Local Score! – G250 & 2 MK10

[1967Goat]

I’ve got about 30 dives under my belt and decided back in November that I need my own gear. My 2 boys are 8 & 9 and they are dying to go with me (Caribbean resort dives). 9 YO will take his OW this fall in preparation for his 10th B-day. 8 YO will do the same next year. So, I need lots of gear. Been reading tons here in the last few months and I’ve pretty much decided on getting G250’s for all 3 of us…Both as primary and alternate second stages ( 6 total). I am very “thrifty”, so I am always on the lookout for used stuff. Doesn’t matter what it is, I scour Craigslist looking for good condition used gear over new.

I look on CL a few times a week for anything interesting. I stumbled across a barely used setup for 2 people. I could tell the seller wasn’t a diver. His ad said a LDS told him the setup was worth about $500 (rolleyes, LOL). He listed everything for $300. At $300 I wasn’t interested. Earlier this week he lowered the price to $240. That piqued my interest. Form his picture I thought there were 2 G250’s, but when I met him today one was a G200B. I hadn’t heard of a 200B, but externally it was extremely similar to the 250. After I got home I found a posting on the G200B here:

Question about Scubapro G200B...

There were also 2 MK10 first stages. Everything is in EXCELLENT condition! All of the stuff looks like it was bought, used 1 time, and stuck in a closet. There are 2 consoles and some TUSA Liberator secondary regs, but I don’t really have an interest in them. I’ll throw everything in the classifieds here, cheap.

The 2 MK10’s don’t even have marks in the Allen head set screws! I believe a LDS serviced these back in Apr 2005 when it was all bought new, but that's just a guess. Next service was due in Apr 2006 according to the sleeve on the TUSA regs.

All of this for the bargain basement price of $200. I am beyond giddy right now! The close-up pictures make everything look way worse than it actually is. Corrosion is extremely limited. Air barrel looks perfect, just some smudges.

 

[rhwestfall]

They are older than 2005, but excellent! Enjoy them.

 

[runsongas]

g200b is missing the adjustment knob vs the g250. same situation as the tx40/atx40/xtx40 vs tx50/atx50/xtx50 in the apeks line.

 

[Couv]

Well done!

 

[1967Goat]

Well done!

I've read about 1,000 topics on SB since early December...I figured you'd like my new combo.

I spend too much time reading here, my work is suffering!

 

[1967Goat]

I truly feel blessed at having found this site. I have spent hours, and hours, and hours reading threads on everything scuba related. This site has so much knowledge it is amazing. I have never posted a question as every question I have ever thought of has been already asked and answered!

I re-read my Original post, and wanted to clarify something I wrote. I am planning on keeping both the first and second stages for me and my 2 boys to use, and selling the 2 TUSA regs and the 2 consoles. For some reason, above, I typed that I was selling everything. Maybe no one noticed, but I did. Poor wording on my part. I am super excited to have a near new set of MK10's and add to my stable of G250V's!!!

I've got a growing list of items I need to get from VDH and Herman.

 

[rddvet]

We need to stop bragging how good g250/mk10s are or the prices are going to rise. That g200b is a good reg. I had one for years. It’s basically a g250 minus the adjustment knob. It’s an excellent primary or secondary. G250 is better but a g200b is still better than most other regs out there.

 

[1967Goat]

I will now have 4 G25V's (arrival soon), 1 G250 and 1 G200B. For the three of us, we will probably all use the G250V's as primary, I'll take the 4th G250V as secondary and my kids will have a G250 and the G200B as their secondaries. Now I just need to find one more MK10, but I have plenty of time to do that now. SInce the cases are the same between the 250 and 200B (take the plug out) I can also look into "converting" the 200B. I can now look for a 250 with a cracked/broken case, but a good air barrel. It's nice to have options!...or, a way to rationalize spending more money, lol.

For the last few weeks I've been reading up on first stages, and was trying to decide between a MK17 and a MK25 (I am still new to all this). Then I was trying to decide if I wanted to go with an EVO. At the end of the day, those were overkill for my needs, but I was being sucked into the "latest and greatest" way of thinking. I am so glad I found these pristine MK10's.

 

[Couv]

Next service was due in Apr 2006 according to the sleeve on the TUSA regs.

Hi @1967Goat ,

Please tell me you are going to rebuild them or have them serviced. One of the problems with MK10s serviced then is the use of polyurethane seals. Sitting that long, even unused is a reason for concern.

Below are pictures of several regulator with a similar history.

Here you can see the MK10s disassembled-mostly they look pristine.

But have a look at the piston head seal and what is left of the stem seal on a couple of them.

 

[1967Goat]

Yes, absolutely I am going to rebuild them before using them. I watched several of Bryan's VDH videos on rebuilding/servicing. We even have a local rec pool that is 13' deep, so I will test everything there. I need to order a bunch of rebuild kits from Bryan in the next few weeks. These won't get wet for at least a month due to other things I have going on.

I am no stranger to rebuilding "things". I completely restored the GTO in my avatar, plus a IH Lo Boy tractor and tons of other things. I also re-load bullets, which you must be meticulous. I need to order a few tools from Herman as well.

I'm sure you'll see me in the DIY section...