I'm looking at some regs at the moment. Some have adjustable flow, some don't. How often do you use it? Would you class it as "vital" or something you rarely touch?

I've never had an issue with my regs that don't have them, but I have used ones with. I think it depends on the types of diving you are doing and how much £s you want to spend. Generally I think the venturi controls are good when doing deep dives and for your octopus to make free flows less likely.

When I eventually upgrade mine it is probably something I'll look for.

Never use them, I have regs with them but they're all set to maximum flow.

Interesting. When I was in the dive shop the guy was basically telling me to buy the best regs I could afford.. I dunno. I just want something that works, safe and can do nitrox with

My regulator has this option. I use it on all my boat dives. I use low flow when I jump in the water and then I adjust to maximum flow just before I go under. I find this useful when I use a snorkel waiting for other divers. It stops all surface free flows.

thetafferboy wrote:

Most regs out of the box will do 40%. Any reg is fine.

I use Mares Abyss regs, no flow controls yet will supply enough air for anyone. Can be modified for cold water, Yoke/DIN 232/DIN 300B and is solid.

For stage cylinders I like Aqualung Calypso regs which are a tough breath and very unlikely to free-flow.

Komodo, the flow control is supposed to be used exactly what you use it for. High performance regs can freeflow if used as an octopus, rarely if it's in your mouth when you go into the water.