Metal second stages

[FishOutUvH2O]

I have a couple metal 2nds with good size dents. They still work fine. A plastic 2nd would have cracked under the same force and been unusable.

You should be nicer to your equipment. Seriously, it must have taken a pretty serious impact to dent that metal 2nd. I've had AL80 and steel 120's fly-up when the boat hits a swell or big wake and land on my 2nd with no damage other than scratches. So, the plastic seems pretty tough. I guess it depends on what may happen to the 2nd. Doing the type of diving I do, that's about as bad as accidents to a 2nd stage get. Short of somehow getting it ran over by a car. Others may do diving where there's the possibility of worse things happening to a 2nd stage. My point is, that for the average recreational diver, which I imagine makes up the bulk of most scuba manufacturers consumer, plastic seems to be plenty tough.

And, a metal second with dents and damage in most cases the damage can be worked out, the reg rechromed and it is good for another twenty years. Plastic just goes into the landfill. The new green eco conscious philosophy is to design and build products to be rebuilt, reused rather than to contribute to global pollution. Everything that you toss on the ground eventually winds up in the ocean.

N

I agree that manufacturers should put more consideration into how the materials they use may impact the environment, but using chrome plated anything is just as bad as plastics for the environment. The chemicals used to chrome are some of the nastiest around. And they often end-up being disposed of by dumping them down the drain to find there way into the nearest water table. So I agree with what your saying about environmental impact, I just don't agree that plastic is worse than chrome plated metal.

I'm also not a staunch advocate of plastic 2nd stages. I really am curious to know the pro's and con's of both.

 

[Mark Michaud SELAUSAR]

Depending on the diving you do, a solid whack on metal can cause a freeflow. Most will never deal with that but I have seen it happen........but only once. I prefer the plastic with a front that can be taken apart in the water. I have been in places where my regs have gathered limestone and other crud that caused the purge button to stick open or partially open. By being able to switch to a back-up, I can remove the cover, get the crud out and put it back together and continue my dive. If you are not doing diving that would put you in that situation, metal is pretty good. I still have 2 balanced adjustbales and they breath as a 250 (same guts). I use them in the open water quite often. Basically you reg should match your diving needs.

 

[Greg Barlow]

Depending on the diving you do, a solid whack on metal can cause a freeflow. Most will never deal with that but I have seen it happen........but only once. I prefer the plastic with a front that can be taken apart in the water. I have been in places where my regs have gathered limestone and other crud that caused the purge button to stick open or partially open. By being able to switch to a back-up, I can remove the cover, get the crud out and put it back together and continue my dive. If you are not doing diving that would put you in that situation, metal is pretty good. I still have 2 balanced adjustbales and they breath as a 250 (same guts). I use them in the open water quite often. Basically you reg should match your diving needs.

My four different Mares Proton Metal second stages can be easily disassembled underwater, and they offer USN Class A ratings. Whether I am breathing air at 150' or diving caves, they offer great performance and ultra robust construction.

Greg Barlow

 

[CaboJim]

Did you buy the A700 separately or packaged with the MK25?
I'm interested in buying only the 2nd stage, because my primary rig is the S600/MK25.
I have been told that SP isn't selling the A700 separately.

 

[cbmech2]

Something else that you could say about brass/metal regulators is that the condensation that collects helps in preventing a dry mouth and throat.

 

[divinginn]

Everyone is forgetting the most important feature of brass seconds,That they look cool like a 57 chevy with all the chrome,and they seem to last forever.

 

[DennisS]

When I first started diving back in the 70's, we were told not to wear shiny jewelry because baracuda might strike at the flash of jewelry, like a fishing lure. We then put a large piece of chrome in the middle of our face, never made sense to me.

 

[Ed Palma]

When I first started diving back in the 70's, we were told not to wear shiny jewelry because baracuda might strike at the flash of jewelry, like a fishing lure. We then put a large piece of chrome in the middle of our face, never made sense to me.

:lol:

But I've decided to stick to my metal 2nd. Never noticed the weight and I've tuned it rather nicely. Never been out of breath. Never had dry mouth with it.

Screw the 'cuda!