MK17 EVO vs MK25 EVO

[Kryssa]

Planning to buy a new reg set this year. My current Aeris set is 15 years old and hard to get parts for.

I am a recreational diver and almost exclusively dive warm water (70F+) I could see an occasional colder dive trip (California Channel Islands, down to mid-50s maybe?) but don't have anything planned. No tech/cave/wreck diving in my future.

I'm pretty sure I'm getting the S620TI second stage and just need to pick out a first stage.

I don't need the flow of the MK25 and I don't have a personal preference of piston vs diaphragm. (I'm coming from a diaphragm, but not sure I could tell the difference.)

Does the sealed diaphragm allow for a bit more abuse than the piston? I take care of my gear, but I'm far from perfect and it travels a lot.

I've seen people say the servicing costs are lower on the MK25 because the parts are cheaper. How true is this?

Will the MK 17 likely have parts available for just as long as the MK25?

The MK25 is $200 more expensive up front and I expect to own it for decades.

Thanks!

 

[davehicks]

Unless you really want a turret, i think the mk17 is a better choice. I own and use both but would trade my mk25s for mk17s in s heartbeat.

 

[Kryssa]

Unless you really want a turret, i think the mk17 is a better choice. I own and use both but would trade my mk25s for mk17s in s heartbeat.

Do you have the same second stages on them? Can you tell a difference?

I don't think I have a need for a turret.

 

[davehicks]

Yes same. No difference. Breathing perception is largely dependent on the 2nd stage and its tuning.

 

[lexvil]

Go with the 17 and you are probably getting the good deal because there is a new 17evo2 out so they may be clearing out the old stock, I have each and for the $ difference I would opt for the older 17EVO.

 

[USdiver1]

You can't go wrong with either first stage. If money is a factor, go with the least expensive [although a piston first stage is less expensive to maintain than a diaphragm first stage].

 

[Nemrod]

The Mark 17 Evo is now replaced by the Mark 17 Evo II. The older Mark 17, pre Evo, is still an excellent first stage and serviceable.

However, for the stated missions including California, all the OP really needs is a Mark 11 or a Mark 11 Evo and a C370. This double sealing of diaphragm regulators only costs weight, size and $ and serves no real purpose for all but the coldest water diving.

The Mark 25 is a top performing regulator. Rinse it out after a dive and give it some TLC after a long trip and it will last for decades.

 

[Kryssa]

You can't go wrong with either first stage. If money is a factor, go with the least expensive [although a piston first stage is less expensive to maintain than a diaphragm first stage].

How much less expensive are we talking about?

 

[USdiver1]

How much less expensive are we talking about?

Repair kits for the Mk 25 run around $38 , those for the Mk 17 around $45. If you have a SP tech do your maintenance, remember the diaphragm Mk 17 is more complex than the piston Mk 25, and a rebuild may take the tech longer to perform on the Mk 17 than on the Mk 25, this additional labor will be billed to you at the tech's rate as well.

SP no longer offers free parts for life if you only purchase a regulator from a dealer. Maybe plan on $150 - 175 for a Mk 25 / S620TI annual maintenance and $175 - $200 for the same annual maintenance on a Mk 17 / S620TI.

 

[Kryssa]

Repair kits for the Mk 25 run around $38 , those for the Mk 17 around $45. If you have a SP tech do your maintenance, remember the diaphragm Mk 17 is more complex than the piston Mk 25, and a rebuild may take the tech longer to perform on the Mk 17 than on the Mk 25, this additional labor will be billed to you at the tech's rate as well.

SP no longer offers free parts for life if you only purchase a regulator from a dealer. Maybe plan on $150 - 175 for a Mk 25 / S620TI annual rebuild and $175 - $200 for the same annual rebuild on a Mk 17 / S620TI.

The shop has a standard $125 charge for a full reg set service, plus parts, so the difference would be about $7 for me. This is really helpful information - thanks!