So I have a question. I purchase a mk10 G250 when I was 12 (91 or 92). I currently have one of those junky aqualung flat octos. I wanted to purchase the appropriate regulator that would have gone along with the g250 but I'm not sure what would have been recomended.
G250 Matching Octopus
- Thread starter Candiru
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At the time, a Scubapro dealer would have probably recommended another G250, a G200 or a G200B (a balanced version of the G200). The R190 would have been the low end/economy octo choice.
An R190 would still work as would any of the similar unbalanced but small cased second stages like the R380, R390, or R295.
Alternatively an S555 - the current equivalent of the G200B - would be fine as would a new G250HP or G250V (the G250V is essentially identical to your G250, except for some cosmetic changes).
G250's still show up on e-bay in various conditions, but they tend to be overpriced since they were more desired by many divers than the currrent G250HP (for good reason) but prices should drop a bit now that the G250V is being delivered and some of the need is being met.
G200's also show up on e-bay in both unbalanced and balanced form and they can be good buys, but the adjustment knob on the G250 is nice to have on an octo. And because modifications of G200's to G200B status were common it, is not always clear which one you are getting. Personally, if I see a minty G200 under $30, I will often buy it and will at a minimum upgrade it to G200B status. At the other extreme, I will sometimes either buy a new G250 air barrel (not real cheap) or pull the air barrel out of a well used G250 with a beat up case and put it in the G200 case to create a nice near mint G250 - something you seldom find on e-bay for reasonable money.
The R190, R380,R390, and R295 also show up frequently. Of those the R390 is probably preferrable to the newer R295 as the R295 does not have the adjustable flow vane of the R190, R380 and R390 which is very nice to have on an octo.
An R190 would still work as would any of the similar unbalanced but small cased second stages like the R380, R390, or R295.
Alternatively an S555 - the current equivalent of the G200B - would be fine as would a new G250HP or G250V (the G250V is essentially identical to your G250, except for some cosmetic changes).
G250's still show up on e-bay in various conditions, but they tend to be overpriced since they were more desired by many divers than the currrent G250HP (for good reason) but prices should drop a bit now that the G250V is being delivered and some of the need is being met.
G200's also show up on e-bay in both unbalanced and balanced form and they can be good buys, but the adjustment knob on the G250 is nice to have on an octo. And because modifications of G200's to G200B status were common it, is not always clear which one you are getting. Personally, if I see a minty G200 under $30, I will often buy it and will at a minimum upgrade it to G200B status. At the other extreme, I will sometimes either buy a new G250 air barrel (not real cheap) or pull the air barrel out of a well used G250 with a beat up case and put it in the G200 case to create a nice near mint G250 - something you seldom find on e-bay for reasonable money.
The R190, R380,R390, and R295 also show up frequently. Of those the R390 is probably preferrable to the newer R295 as the R295 does not have the adjustable flow vane of the R190, R380 and R390 which is very nice to have on an octo.
halocline
Contributor
In addition to the great info in the previous post, I might suggest a SP metal case 109 2nd stage (or 156) upgraded to balanced/adjustable status. You'd be getting essentially identical breathing performance to your G250, and it's an easy upgrade if the metal case you buy is not already upgraded. You can find those on ebay at a very reasonable price, and they are extremely durable. The one "disadvantage" from some buyers' point of view is that they're heavier (and so less comfortable in your mouth for long periods of time) than the plastic case G250. However, when used as an alternate, not for the entire dive, this is a very slight disadvantage, and with the right mouthpiece they are pretty comfortable. The only other issue is that the metal case regs are so smooth breathing and so helpful with drymouth that you might find yourself moving your G250 to octo status!
Packhorse
Contributor
You should just buy the best 2nd stage you can find/afford. If it breaths better than your G250 then use it as your main and the G250 as your back up. Personally I use a G250 main and S600 backup as I like its small size.
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