Basic regulator for ocasional diver

[Nausica]

Hello, I'm a ocasional european female diver who mostly dives while travelling (between 0-2 trips a year) and very rarely at home (Mediterranean sea). My trips are mostly to Asia or Egypt, I prefer to dive in warm water. For this reason, until now I have always been renting, but after 250 dives I've thought that maybe is the time to invest in a basic but quality dive gear that preferably doesn't break the bank. Because I mostly dive in other countries, light/easy to travel with is important. Also while on holiday trip I usually dive 3-4 dives a day, and after a while my mouth get tired, so maybe something lighter will be nice. Very important is that is reliable, sturdy and easy manteinance.

After reading a bit, I have found the following pack/offers. What do you think? Do you have other recommendations?

Aqualung Pk Helix Din + Octopus + pressure gauge + Bag: 480 euros

Scubapro MK11 EVO / C370 / R105 Octo: 420 euros

Scubapro MK17 EVO2/C370/R105 Octo Set: 430 euros (worried to be to heavy?)

Many thanks for your help!

 

[GiraffeMarineSalvage]

Since you mentioned your mouth getting tired with rental gear, having a quality mouthpiece is the low hanging fruit (cheaper and lighter than owning your own regs... Examples of mouthpiece options: Mouthpieces) and in interest of traveling light for 0-2 trips a year I probably would stay with renting everything but mask/snorkel/fins...
With that said, lots of people travel to the Mediterranean to dive so ideal scenario is getting out diving locally enough to warrant investing in your own regulator and I would then defer to your local dive shop judgement or Deep 6 Gear for quality sold direct to divers.

 

[BoltSnap]

Scubapro MK11 EVO / C370 / R105 Octo: 420 euros

Scubapro MK17 EVO2/C370/R105 Octo Set: 430 euros (worried to be to heavy?)

Since the price difference between the two is nothing, go with the MK17EVO2 kit without a doubt. No, it isn't heavy by any means. In fact, it is considered a weight/size-efficient design.

Aqualung Pk Helix Din + Octopus + pressure gauge + Bag: 480 euros

Skip this. It is nowhere close to the Scubapro options, not even close. Also, note that the Aqualung company was in bankruptcy court and was recently bought out by another company. No one knows for sure what the future holds for Aqua Lung.

 

[Mobulai]

Aqualung Pk Helix Din + Octopus + pressure gauge + Bag: 480 euros

Scubapro MK11 EVO / C370 / R105 Octo: 420 euros

Scubapro MK17 EVO2/C370/R105 Octo Set: 430 euros (worried to be to heavy?)

I’d avoid aqualung as Boltsnap said, even tho their critical service parts are the same as Mares (who bought them)

The 17evo2 is quite a reduction in size; so it’s not that heavy as the previous generation (choosing out of the 3, at these prices I’d take that)
If you don’t care for sealed reg and every gram counts go for the mk11

The mouthpiece is a fine suggestion, and an effective way to avoid fatigue and keep it clean on budget, and also look ar service shops around you before buying a reg as GiraffeMarineSalvage suggested

Consider the Apeks comfortbite and the moldable (jax?) mouthpieces anyways

 

[Nausica]

Thanks for your reply both of you! Ok, Aqualung discarded! Deep 6 Gear doesn't appear to be marketed in my country. Any other recommendation would be welcome!
Also, I currently almost never dive locally because the cost of renting the equipment is very hight! So at the end, two dives are too expensive to justify It.

 

[BoltSnap]

I currently almost never dive locally because the cost of renting the equipment is very hight! So at the end, two dives are too expensive to justify It.

Buy a full kit and go diving in Spain. Spain is one of the nicest countries to dive in. I live in Libya and I'd like to go diving in Spain as soon as I have the time and $$. You have so many choices on the Med. and the Atlantic to choose from there. In fact, the world underwater photography championship is held in Spain this coming October

Viva la España!!

(We in the Arab world love Spain and its people!!)

 

[Nausica]

Actually I live in Spain 40 min inland to north mediterranean sea.

 

[BoltSnap]

Actually I live in Spain 40 min inland to north mediterranean sea.

I'd be diving every weekend if I were you

 

[lexvil]

The difference in weight between a MK 11 EVO and a MK 17 evo2 is 2 oz, you don’t need the extra feature of the 17 but for the cost difference and slight weight increase I would take the 17.

 

[kdlv]

Go for this one, you will not notice the weight difference.
MK17 EVO2/C370/R105 Octo Set: 430 euros (worried to be to heavy?)
Actually you can even ditch the R105 and get 2 identical C370s. The 370 are small and you can use the Apeks/Aqualung comfobite mouthpiece for the primary 2nd.
MK11 Evo is slightly heavier than the previous MK11 which I find odd, but it is what it is.

Where do you find them in Europe at this price? 430 EUR for 17Evo2 and C370 is amazing price.
You will need the inflator hose and SPG as well. I hate myself for saying this, but the Scubapro manometer is pretty good, so you can look around for a good deal on these too.