differences between mk17 and mk11

[Texas_Aggie06]

I am trying to figure out if the main difference between the mk11 and mk17 is just the environmental sealing. If so, I am thinking the mk11 would be my a better option. We don't get a lot of ice diving in Texas.

Thanks.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Yes, the Mk 11 is a Mk 17 without the sealed ambient chamber. The seat and business end of the reg are the same.

 

[Texas_Aggie06]

thanks a lot. one other question if you don't mind. can the environmental kit be added later on?

 

[squidster]

thanks a lot. one other question if you don't mind. can the environmental kit be added later on?

I have the mk 11/r395
Yes you can add it but,it will cost you.

If you want to take my advice,here is what i would have done to begin with.
I do live where it gets cold,the mk 11 will work in colder conditions but if your thinking about diving below ice,get the mk 17/250 vintage to begin with.
any add on s will not be worth it, to exspensive.

if you are not going below 40 degrees i would get the mk 11/s555

the problem is after you buy the reg and want to dive below ice it will cost you believe me i have priced all the options for the mk 11 and it allways works out alot higher.

my advice is to bite the bullet and get the mk17/250 vintage or mk17/ s600
these units will cover you any where you want to dive and they are great regs

 

[Texas_Aggie06]

i won't be diving ice for a very, very long time if ever. i was thinking about the mk 11/g250v as my best option. from what i've gathered, i can order just about any second stage with any first stage with scuba pro. i just need to go talk to the lds and see what it would cost.

 

[beester]

I dive a MK17/G250v combo and I can say that I'm happy with it (of course this is a totally subjective statement... but I'll say it nonetheless )

Will see this winter what the cold water performance will be (dive year round and the water will be 40°F mid winter)..

Regarding breathing performance... I dove it up to the 130s and it breaths fine but I'm sure most other A-brand regulators will do so. Now a guy who I know dives his MK2/R190 to 160+ feet without any issue.... so maybe the balanced performance is just luxury.

Some older divers in my neighborhood who dive MK17/X650s or S600s are changing them for G250Vs since they know the old G200 / G250 series as being quite good.

However I'll leave that discussion to the experts.

All in all I don't think you can go wrong with the MK11/G250V... however I would look carefully at the pricedifference between the MK11 and MK17 to see if it realy is worth the difference.

 

[Texas_Aggie06]

All in all I don't think you can go wrong with the MK11/G250V... however I would look carefully at the pricedifference between the MK11 and MK17 to see if it realy is worth the difference.

i will definitely do that.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Even in warm water the sealed first stage can be an advantage - you don't have to worry about rinsing salt or silt out of the ambient chamber.

 

[Texas_Aggie06]

Even in warm water the sealed first stage can be an advantage - you don't have to worry about rinsing salt or silt out of the ambient chamber.

i didn't know that was a problem



:texas:

 

[Luis H]

Even in warm water the sealed first stage can be an advantage - you don't have to worry about rinsing salt or silt out of the ambient chamber.

i didn't know that was a problem

:texas:

Perhaps, it is not really a problem, but I agree with DA AquaMaster: it can be an advantage to avoid any cavities that could collect salt deposits and silt. If you are careful rinsing or soaking it is not a big problem (we have been dealing with it for decades), but it does tend to protect a spot that is not easy to inspect from the outside.