Product Review: Oceanic Alpha 10 SPX Yoke + DIN Regulator

Written by Fernando Lopez

Published on May 20, 2020

The folks over at Oceanic have redesigned their popular line of scuba diving regulators with the Alpha 10 SPX. Available in Yoke and DIN variations, this affordable but competent regulator is EN250A-certified for its octopus-sharing and easy-breathing capabilities.

The Alpha 10 SPX is simple, economical, and highly durable, making it one of the best scuba regulators today. Divers will find breathing effortless, while the compact and durable design makes the Alpha 10 SPX easy to maintain and service.

What We Love About the Oceanic Alpha 10 sPX Regulator

Compact & EN250A-Certified

The SPX in the Alpha 10 refers to the redesigned regulator in the first stage. It now has a compact design and ribbings that help draw out heat from the surrounding water. This prevents the components from icing during cold water diving. The regulator design has an EN250A certification, making it approved for use in 4°C waters.

Unbalanced Flow-by Piston First Stage Design

The first stage of the Alpha 10 SPX has an unbalanced piston design. It is simple and affordable, thanks to a lower part count than balanced regulators. Even if there is a first-stage failure, its fail-safe design allows the regulator to deliver air still. The unbalanced diving regulator design is much better suited to recreational and shallow water diving as divers exert the same effort in breathing at depths of 20 meters or less.

The first stage comprises triple-chromed marine-grade brass for added durability and longevity. It has four LP and 2 HP ports with 3/8″ and 7/16″ threads. Divers can route hoses optimally thanks to the angled LP ports.

Two Available First-Stage Fittings

The Alpha 10 SPX can be bought and fitted with a DIN or Yoke Regulator. Yoke or A-clamp regulators attach directly on top of the tank valve using a metal brace and tighten by using its yoke screw. On the other hand, DIN (Deutsche Industrie Norm) regulators don’t require additional braces on the tank valve. Instead, it screws into the inside of the tank valve using a threaded post.

Yoke regulators are often used with flatter tanks with O-rings pressed into a minor groove on the flat side of the tank valve. DIN regulators require tanks that have larger threaded openings. This bigger opening allows the DIN regulator to be screwed inside the tank valve easily.

Yoke regulators are more common and are primarily used in recreational diving. On the other hand, DIN regulators are mainly used on deeper dives as they can handle higher pressures than yoke regulators, making them more suitable for high-pressure tanks.

So, depending on the tank valve you’re using or the kind of dive that you’re going to do, the Oceanic Alpha 10 SPX can be fitted with the appropriate regulator easily.

Adjustable Venturi Switch

Another feature of the Alpha 10 SPX is its adjustable dive and pre-dive switch. This switch allows you to control free flow while underwater and easily manipulate the venturi effect to assist with breathing. Located in the regulator’s second stage, this switch helps prevent unwanted free flow when diving from a boat, swimming into a current, or entering the water from the shore. It is easy to toggle whether you are in or out of the water.

Pneumatically Balanced Second Stage Valve System

The second stage of the Alpha 10 SPX has a pneumatically balanced design. While most pneumatically balanced second-stage designs are more commonly seen on high-end regulators, Oceanic brings it to their more economical Alpha 10 SPX. Conventional second stages use a spring to prevent a free flow when breathing. However, this spring also makes breathing more difficult as you use up more air trying to overcome the closing of the spring. This spring system is better suited to deeper dives as shallow dives will make the spring tension stronger than it needs to be.

A pneumatically balanced system for the regulator’s second stage means surrounding the spring in an air pocket. The air pressure inside this pocket increases as you dive deeper and decreases as you ascend. This makes the spring stronger or weaker as needed, ensuring minimal effort (and less air consumption) when cracking the second stage to breathe, regardless of your current depth.

Another slight advantage of the Alpha 10 SPX’s unbalanced design is that it’s easier to tell if you’re running low on air supply. The breathing resistance produced by unbalanced regulators increases as you go deeper or your tank pressure drops. Divers often use this restriction to indicate that their tank pressure is low. This way, you can plan your ascent carefully.