French Mistral vs American Mistral

[standingup]

Bryan wrote:
It breathes different than a RAM.....If you pull hard on a Spiro Royal the volume of air it can deliver is unbelievable!!! I love the simplicity, the performance and the looks of the regulator.
RAM/Spiro Royal both are tops in my book.

How do you feel a Spiro Royal compares to a DW Mistral both are single stage correct ? or am I trying to compare an apple with an orange ?

[Bryan]

There is a reason or reasons why Cousteau used the Spirotechnique Royal Mistral with very high pressure cylinders, mixed gases and very deep……According to Ryan Spence the Cousteau divers still have quite a few of them in service today and are still diving them.
Bear in mind that 90% of the Vintage Divers here in the states have never had the opportunity to use a Spiro Mistral so it’s hard to compare. Those that have will comment I’m sure.
Couple of things to be aware of before you go out and pay big coin for one. All except the very late models used a taper style yoke that will not fit most US valves. Also the nozzle is metric size and too large to fit US valves. A little machine work can take care of this if you are handy and or resourceful. Some have a HP port on the side of the can for a pressure gauge but they are threaded for a 6mm hose end. An adaptor or a European gauge is required. Parts are SCARCE….The HP seat, spring and diaphragm are unique to this regulator and cannot interchange with the US version.
IMO…..They flow air like it’s going out of style. I’ve tried to overbreathe them….No dice… The hoses and mouthpiece are my favorites and I often put a set on my RAM when I dive it. They took and excellent design and refined it to the utmost in simplicity and reliability…..Just my OPINION…..Your results may vary.

[standingup]

Does the mouthpiece have a shut off similar to the northill mouth piece for snorkeling on the surface and conserving air.

[Bryan]

No DSV mouthpiece....It's 3 pieces and very adjustable for comfort. Once you get it set right, the mouthpiece lies against your chin and you only have to bite down a little bit to keep it comfortably in place.

[1969ivan1]

I have a Spiro and it does breathe very well indeed. Mine was totally overhauled and rechromed before I bought it off of VDH. That was money well spent. The repro labels that Jerry makes are really nice, almost perfect. So if you score one that is a little beat up, a little chrome and a label will make it look like new.
If you get a chance to get one DO!