This is my first delve into vintage. Just completed a trade (thanks Rob) for a MK5 (I believe 3rd gen.) and 109. They are in very good condition, no pitting, excellent chrome, all good rubber. I'll be getting them serviced later this week. I currently dive with a new MK 25 / S555 primary and Oceanic Alpha (1st gen) as secondary. I'm strongly considering using the MK25 with the 109 as my primary and S555 as the secondary. I'll attach the Oceanic Alpha to an older MK2 and use it on my slung pony bottle. Any suggestions or comments to my plans? Should I nix the MK25 and use the MK5? It has 2 HP ports and 4LP ports on the turret. Plenty of connection room.
Happy New MK5 / 109 Owner
- Thread starter oldschool
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You have two options:
(1) drive them (the etiquette police) nuts with "old" gear or (2) really drive them nuts with a combination of old and new. Either are excellent. The MK-5 is still used as the design for a number of companies lines. Nothing wrong at all with them.
Welcome to the world of 109's. I have 9 of them, mostly on MK-10s, though I am working on a MK-5 for a pony set-up right now (converting it to DIN). I like to drive the "gear geeks" nuts with one I have on a MK-17.....
I also have one that looks like a complete disaster, that is functionally perfect...... and is internally actually a 156 without the cover plate logo... (essentially G250v guts).
You might be better off with the 109 as a secondary though. The 555 can't be adjusted, and may be an issue as a secondary. I'd get another 109.....(then again, I love 109s....)
(1) drive them (the etiquette police) nuts with "old" gear or (2) really drive them nuts with a combination of old and new. Either are excellent. The MK-5 is still used as the design for a number of companies lines. Nothing wrong at all with them.
Welcome to the world of 109's. I have 9 of them, mostly on MK-10s, though I am working on a MK-5 for a pony set-up right now (converting it to DIN). I like to drive the "gear geeks" nuts with one I have on a MK-17.....
I also have one that looks like a complete disaster, that is functionally perfect...... and is internally actually a 156 without the cover plate logo... (essentially G250v guts).
You might be better off with the 109 as a secondary though. The 555 can't be adjusted, and may be an issue as a secondary. I'd get another 109.....(then again, I love 109s....)
Rich Keller
Contributor
Good choice, the MK5 and R109 are at least every bit as good as what is on the market today and in my opinion better. I also use a MK3 and R108HP for shallow dives.
Zung
Contributor
I love my MK20/156 (Balanced Adjustable), a close second to my MK20/G250 in terms of ease of breathing, and a lot better in terms of bragging right. I have a few MK5's I haven't dived yet, but my MK20's are rock steady so there's no rush.
I strongly suggest investing in a 2 dollars manometer and a screw driver to fine tune your seconds. 1 inch/25 millimeter of water is about right.
I strongly suggest investing in a 2 dollars manometer and a screw driver to fine tune your seconds. 1 inch/25 millimeter of water is about right.
WeldonDowd
Contributor
I use a 156 as primary on a mk16 because it breathed as good as the s550 that I was using but looked cooler.
You have a classic combo. I have the same rig, and it is a winning combination. Enjoy it and dive it often. The Mk5 and R109 is a tried and true All-Star from ScubaPro's golden age.
elan
Contributor
:cool3: One day, one day I might get them , I my wife sees another regulator coming into the house I will be sleeping on the carpet 
I replaced my mk3/108 set with new oceanic when an LSD told me it couldn't be serviced.(never went back to that shop). Have since upgraded old gear to mk3/109/108 set and will be proudly makin them nuts in grand cayman at the end of the month. That old stuff is better than the new stuff. Wear it proudly. Btw the older 109's have a poppet upgrade. I can't figure out links on my iPad yet but you can find advice on a thread called scuba pro 109 poppet upgrade- Here we go again.....
---------- Post added April 4th, 2012 at 01:07 AM ----------
Btw according to this group. 109's are modern gear not vintage. Oddly enough I found the most accepting forum for this gear is in DIY as its too old for modern shops and not old enough for vintage. It might be time to have a mid vintage forum.
---------- Post added April 4th, 2012 at 01:07 AM ----------
Btw according to this group. 109's are modern gear not vintage. Oddly enough I found the most accepting forum for this gear is in DIY as its too old for modern shops and not old enough for vintage. It might be time to have a mid vintage forum.
AfterDark
Contributor
I've been using the same combo since I bought it new in 1968. I bought a used one a couple of years ago an use them both for my ID's.
You can expect years of trouble free service.
You can expect years of trouble free service.
The only major change I woud suggest to your plans is to not "get them serviced' but do it yourself. Not only is that combo a first class reg, it's a perfect first DIY choice as well. Loads of help here with any issues you have.......on second thought, if that regs is going where I think it is, go with it and learn to service it there.
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