Conshelf 21 vs. Scubapro Mk 20

[Furnari]

I'm fairly new to diving- about 80 dives since November- so I'm been accumulating gear as I go along and upgrading when opportunities arise. I've been using a Conshelf 21 first stage, but I'm going to pick up a Scubapro MK 20 for $30. I figure that's a decent price for a spare first stage, assuming the recall has been done and the initial servicing doesn't find anything dramatic. Would it make sense to use the Scubapro as my main reg and put the Conshelf well, on the shelf? The main benefit I see is better hose routing and another port to eventually upgrade to a wireless computer. Big question- which will perform better in cold water? I've already done some dives in the 30's with about the same or lower air temps, and I expect I'll be doing a lot more. Any advice is appreciated...

 

[Luis H]

IMO, The Conshelf is a much better first stage for cold water.

I always liked Scubapro and I still think the metal 109 or Balanced adjustable is one of the best second stages ever made, but I have come to appreciate the Conshelf (and all its clones, Titan, etc.) as some of the best first stage ever made.

The Conshelf first stage is mechanically the same (it uses all the same parts) as my favorite regulator of all times... the Royal Aqua Master (and the Phoenix Royal Aqua Master) double hose regulator. The design came out around 1965 and it is still the same. That says a lot about a great design.

 

[Zung]

+1
But, since you're gonna have both, why not make the best use of it: AL in the winter, and SP in the summer?
I went through the same route, first an AL Supra/XL, then a SP MK20/G250, but I never switched back, since 12°C/54°F is plenty freezing enough for me inspite of a full dry suit.

 

[ZzzKing]

I have Conshelfs as my local/doubles/cold water sets and a Mk5 w/ 108 & 109 seconds as my travel set to warm destinations. I've never had problems with either one.

I occasionally get funny looks from people that dress like those dive store mannequins because of the old, shiny gear.

BTW - If you've had 80 dives since November, you're not going to be "new to diving" for very much longer.