water depths and in cold water. The first stage features 2 high-pressure ports and 5 low-pressure ports on a swivel turret for the maximum in hose routing options and diver mobility underwater.

The MK25 EVO is constructed of lightweight marine grade chrome plated brass which is also very durable. The MK25 EVO first stage also offers increased cold water protection due to Scubapro’s finned cap technology that acts as a radiator and transfers heat from the water to the internal parts of the first stage to help warm them up. The second stage of the Scubapro MK25 EVO/S620TI is Scubapro’s S620TI. This second stage is an air-balanced linear valve design that allows for extremely easy breathing regardless of tank pressure or water depth.

The second stage features a breathing resistance adjustment control which helps the diver easily and quickly adjust the breathing resistance of this regulator. The purge cover for this regulator is soft yet durable allowing for easy purging when needed. Also, a venturi pre-dive/dive adjustment switch is included, which helps the diver eliminate free flows that can happen when jumping into the water or swimming in the surf, etc.

The S620TI comes with a comfortable silicone mouthpiece that can handle high air flows without the need to bite down very hard to keep it in place. This increases diver comfort while reducing jaw fatigue that can happen while diving. Overall, the Scubapro MK25 EVO/S620TI is an outstanding regulator for any diver.

Ease of Use

This regulator is very easy to use with its fully balanced design and 5 low-pressure ports on the first stage.

Performance

The breathing performance of this regulator is hard to beat. Also, this regulator offers some of the best cold water performance on the market.

Design Quality

Scubapro has done an excellent job designing this regulator and has gone above and beyond in terms of cold water protection.

Warranty

Scubapro offers a lifetime warranty on this regulator.

  PROS

  • Fully balanced design
  • Enhanced cold water protection
  • Swivel turret for increased diver mobility

CONS

  • Venturi adjustment is needed

Conclusion

Diver is wearing the Sherwood SR2 regulator while diving underwater

Photo by James Thornton on Unsplash

For those that are in the market for a regulator, there are several great products at a wide range of prices. It is important that the diver pair needs with design and features when choosing a regulator. One of the most important considerations is whether you need a regulator that is designed for use in cold water. If you are a cold water diver, then you need to pay special attention to the features and design to ensure the regulator will perform well when you need it to.

The Sherwood SR2 regulator is a very good regulator set that performs well in cold water and at a variety of water depths. The Sherwood SR2 regulator is an outstanding product for any diver and is a great value too.

Featured Image via Sherwood Scuba

Jack Thompson

Jack Thompson, a scuba diving enthusiast from San Diego, has spent over a decade exploring the underwater world across the globe. Sharing his passion through captivating stories and informative articles, Jack aims to inspire others to embark on their own scuba diving adventures and uncover the ocean's hidden treasures. Follow Jack on Twitter, Pinterest, Reddit, and Facebook or email him at Jack@diving-info.com

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