Another reg comparison, MK17/X650 vs FDX10/Delta 4

[amajamar]

I currently dive a MK25/G250HP and my GF dives with my older DX4/Delta3, which I loved. I like the MK25 and it breathes well for my uses; N.E. diving and some carribean travel. I was recently given a gift of a new MK25/S600, and while I know that is an awesome setup as well, I had been thinking of trading my MK25 for a MK17 anyway. The reason for that is that as much as I like the MK25, I am not really crazy about the hose routing and the general bulk of the 1st stage. I find that the hoses don't coil nicely when stored and it's relatively bulky for travel.

With all I have read about the MK17, I'm pretty sure that I would be happy with the performance and it seems to be more compact and might travel better than the MK25. I can get the MK25 with the X650 (which I don't know anything about) for a closeout price that seems to be pretty good. However, I could also get the Oceanic FDX10/Delta 4 for about the same money. Both are sealed, balanced diaghrams, and seem to have the same form factor.

So, if someone owns both setups and has a preference, please let me know. I would love to hear some opinions about both regulators, especially from owners and users.

In addition, any comparisons of the S600, G250HP, and the X650 would be great, too, as I have only dove with the G250HP.

Thanks in advance!

 

[reeldreams]

Delta 4 the new cold water reg
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced its new regulator pick. In the June issue of Undercurrent, we wrote about NOAA's new rules and regulations for government divers in response to the death of two Coast Guard divers in Alaska last summer. One major change was giving the boot to all regulators Coast Guard divers had previously used for cold-water diving. After testing of multiple regulators, NOAA found Oceanic's Delta IV to be the most reliable.

"It consistently came up first for meeting all our criteria, and it won't freeze up in cold water," says Lieutenant Eric Johnson of the NOAA Diving Program. The Delta IV is an environmentally sealed diaphragm regulator and its first stage has Oceanic's Dry Valve Technology, designed to stop moisture and contaminants from entering and to prevent corrosion of internal components. NOAA bought 350 of the regulators and now requires its 500 divers to use that model when diving in water temperatures of 50 degrees or less. Johnson says the Navy's experimental dive unit is using them, too. The Delta IV is also commercially available for sport divers; Oceanic's suggested price is $570.

Cold-water divers should definitely invest in a good regulator that won't freeze up underwater. Two people died last April because of that problem. Jason Balsbough and Daniel Frendenberg, both age 21, and Sherry Eads, 43, went diving in a quarry in Gilboa, Ohio, where the water temperature was 38 degrees. Another diver called 911 to report the divers were down. Balsbough had regulator problems but was able to surface by himself. Frendenberg and Eads were too deep and their regulators were too iced for them to breathe.

 

[amajamar]

That's an interesting article. Where was it excerpted from?

 

[HBO MD]

Scubapro made a number of missteps when releasing the X650, and it got a bad rap. Nevertheless I think it's the easiest breathing reg I've ever used. The purge is weak though, I'm not sure what design aspect necessitated modifying it in that way. When you remove the purge cover, there's a protective ring surrounding and protruding from the diaphragm which limits the degree of inward compression.
On the other hand, my wife dives a 600 and absolutely loves it. It's a really high performer and very versatile reg.
Good luck in your choice.

 

[RAWalker]

With the NOAA/Navy test data, the fact that the Delta 4 is also in the group of easiest breathing effort and Oceanic MAP vs Scubapro MARP retail pricing policy... I think the choice is simple you can get one of the best regs available at a discount price with a little shopping around and support a free market model or support Scubapro's anti-competative pricing policy. There really is no price/performance/quality issue that would support the ScubaPro purchase. JMHO

 

[amajamar]

With the NOAA/Navy test data, the fact that the Delta 4 is also in the group of easiest breathing effort and Oceanic MAP vs Scubapro MARP retail pricing policy... I think the choice is simple you can get one of the best regs available at a discount price with a little shopping around and support a free market model or support Scubapro's anti-competative pricing policy. There really is no price/performance/quality issue that would support the ScubaPro purchase. JMHO

I'm not well versed in pricing policies, in this case the SP is actually less expensive than the Oceanic. This may be a case where I am trying to compare an apple and a pear...

 

[eelnoraa]

Oceanic delta 4 is currently on sale at leisurepro for $299. Price is very good, LP is an authorized Oceanic retailer. I am tempted to get one myself, my first reg that will be.

 

[Byte Me]

The FDX10 / Delta IV was my first reg. I love it. It's been to 150', in clear blue ocean water and 32F fresh WI lake water! Performed flawlessly each time. Bought it at Scuba Toys for a great price (not very much more than posted above and that was 2 1/2 years ago!), very inexpensive service each year from them as well.

If I had it to do over again I'd get another FDX10 / Delta IV without question.

 

[amajamar]

The FDX10 / Delta IV was my first reg. I love it. It's been to 150', in clear blue ocean water and 32F fresh WI lake water! Performed flawlessly each time. Bought it at Scuba Toys for a great price (not very much more than posted above and that was 2 1/2 years ago!), very inexpensive service each year from them as well.

If I had it to do over again I'd get another FDX10 / Delta IV without question.

How much was the service from ST, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[amajamar]

Has there been any issues or reports of the DVT system failing in a closed position, creating a no air situation? That feature worries me a little...