Asking for a friend: SP D400/MK20 for cold water?

[Marie13]

A FB friend is having a hard time figuring out the SB software and asked me to post these photos for her. She’s in the Upper Midwest and will be diving locally now - aka cold water. Has a drysuit on order. Used to live in FL and did tons of diving there. These SP regs are about 17 years old. Would prefer not to buy new. SP D400 second and MK20 first. Would these work down to 38-40F? She says thank you!

 

[gqllc007]

I don't know about that specific set up. Here in the cold almost everyone uses a diaphragm or a sealed piston first stage. Atomic M1, Scubapro Mk25 evo (not sealed but suppose to be ok for cold water, Scubapro Mk19, Apeks etc. Most all the instructors and divemasters at our dive shop use Apeks XTX200. I use Atomic M1 and Scubapro Mk19 with G260

 

[BoltSnap]

Just FYI, the MK20 can easily be upgraded to a MK25.

I have used the MK20/D400 in diving cold waters in New England without issues but I never used it ice diving. I am sure that there are people here with more experience in diving icy waters than mine.

 

[lexvil]

There is a spec boot for the mk20 if you (she) wants it a bit hard to come by, asle as mentioned it’s easy to upgrade the mk20 to mk25.

mk20 UL upgraded to 25 with SPEC boot.
The D400 if serviced by someone who knows it and has the parts is a great reg.

 

[BoltSnap]

There is a spec boot for the mk20 if you (she) wants it a bit hard to come by, asle as mentioned it’s easy to upgrade the mk20 to mk25.
View attachment 673911
mk20 UL upgraded to 25 with SPEC boot.
The D400 if serviced by someone who knows it and has the parts is a great reg.

Can the SPEC boot be used with MK25? What is used inside the Boot, cristolube?

 

[Marie13]

Just FYI, the MK20 can easily be upgraded to a MK25.

I have used the MK20/D400 in diving cold waters in New England without issues but I never used it ice diving. I am sure that there are people here with more experience in diving icy waters than mine.

You can get 38-40 without ice diving!

 

[BoltSnap]

You can get 38-40 without ice diving!

I meant less than these temps when it becomes icy. I dove these temps, 38-40, in ocean without issues.

 

[Cdncoldwater]

I've serviced Mk20s that have been used in that temperature range, I personally have never dove one and the D400 should be fine as well. Personally I prefer a diaphragm 1st for cold water.

 

[rhwestfall]

My ice instructor likes his mk20/D400. @Marie13 , you know him...

 

[lexvil]

Can the SPEC boot be used with MK25? What is used inside the Boot, cristolube?

No, the 25 doesn’t have the groove to hold it, but I do know of someone working on it.