DILEMA Scubapro MK19 G260(649eur complete system) vs Mares Dual ADJ 62X(560 eur complete system)

[es1273]

I can't find many comments on the ADJ 62X more for the MK19 G260. I'm in a huge dilemma for my first regulator. I have only used the Rover 2S, and I liked it, but I definitely need an "adjustable breathing resistance knob." What would you recommend for a first regulator that is mid-range, not entry-level?


Thanks for all contributions!

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

SP MK11/C370 is genrally considered a superb mid-price reg setup - or MK11/G260 for a slight price step up.

Substitute MK17 (a little bit bigger, environmentally sealed) for the MK11 if you wish (same basic guts and functionality).

I avoid any discussion of MK19 - to me it is an abomination as it's about the same size as a '71 VW Super Beetle.

 

[lowwall]

Both are great and should perform similarly and a lot better than a Rover 2S especially below 20m. 62X is less expensive and much more compact and I happen to like Mares regs so that would be my choice.

ScubaPro has a bunch of fans here, so expect a bunch of SP recs. Especially because that's a great price by US standards (SP has a much higher markup in the US). I'm assuming it's a Mk19 Evo? It also has a swivel turret which gives you more flexibility for non-standard hose routings.

 

[es1273]

Both are great and should perform similarly and a lot better than a Rover 2S especially below 20m. 62X is less expensive and much more compact and I happen to like Mares regs so that would be my choice.

ScubaPro has a bunch of fans here, so expect a bunch of SP recs. Especially because that's a great price by US standards (SP has a much higher markup in the US). I'm assuming it's a Mk19 Evo?

Do you have the ADJ 62X? How does it perform?

 

[rsingler]

As always, one of the key questions is "Where can I get my brand of reg reliably serviced?" If you haven't got local service for that brand, that really limits your choice. If you do...
The 62x is most correctly compared to the Mk11, since both do not have environmental sealing.
The 62x TBP is comparable to the Mk17, as both are sealed regs.
The Mk19EVO is sealed AND has a rotating turret.

So if good service for both brands is easily available to you, the real question is, "Do I want a rotating turret?"
- The reg is much heavier - most folks don't care.
- The reg, when mounted turret up can bang your head. When mounted down, the advantage of the turret is limited, though the fifth port is nice if you want a longer hose to route down under your arm.

If you don't need a turret, sealing for a diaphragm is pretty meaningless. You just rinse out the spring hole after a dive. It might help a little if you dive really cold water.

The second stages are comparable, both with excellent performance. But one question is why do

I definitely need an "adjustable breathing resistance knob."

?

It's an occasionally helpful adjustment for my auxiliary reg for giant stride, to decrease freeflow chances. But then, I have to remember to turn it back once I'm in the water, so I don't hand my panicked OOA buddy a stiff reg.
For my primary, if properly tuned, I literally NEVER touch the knob.
Frankly, the biggest reason for an adjustable is that nowadays, if you don't have regs with knobs, some divers will think that you can't afford better gear. There is almost no reason to ever stiffen your breathing by turning in the knob. Maybe at the end of the service interval, if your reg is dribbling a little air and the valve doesn't quite seal, you can finish a dive trip with the knob turned in 1/4 turn. That's about it.

Both the reg sets you mentioned are excellent. But the firsts are a little different from each other in features. As mentioned by others, this forum has LOTS of Scubapro fans. Scubapro makes excellent gear. But so does Mares and it's really all just personal preference.

IF you can get good Mares service where you live, at this stage in your diving career I'd save the extra money and put it towards another toy.

 

[lowwall]

I don't, I currently dive older Mares' regs. MR22 with Proton Metal seconds.

But I try to keep up on Mares regs (I created Mares Regulator Service Information to help people who want to service their own regs) and internally all the first stages are very similar.

I also text with @rsingler who is our resident expert on regulator servicing and functioning. He's been diving and studying the new generation of their regs (including corresponding with Mares' chief engineer) and is generally impressed with what they are doing. Especially the new TBP environmental seal system. Which can be added to the 62X if you ever decide to get into very cold or very deep diving.

Edit - rsingler managed to get his post in while I was writing mine

 

[lowwall]

The second stages are comparable, both with excellent performance. But one question is why do

es1273:
I definitely need an "adjustable breathing resistance knob."

?

My son has those second stages. They can be tuned to breathe very nicely, but his were not set up that well from the factory. With no external adjustments, you are kind of stuck unless you are willing to adjust it yourself or know enough to insist that the shop do it.

Also the 2S is an unbalanced piston, so breathing gets harder the deeper you go. Mares mostly sells the 2S to shops to use as class rentals. They are really cheap and easy to service and work well enough for OW class depths.

 

[BoltSnap]

The two regulators you mentioned aren't in the same category. The MK19/G260 is a higher-end regulator with performance to match.

It would be rare that I dive with a regulator without an adjustment knob in general. An environmentally sealed first stage, the MK19, helps prevent sand or gunk from getting trapped on the outer side of the diaphragm. I find this important when I dive in my environment, lots of fine sand and salty environment. It helps make my regulator more resilient and needs less frequent service.

The G260 is probably one of the top/best second stages Scubapro has made in past decades. Excellent performance and reliability (I also like S600 and the S620Ti second stages).

At end, I choose the MK19/G260 without any hesitation.

 

[pisauron]

The mares 62x TBP with an Epic adj second stage is prob the best choice from your options.

I own all.

Goodluck.

 

[rsingler]

Also the 2S is an unbalanced piston, so breathing gets harder the deeper you go.

The latest 2S actually met EN250 standards, from a private conversation with folks at Mares. They just didn't choose to pay for certification, given the likely use.
Whether that held true at 750psi tank pressure and a lower IP, I don't know.
But I wouldn't hesitate to dive the 2S to 100 feet, myself. It's got huge flow!