Conshelf XIV Specs

[Joeyboots]

I am putting together a rig for some deeper diving. I am considering using some Conshelf XIV regulators from US Divers because they seem to be extremely durable. They also seem to be US Navy issue and are still manufactured by US Divers new. Does anyone know how these regulators perform at depth. Is the Conshelf XIV suitable for deeper diving? If so how deep.

Thanks
JM

 

[deepdiver2005]

A valid question. what do you guys use? im using Scuba Pro, MK25 w/ S600. Is there a prefered deep diving regs?

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The internal workings of the Aqualung Titan, Legend and Conshelf XIV are extremely similar as all three share the same basic Conshelf design.

I have however never seen any specifications for flow rate and have not used them extensively at depth. You are correct about the Conshelf XIV being very durable. I service several each year and I never actually have any come through the shop that absolutely need service due to a malfunction. I have also worked on Conshelf first stages that have not seen service in up to 20 years that still function properly, although the amount of actual use they saw is never deteminable. At a minimum they store extremely well on the shelf.

Despite all that, my preference for a deep diving diaphragm reg is the Scubapro Mk 17. It has excellent breathing performance and exceptional cold water performance - far better cold water reliability than the Aqualung Titan, Legend or Conshelf.

 

[rescuediver009]

The conshelf is a great reg. As mentioned it has great durability, and has definetely stood the test of time. I have serviced a many, and same with DA they all came out of surgery just fine.
As for deep performance, your answer will be relative. Although they were used by the navy, that was then and this is now and now they are not as more advanced products have come about. I think that deep within the recreational limits (130 ish) the reg would do fine. Outside of that I am not too sure.
I would tend to think that the balanced second stage would ideally compliment a regulator at greater depths (200 ish).
Like DA I would also opt for a more modernly designed reg, although I will wait till I try a mk17 before I find fault with his Legend flaming

 

[MarkH]

I've used mine down to 150 ft. and down to 120 or so regularly.

 

[deepdiver2005]

if you wana talk about deep, well 210f/67m is the max i have been with:
Scuba Pro MK25 with S600 and
Diverite RG1208 with RG2010
Honestly i wont trust anything else with my life

 

[Creed]

You might want to take a look at this chart. It's (quote):
"1987 Group A Superior Regulators Regulators which met or exceeded the US Navy's 1986 upgraded work of breathing requirements up to 198-feet salt water, at a moderately heavy work load and a 1000 psi tank pressure."

The decendents(and darn near identical operationally) of the XIV, the SE2 and the ProDiver, are listed. They didn't do too bad, either. Both were rated as acceptable for Moderate work at a 198ft.

 

[Joeyboots]

Thanks to all for the responses. I appreciate all the great information volunteered. You all are the best in my book.

JM

 

[diversteve]

fwiw, when Nuno Gomes broke the World Record (1044ft.) he did it with a Poseidon reg. Their Xstream Deep90 is rated to 200M (just under 660ft.)

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Hmmm....that would be a civilian open water/open circuit record. The US Navy Experimental dive team used the Scubapro Mk V with a Pilot second stage to depths of 1800 ft. (obviously on mixed gases)

To put that in perspective though, while the servo valved Pilot second stage was an exceptional second stage by any standard, the Mk V did not really have much more performance than it's Conshelf XI. XII and XIV contemporaries.

Looking at the chart above, the Conshelf design is comparable in performance to the Scubapro MK V and MK 10, which are considered adequate for nearly all diving situations.

In contrast however, a newer reg like the Mk 17, has a flow rate half again as good, and wanting to have the best if a hard working at depth situation arises has a lot to do with why I have Mk 17's in my dive bag and Mk 10's stored in my closet.

That said, I think you always want to be caredul to not get stuck on assessing only the performance of the first stage as the second stage is virtually always the the limiting factor with a flow rate somewhere between 30 and 65 SCFM compared to even inexpensive unbalanced piston first stages that have flow rates around 80-90 SCFM and high performance first stages that have flow rates in the 150-300 SCFM range.