Shopper Is this a balanced or unbalanced 1st stage?
MICHAEL B Both, the first stage is balance and the second stage is unbalanced.
Anh-Tuan T So, which answer is it?
MICHAEL B This is a balanced first stage. The regulator is designed so that a small amount of air bleeds around the piston. This means that the balance piston is not exposed tot he water and helps prevent failure.
DAVID D The Brut is a unbalanced reg. Very reliable, tough, easy to service. I have used the Brut as student and rental regs since 1996, and some of those regs are still going strong. An excellent and economical reg for the average recreational diver.