Mk17/g250v vs. Mk19/x650

[goldenwingk]

so i've been doing alot of research lately on the MK17/G250V
and i ended up comming across the new MK19/X650
supposibley the MK19 is a better newer version of the MK17?!?

along with the X650 is built to be better then the G250V
so far i couldnt find this in canada but on websites its only being produced in europe right now.

does anyone have any information about the 2 regs??

Developed from the popular MK17, the MK19high performance, and versatile overbalanced diaphragm first stage with dry ambient chamber and swivel turret, built for harsh environments.

This is a special combination of 1st and 2nd stages that offer the best possible resistance to cold water diving. The MK19 with the dry ambient chamber and warming fins and the X650will allow extreme exposure to cold water. This regulator combination will set new standards for polar expeditions and high altitude mountain lake diving.

is this true at all?? and should i maybe look forward in waiting for this to be avaiable in canada????

 

[bamamedic]

I think the MK19 is the same as the MK17, except that it has a swivel turret on the first stage, which can make hose routing easier, especially with doubles.

 

[Isaac-1]

Without restarting a whole lot of stuff, may I suggest you do a search on the X650 and all the issues.

 

[John_B]

You do know you don't have to buy the packages as marketed? If you could get an MK19 in the US, you could order it with G250V second stages (or whatever).

(Thanks BWD, brainfart on my part).

 

[BlueWaterDiving]

A 250v is a second stage or whatever.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

The X650 has been discontinued. It is not a bad reg - along the lines of S600 performance - but it never lived up to the D400 it replaced.

There was a recall due mostly to it being introduced before being fully developed, but that was resolved.

My biggest beef (other than not living up to D400 performance levels) was that the spoked diaphragm cover under the rubber purge cover was fragile. If you drop the reg just right, the spoked cover breaks one or two spokes on the bottom, and they get driven through the diaphragm and you end up with holes in your diaphragm which makes for a really wet breathing reg.

If you get a Mk 19 X650 be advised the X650 is discontinued adn consequently SP dealers are not bound by any prce restrictions and coudl sell it at or, if they were stupid, even below cost. In general cost on big ticket scuba items is about half of MSRP so a 30-40% discount would not be unreasonable to expect on a discontinued item. SP is good about parts and service support on DC'd items so if you get it from a dealer you still get all the other authorized dealer bennies.

The Mk 19 is indeed a Mk 17 with a 5 port swivel turret. As for hose routing I like the Mk 17 just fine on doubles - better than a Mk 25 or Mk 19. But on a single tank, I'd prefer a Mk 19 if I used a conventional octo or a dry suit and I'd prefer the Mk 17 if I used an Air 2 with a wet suit.

I am a big fan of the G250V and feel it is the best second stage currently available anywhere. SP will sell any first stage with any second stage, the dealer just has to order them individually.