ecudiver
Contributor
just curious what everyone thinks of the mk11 my LDS suggested it to me and just wanted to see what everyone on the board thought or any experiences with it?
mk11
- Thread starter ecudiver
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The MK11 is an eviromentally sealed diaphram regulator. It is pretty much the same thing as the MK17 without the swivel. They even use the same parts kit. Match it with something like a S555, (balanced 2nd stage), and you should have no problems. You can't go wrong with Scubapro.
Sanderson diver almost has it right.
The Mk 16 was the same as the Mk 18, except the Mk 18 had a swivel. Neither of those was a sealed design.
The Mk 17 is essentially an updated Mk 16 that includes an improved seat carrier design as well as a fully sealed ambient chamber. The Mk 11 is a Mk 17, but without the sealed ambient chamber.
Both the Mk 11 and Mk 17 have 1 HP port and 2 LP ports on seach side of the reg, for a total of 2 HP ports and 4 LP ports.
Price wise, my understanding was that the dealer cost differed by about $20 and I would expect the retail price difference on the first stage to be around $40. For the exta $40, I'd buy the sealed Mk 17. It will be bullet prooof in cold water if you ever decide to dive cold water and in silty water or salt water, the sealed design makes rinsing the reg after a dive a lot easier and abit less critical.
The Mk 16 was the same as the Mk 18, except the Mk 18 had a swivel. Neither of those was a sealed design.
The Mk 17 is essentially an updated Mk 16 that includes an improved seat carrier design as well as a fully sealed ambient chamber. The Mk 11 is a Mk 17, but without the sealed ambient chamber.
Both the Mk 11 and Mk 17 have 1 HP port and 2 LP ports on seach side of the reg, for a total of 2 HP ports and 4 LP ports.
Price wise, my understanding was that the dealer cost differed by about $20 and I would expect the retail price difference on the first stage to be around $40. For the exta $40, I'd buy the sealed Mk 17. It will be bullet prooof in cold water if you ever decide to dive cold water and in silty water or salt water, the sealed design makes rinsing the reg after a dive a lot easier and abit less critical.
Hi Ecudiver,
I'm looking at the MK11 as well. I like Sandersondiver's suggestion to pair it with the S555. You really don't need more than that: the s555 is a very efficient and comfortable second stage.
I'm currently diving an MK16/S500. I Love it!! A wonderful breather, simple and reliable. (s550 is modest enhancement of the s500)
Per DA Aquamaster - MK11 looks to be MK17 w/o the sealed chamber. And the MK17is simply an enhanced MK16. What's that mean in reality? For me, two things: 1) MK11 not as good for cold and silty water as the MK17; 2) MK11 is lighter and smaller than MK17.
I bought the MK16 for cold water diving (great lakes, new england). Are you planning on cold/silty water diving?
In my case... turns out that I never dive cold water. Turns out that I keep going to relatively warm places. Turns out that light weight really matters when you're lugging dive gear through airports. Turns out that the MK11 looks perfect for me.
Looks like my GF might get really really lucky and get my MK16/S500 cuz I'm costing out an MK11/s550
- Al
I'm looking at the MK11 as well. I like Sandersondiver's suggestion to pair it with the S555. You really don't need more than that: the s555 is a very efficient and comfortable second stage.
I'm currently diving an MK16/S500. I Love it!! A wonderful breather, simple and reliable. (s550 is modest enhancement of the s500)
Per DA Aquamaster - MK11 looks to be MK17 w/o the sealed chamber. And the MK17is simply an enhanced MK16. What's that mean in reality? For me, two things: 1) MK11 not as good for cold and silty water as the MK17; 2) MK11 is lighter and smaller than MK17.
I bought the MK16 for cold water diving (great lakes, new england). Are you planning on cold/silty water diving?
In my case... turns out that I never dive cold water. Turns out that I keep going to relatively warm places. Turns out that light weight really matters when you're lugging dive gear through airports. Turns out that the MK11 looks perfect for me.
Looks like my GF might get really really lucky and get my MK16/S500 cuz I'm costing out an MK11/s550
- Al
OP
ecudiver
Contributor
i am planning on diving off of north carolina so it doesnt get to cold there and a little diving in tropical areas. so know were to cold
Carribeandiver
Guest
got one, love it.
OP
ecudiver
Contributor
cool deal i will be going with the mk11 then
strider
Guest
1gromit:Looks like my GF might get really really lucky and get my MK16/S500 cuz I'm costing out an MK11/s550
- Al
Just an FYI - Next time you have your MK16 serviced you can have the seat and poppet upgraded to the same setup as the MK17 and if you're still maintaining your warranty the upgrade is free.
The main advantage to the design of the mk17 seat is that it locks up tighter than the mk16 and it isn't as prone to developing an IP creep when it gets nasty, rusty or dirty air run through it in tropical places.
Last weekend I tried my new MK17/R395 regulator. Breaths effortllessly, quiet and dry. Hose routing no problem for 7' main and bungied backup. For me the mouthpiece was uncomfortable and will be changing that for sure. Retail cost difference between the MK17 and MK11 in my location was about 100US
However if I could find a cheap way (here in Taiwan) to put a 5' or 7' hose on my Atomic B2 the MK17/R395 would still be in the display cabinet at the LDS.
However if I could find a cheap way (here in Taiwan) to put a 5' or 7' hose on my Atomic B2 the MK17/R395 would still be in the display cabinet at the LDS.
strider
Guest
Couldn't you just take off the hose and swivel and replace it with a standard 5' or 7' hose?
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