n733lk
Contributor
Based on your experience and community scuttlebutt, is there any advantage of one style of Reg over the other? 
Thanks.
Thanks.
Diaphragm v. Piston
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Piston = more tolerant of flooding and/or minor amounts of water inside.
Diaphram when sealed = more tolerant of icing in very cold water <36-38F or so. Assuming the supply gas is very dry.
Diaphram when sealed = more tolerant of icing in very cold water <36-38F or so. Assuming the supply gas is very dry.
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I would generally back up rjack on this but add that it comes down to the design of the actual reg. A high flow piston can be as freeze resistant as a diaphragm reg and more reliable. I think what has been observed is that in well designed regs the Work of Breathing will not increase significantly at low tank pressure. I have an MK2 and MK15 which do not Exhibit much increase but I have also a older design conshelf reg that I use recreationally which makes it VERY clear when you get to 500psi.
For those of us that "extend" service intervals......diaphragm regs need less fiddling.
If I were living in a remote area and was parts challenged, a MK 2 would be a serious contender. The seat theflippable and the o-rings can be found in a good hardware store.
Given that I have about a hundred Mk 10 seats, I'd go with that as well. The o-rings are again common and while the piston stem o-ring is 90 duro, the old ones were 70 duro and that wouldl work in a pinch. \
As it is currently, for silty sidemount diving I am partial to the fully sealed MK 17 (a diaphragm design), but use MK 9s and 10s on stages and deco bottles.
Given that I have about a hundred Mk 10 seats, I'd go with that as well. The o-rings are again common and while the piston stem o-ring is 90 duro, the old ones were 70 duro and that wouldl work in a pinch. \
As it is currently, for silty sidemount diving I am partial to the fully sealed MK 17 (a diaphragm design), but use MK 9s and 10s on stages and deco bottles.
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