A change of heart, Scubapro D420

[Open Ocean Diver]

What real improvements does the 420 have compared to the 400?

I think the 420 is just a stepping stone to see if people still have interested in this type of reg, the real jump in improvement will be the next generation the 440... I predict.

 

[buddhasummer]

From memory the D400 was a slightly better breather but in comparison could be a royal PITA to disassemble and tune, I found them finicky as "F". Now I know how to tune the D420 given the choice in balance I'd take it over a D400.

With the right knowledge it has to be one of the easier second stages to service. FWIW It is in my humble opinion the best breathing second stage currently produced by SP.

 

[buddhasummer]

Not from memory, it was. But that could just be because on land is was as effortless as under water, the D420 is nothing special on land, but I guess that's kind of irrelevant given you don't drive to work breathing off one.

 

[buddhasummer]

I remember being blown away by how natural the D400 was. First time breathing on land out of the D420 I was thinking "oh no, this doesn't bode well".

 

[buddhasummer]

I'll stop babbling, and leave it at "I love it". Just hope it holds tune over time.

 

[BoltSnap]

Thanks, Lexvil. I did find a really excellent video on YouTube that has answered my questions. Take care.

What video is that? Please give link.

 

[BoltSnap]

I remember being blown away by how natural the D400 was. First time breathing on land out of the D420 I was thinking "oh no, this doesn't bode well".

I believe that most of your and other "experts'" comments here that have "deeper" meaning confuse the folks that aren't experts or people who don't like to tinker with their regulators without proper tools or manuals or know and understand the history of the regulator(s). If I didn't know what I know over the past 30 or so years and my experience with SP regulators, I would have believed the initial "negative" impression of the regulator when you and others attempted to tweak it based on erroneous assumptions and information.

From a normal user point of view, regardless of their level, the D420 is probably the top performing regulator out there today.

 

[buddhasummer]

I'm certainly no expert and don't play one on TV either.

It does not impress much out of the box.

Two were tuned incorrectly from factory.

I don't think initial "negative" impressions were baseless.

Initial manual was wrong/misleading.

I doubt either threads, given Scubaboards relatively small following, has had much of a negative impact on SPs sale of the D420 but we certainly learnt and discovered a lot about it and that knowledge will be of benefit to many including SP (the manual was changed I'm almost sure in a big part to "our" tinkering?)

Have you played with one or used one yet?

However, I agree in the most part with you, particularly re non DIY people and also with it being SPs current king of the castle.

Take care
Simon

 

[buddhasummer]

What video is that? Please give link.

I'm assuming he's referring to @rsingler videos.

 

[buddhasummer]

There are videos from Rob in this thread but can't tell you what pages, it's a long thread.

D420! How about that?