Help me to choose a right regulator

[Sveta]

Hey there, i'm sorry, i have seen tons of threads with the same question: So what is the best one on the market right now? I have talked to my diving instructor and after some readings and research came to 3 -
1) Apeks ATX200 ( haven't figured out the difference between XTX and ATX, and yes, i read a thread below :huh: )
2) Scubapro MK25/S600
3) Aqualung Legend XL

And yes, weight and size do matter to me because i plan to carry it with me everywhere i go.

Another question. I know there is a difference in using a warm water regulator in cold water, but is there any damage to a cold water regulator if i use it in warm water? I do not like cold weather and i don't think i will dive when it's below +10C but if i purchase a cold water regulator, does it mean it's equally good for both - cold and warm.
Thanks

 

[goodeatsfan]

Hiya Sveta! Nice Avatar! Anyway, what I'm going to say is based purely my own opinion. If your choice is between these 3 regs, I wouldn't worry overly about the differences in weight and size, as whatever differences are miniscule enough to ignore. They are all GREAT regs to own whichever you choose.

Only recently, I was looking for reg sets for my wife and I and made pretty similar choices as you. In the end, we went with the XTX200 because of it's performance, reputation and design. Performance-wise, all 3 are pretty similar, as well as reputation. (Apeks is now owned by Aqualung anyway). So in the end, it was the design that sold us and of course local support (warranty and servicing).

The only difference between a Cold Water Reg and a Warm Water reg is the environmental sealing and maybe some heat sinking (if any). so YES, Cold water regs perform just as well in both warm and cold water environments. Hope this helps! Good Luck!

 

[Quarrior]

Hi Sveta,

I see you're from NYC, so I'm guessing you plan to do some diving up and down the coast. I'd definately go with a cold water reg so that leaves out the ScubaPro you have on your list. There is a modification that can be done to make it work in cold water, but I don't like to fix things that are brand new to make them work.

Another reg to add to your list is Zeagle DSV with DX second stage and DX OCTO. Go to www.zeagle.com to check out their regs.

 

[DandyDon]

Hi Sveta,

I see you're from NYC, so I'm guessing you plan to do some diving up and down the coast. I'd definately go with a cold water reg so that leaves out the ScubaPro you have on your list. There is a modification that can be done to make it work in cold water, but I don't like to fix things that are brand new to make them work.

Another reg to add to your list is Zeagle DSV with DX second stage and DX OCTO. Go to www.zeagle.com to check out their regs.

I think you missed this: "I do not like cold weather and i don't think i will dive when it's below +10C"... 10c/50F is certainly not too cold for the MK-25. I've had mine to that and below many times; no problems.

I do think she's looking for a good reg for her travels, tho - not local diving so much.

 

[wunat]

1) Apeks ATX200 ( haven't figured out the difference between XTX and ATX, and yes, i read a thread below :huh: )
2) Scubapro MK25/S600
3) Aqualung Legend XL

If I am going for Apeks, I will probably go for the newer XTX series since ATX100 and ATX200 since the XTX series comes will the standard 3/8" LP port. The 1/2" on the ATX100 and ATX200 would require special size hose or an adapter.

Though I am a big fan of Apeks, I think I would choose Scubapro MK25/S600.

Another question. I know there is a difference in using a warm water regulator in cold water, but is there any damage to a cold water regulator if i use it in warm water? I do not like cold weather and i don't think i will dive when it's below +10C but if i purchase a cold water regulator, does it mean it's equally good for both - cold and warm.

Cold water regulators have environmental seals on their 1st stages. Among the choices on your list, only the Scubapro MK25 doesn't come with such feature. But I think they have add-on options for that.

Though environmental sealed 1st stages are usually design for use in cold water, using it in warm water is not a problem at all. In fact some believe that the fact that the 1st stage is sealed, the inner chambers are clean of small particles and etc.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

There is not an add on option to seal the Mk 25, but the Mk 17 is fully sealed. It is also lighter weight and more compact. I switched from the Mk 20/Mk 25 to the Mk 17for cold water and technical diving. You will not notice any drop in performance compared t theMk 25 as the Mk 17 delivers more than enough air (177 SCFM) but you will gain in terms of cold water reliability in temps below about 40-45 degrees F as the Mk 17 is the most bullet proof cld water reg I have ever used. The fully sealed design also makes rinsing and maintainence simpler when traveling.

Scubapro packages the Mk17 with the S555 and X650, but you can order with any second stage you prefer and the Mk 17 S600 is a popular combination with people who special order from their dealer. ou don't get a LP port swivel on a MK 17, bu then you don't get them on either the Apex or Aqualung Legend either.

Personally, I'd add the Mk 17 with either an S600 or X650 second stage to your list for consideration. It is an excellent design with excellent cold water performance (better than either the Apex or Legend first stages you are considering) and as indicated above it is comparatively lightweight, compact, and easy to rinse making it very travel freindly.

 

[sandersondiver]

I agree with the above advice as far as the cold water reg in the MK17, with it being completely enviromentally sealed, however you did say that you weren't going to be doing much cold water diving under 10c/50f. In that case, I would definitely go with the MK25/S600. I've been diving it as a professional ever since it came out, AND HAVE ZERO PROBLEMS WITH IT.

 

[SangP]

Sveta,

Something else for you to consider is the support for servicing the reg. I'll rather stay away from Scubapro regs not cus they aren't good but rather the way the they market their product here in Singapore.

1. the local distributor won't even consider bringing the MK17 cus they can make a lot more selling the MK25. Lies about expensive tools needed for the job is one of the excuses.

2. Scubapro parts cost quite a bit more than Apeks here and their regs seem to change in models more often than necessary.

3. Getting parts for a older model is a lot more expensive and it's just cheaper to keep buying newer regs here.

4. Apeks regs are totally reliable, cheaper to service and cus they hardly change models, it may be cheaper to have a apeks in the long run.

Just my 2 cents.

SangP

 

[DandyDon]

SanP, that doesn't sound right? I think the parts are free for life for the Mk-25 reg, which has changed little over the years - but I can't confirm this for a couple of days.

Do you have some credentials to make up you accusations, please...??

 

[Daveo957]

Yea.. all scubapro regs come with free parts for life, so thats not an issue..... may be just me but apeks regs fall out of adjusment easy, always had to get mine tuned so it wouldnt freeflow. I would go with the scubapro.