Choosing between Aqua Lung Helix and SP MK25/S620Ti

[zhengfu23]

Hello everyone, newbie to diving and this forum here so I apologize in advance if I sound like a complete noob!

I am trying to purchase my first ever regulator after newly certified in Cozumel. I was initially trying to get the ScubaPro MK25 + S620Ti + R105 Octo, which comes to be around 1050 USD, but last night I saw the Aqua Lung Helix + Octo on sale for 299 USD. I live in Washington state so the sales tax is 10.25%, making them around 1150 USD and 330 USD respectively.

I am someone who somehow care deeply about price performance ratio thus making it hard for me to spring almost 4 times the price for something that I do not know is worth that much more.

For context, my girlfriend and I are most likely vacation divers only diving in warm-ish waters (Caribbean, Hawaii, South East Asia, etc), she's already decided on getting the MK25 + S620Ti due to ScubaPro's decades of great reputation, so not sure if getting the same regulator as her is an advantage in terms of future maintainability, etc. We plan to continue diving for the foreseeable future and hope the regulators we purchase will last a long time into our diving journey.

Please help me decide whether I should just bite the bullet on getting the more expensive set or am I not missing much with the Aqua Lung set while saving a health chunk of money thanks in advance!

 

[Zef]

My only question really is whether it is a Helix octo or is it the ABS octo?

If it is the Helix octo it is a very good deal. If it is the ABS octo, I would recommend asking if they would be able to substitute the Helix octo for a nominal fee.

-Z

 

[zhengfu23]

My only question really is whether it is a Helix octo or is it the ABS octo?

If it is the Helix octo it is a very good deal. If it is the ABS octo, I would recommend asking if they would be able to substitute the Helix octo for a nominal fee.

-Z

According to the picture, it seems to be of a Helix octo, (the description even said "Helix Pro Octopus", but I don't know if that's just a typo or not)

I'll post picture once I get it this Wednesday

 

[zhengfu23]

Just received it, it is indeed a Helix Pro octopus.

 

[USdiver1]

Dive it like you stole it! [You practically did].

 

[Zef]

Do they have any more?

-Z

 

[zhengfu23]

Although the $300 sale is over, it seems to be still available on scuba.com for $350 at the moment.

 

[wlecyt40]

I have both the ScubaPro C370 second stage and the MK11 first stage AND the Aqualung Mikron set. The ScubaPro is a much heavier set up but us built for the colder waters while I think the Mikron is more of a warm water set, like the Helix. I keep both in good repair because I like both of them. (yes, I'm a gear hog!)

 

[Zef]

Although the $300 sale is over, it seems to be still available on scuba.com for $350 at the moment.

Even at $350 that is a pretty good deal. Could you please DM me the name of the shop so I can look into this further?

-Z