MK16+ vs MK17

[rstofer]

In the back of my mind, I am considering the SP MK17 and G250V. Yea, sure, like I can afford it...

I mentioned it at the LDS today and the salesman thought the MK17 had been replaced by the MK16+. Nothing about a 16+ on the SP site.

Is there a difference between the first stages? Is the MK17 really obsolete? I am thinking specifically about cold water performance at recreational depths.

 

[Skooter]

That sounds almost backwards. The MK 16 is on its way out, still a current model though. The MK 17 is going to be in production for a long time. For cold water the MK 17 would be the best choice of the two.

 

[DIVESeekers Jason]

Hello rstofer,

The back of the mind thing can really cause financial havoc!

The MK17 is the new Flagship 1st stg for SCUBAPRO and yes it did replace the MK16 (discontinued and nolonger available)

The MK17/G250V is sweet and breaths like butter!
We are a fully Authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer, and have a huge stock! If you need anything just PM me or call me toll free 888-728-2247

 

[Daz]

FWIW - I absolutely love my Mk17/G250v combo. It's the smoothest breathing reg set I've used in the last 20+ years.

 

[Daveo957]

mk 17 is a very nice

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The Mk 17 is an evolutionary development of the Mk 16. The Mk 17 has two Hp ports and a fully sealed ambient chamber. It also uses a different seat and alignment system - which is by the way retrofitted into Mk 16's when they come in for service. So the Mk 16 is a very good reg and is more or les equivlent to the current unsealed version of the Mk 17 - the Mk 11.

 

[b1gcountry]

IIRC the Mk11 can even be converted to a Mk17. Is this right, or am I just making that up. Also, the last I looked at things the Mk25/S600 was being pushed as the top of the line SP reg. Has this changed?

I'm currently diving a set of Mk17s with a S555 and G250V backup, FWIW. They're nice, but I really can't say they breathe any better than my 25yo Sherwood Magnum. Even at 90'. I know that's considered heresy, but whatever. Maybe I just haven't stressed they enough to notice a difference, I don't know.

Tom

 

[Daz]

You're using the s555 as your primary and G250V as secondary? May I ask why? The G250V is adjustable and has a metal air barrel and AKAIK, the s555 isn't and doesn't. I'd switch them around and see how they compare.

I just recently changed to the Mk17/G250V from my old favorite Sherwood Classic (about 15 yrs old). I initially changed regs because my first stage only had 1 HP port and I needed 2. After trying the new regs, I really prefer the Mk17/G250V to my old Sherwood set(s).

 

[halocline]

In the back of my mind, I am considering the SP MK17 and G250V. Yea, sure, like I can afford it...

If money's really an issue, there are plenty of used G250s on ebay. You can also find MK16s pretty inexpensively. That leaves the issue of the environmental seal for cold water use. So, you should ask yourself how cold...unless you're diving sub40F water, I wouldn't be too worried about the sealed first stage. You would have to add in the cost of an initial rebuild, but it's something to consider.

 

[rstofer]

I jest about money being a problem, it isn't.

My real question wasn't about the MK16 but, rather, the MK16+ (whatever that is). My LDS shows, in their computer, a MK16+/G250V combination and I have no idea what the MK16+ is all about.

DA Aquamaster has recommended the MK17/G250V and that's good enough for me. When I decide to upgrade the choice is between that setup, the Dive Rite Hurricane (which I bought for my son-in-law) or the Oceanic Delta4/FDX10 (probably without DVT). I'm thinking about regulators for cold & deep dives, never intending to do either.

In the meantime, I am diving with Oceanic Omega II's and I have cornered the world's market on used regs via eBay. They're obsolete with only a couple of redeeming features but I LIKE THEM.

Richard