I too have had problems with Oceanic Regulators, very similar to the ones
reported.

When I first read this post, I thought to recommend against all of the
regulators on the list. You're price shopping for life support equipment,
something not often recommended. On second review, there is one on the list
likely to be fine, maybe.

I've had several US Divers/Aqualung regulators, from the balanced first
stage models to some of the higher end options. I've never had a significant
problem with any of them, even back before we knew that we were going to die
if we failed to pay for scheduled service every year. I assume, but can not
confirm, that the Aqualung regulators made today are as reliable as those
made when I bought my first one some 40 plus years ago.

My personally recommendation is to rethink your options. I currently dive
Scuba Pro Regulators. There's a reason they've been one of the top few in
every test almost as long as they've been manufactured. On top of proven
quality, they come with a good waranty. They're guaranteed for life and all
parts required for annual service are covered as long as you get them
serviced annually.

The current favorite of the technical croud, people who really bet their
lives that their regulators will be reliable, seems to be Apeks. I've not
used one myself, but certainly would consider them if I were buying another
regulator.

You mentioned that people had advised you to buy a balanced regulator. That
recommendation is a bit like one to buy the most expensive car you can
afford. It's right, but it's not necessarily right for you.  I've had a few
unbalanced first stage regulators and, to tell the truth, I don't think
their breathing characteristics are different enough to be noticable except
in the most extreme conditions. The one thing that is different is how they
perform as your tank approaches empty. At about 500 psi above ambient
pressure, they get noticably harder to breathe from. That can be a plus or a
minus, depending on how you look at it. It's nice to be able to use all your
gas without increased effort, but that change in breathing effort is a
pretty noticable warning that it's time to head for the surface for those
that don't pay quite as much attention to their gas supply as they should. A
balanced first stage will breathe just the same until it's about one breath
from providing no air at all. For those not careful enough to ensure they
don't run out, they run out suddenly rather than automatically providing a
buffer between a diver's inattention and his death.

As I recall, and I'm less certain about this, unbalanced first stages also
breathe harder when you're inverted. While that's not a normal position for
most divers, it is for some, people cleaning boat bottoms or examinging
ovehead structure in a wreck or cave, for instance.

The best advice anyone can give you is:
1. Try various regulators before you decide.
2. When comparing price, make very sure you include the price of service in
your evaluation. A waranty like you get with Scuba Pro can make a major
difference in cost over time.
3. Consider cost, but don't let cost become your most important
consideration.
4. Absolutely consider the availability of service in areas you're likely to
dive. Some brands can be serviced almost anywhere in the world. Others have
a limited service network. You're really going to hate it if you have to sit
out dives in some beautiful, expensive, dive destination because nobody
local has parts for your regulator.

Lee

Probably about twice what you should be paying.

I mentioned before, that you need to pay attention to what the warranty
offers. Some brands, including my Scuba Pro regulators, include annual
service parts in the warranty, reducing the cost of service substantially.

Also keep in mind that manufacturers that offer this cost saving feature
also usually have a required service interval.

Lee