scubapro regs

[divingniknaks]

Originally Posted by StephenT

Obviously if i want to pursue a Tech. career, which you pointed out i probably would, this would involve buying:- dual first stages, twinning bands, double tanks, a dual tank wing, probably some v weights, stage bottles with complimenting regs, an argon kit, probably a new dry suit(since mine isn't the greatest), (if i go really extreme) a gavin scooter or equivalent, numerous reels, a canister light(which i don't currently own), an extra scout back-up light.

I feel a warm and ongoing friendship occuring here as I type


You are truly my type of diver


I'll get my own coat thanks !

[gibbon]

Originally Posted by StephenT

BTW, i never mentioned anything about my budget, just find it funny that because i'm a new diver you assume i don't have enough funds to buy decent regs(the most important equipment?).

StephenT no offence intended regarding budget.

The point I was trying to make is that whilst I belive the Mk25 regs are fantastic they are really not needed

My most recent trips including the one I go on today have been to places where twins, nitrox or helium have been out of the question unless we made a proper expedition of an otherwise simple trip.
Our solution to the has been to take multiple regs and side sling kits and use cylinders all filled with AIR so obviously this has no place in the DIR/GUE section of the Forum.





In the picture you can see that I am using a Mk25/S600 and you will notice that I am very shallow, the emptier tanks are the ones that have been used, the one still slung on my left has (you can see) a Mk2+ this was used at depth, with the MK25 in reserve, the cylinder on my anal stage ring also has a Mk2+ on it and you can see that it has also already been used.

Whilst the Mk2+ is at the bottom end of the SP line in terms of gas throughput I belive that it challenges various other manufacturers regs, and pound for pound I have no doubt it is a winner.
My GFs favourite 1st stage reg is the Mk16 as it has no turret - and works great, and it sits firmly in the middle in terms of performance, personnally the turrets are nice for hose routing on the Mk18/20/25. I have not tried the newer Mk17(no turret) but I belive it to be very similar to the Mk16/18 the three being diaphragm regs which as pointed out earlier are less prone to freezing - which should if you intend to dive through the winter in the UK also be a consideration.

Within the depths that are likely to be diving (before you increase the size of your collection of regs and other equipment) the Mk2+ will work fine and is much simpler in design that the MK25 and hence more reliable so the term "best" should be clarified more - if best means keeping you alive then there are certainly arguments such as the simplicity that back the use of the MK2+ over the Mk25, and arguments for the diaphragm regs for use in cold water.

If the only measurement for "best" is over the total gas flow that the regulator is capable of then I again suggest that you should be looking at Sweedish regs.

The Mk2+ is also the cheapest reg to service both parts and time

The only negative thing I can say about the Mk18/Mk16 is that they are noisy compared to the piston regs and weigh more than a Mk25

However all said if you want a Mk25 and have the cash to hand then enjoy it, but if you later try a Mk2+ and realise that it also works ok then dont be suprised, however if you do make that comparison use the same 2nd stage with it to make the comparison fair.


LOL @ Phil I think you are right :-)

[Garf]

anal stage ring

snigger. you just made that up

[yellowduke]

Great pic, I thought the cylinder sticking out of his bum was great. Not such a crazy idea taking an extra cylinder down as a stage though.

Jim

[StephenT]

I guess that photo wasn't taken in blighty :]

[londonsean69]

Originally Posted by divingniknaks

Why change the habit of a lifetime ?

Fair point

Originally Posted by divingniknaks

How's things out there ? You've been quiet for awhile.

Bit quiet at the moment, but then again it´s winter.
Anyway, I don´t know much about the scubapro´but can whole heartedly recommend Apeks´s ATX 40´s. I put them through hell (about 75 dives a month from 6 to 50m including being buried in sand!) and have only had to service them once (About 200 dives ago).

[londonsean69]

Originally Posted by yellowduke

Not such a crazy idea taking an extra cylinder down as a stage though.

Why not? He has explained why it had to be done, and whilst not DIR is quite probably better than just doing it on a single.
This was covered in some depth on another thread, I will see if I can find it

[tonhil]

The Mk2+ is an astonishingly reliable reg and it drawbacks are not clear to me - other than the image one of course.

[MartyC]

Stephen,
I'm a pure sport diver, I bought Mk 25 & R390's as part of a special package, I have a sign on my forhead that says "please sell me shiny stuff".
but I can honestly say, I am more than chuffed with the performance of these goodies from Scubapro and at the rate I use air you need good performance!!

Happy diving

Marty

[londonsean69]

Originally Posted by MartyC

"please sell me shiny stuff".

Don´t let Phil or Woz see that sign, you will end up with loads of shiney dive bits, and one mega unhappy SWMBO