First Stage for SB R380

[DPhantomas]

I own a MK25/S600 system with a R380 secondary second stage.
I'm thinking of diving with doubles soon, so I'll need another first stage for the R380.

Do I need to buy another MK25? What are the possiblities in compatibility and well featured?

 

[Jonathan]

no reason why they have to be the same - unless you are religeous that is.... You may be able to find Mk20's around cheap.

Jonathan

 

[DPhantomas]

Thank you Jonathan

I was thinking, being used as a backup, may be I can use a diaphragm balanced first stage, like MK18, being backed up if the piston mechanism fails

 

[wch]

Don't know about your feels on online shopping, but DiveInn has the MK16 for $97.00.

 

[DPhantomas]

I've heard that there's no warranty for regulators being bought online

 

[DNAXdiver]

EZ choice. Another Mk 25. Or a MK20 you can upgrade them to Mk25 by replacing 2 cheap parts.

The notion that you gain reliabilty by having regs of two different patterns doesn't make snse. Even piston regs were somehow more likely to fail (and quite the opposite if probably true) two pistons aren't any more likely to fail at exactly the same time than a diaprham and a piston.

I don't particulaly like the MK16. It is a very fussy design compared to traditional SP designs. Not bad just not as good.

Originally posted by DPhantomas
Thank you Jonathan

I was thinking, being used as a backup, may be I can use a diaphragm balanced first stage, like MK18, being backed up if the piston mechanism fails

 

[DPhantomas]

Thank you very much DNAX. That makes sense.

Still, I was talking about the MK18, not the MK16

I'll take your oppinion into consideration.