MK25/S6500 v. B2

[Hoosier]

I also heard a rumor that S600 will be replaced as well.

I don't know anything about S600 replacement. OP asked X650, not S600......

Currently, I have four S600 and three G250HP. For the cold water, G250HP works fine in 39 F degree water in Mid-west. I had a free-flowing issue with S600 though....

OP asked SP and Atomic, so MK17 will be another option instead of Apeks in his/her brand choice. I also have Apeks ATX100s for the double set and it works great, too.

 

[servicetech]

s-600 is a good second stage, and the mk-25 is a good first stage. the only down side to the scubapros is they arent very good cold water regs, they have been having issues with them in cold water from day one.
if you are going to go with the atomic regs, go with the sealed first stage. its packed with crystol lube to prevent cold water freeze ups.
the other issue i dont like about scubapro is that they dont provide a full service kit on any of thier products.
atomic does, you have to pay for them, but its still a full kit at time of service.

good luck
mike

 

[Hoosier]

the other issue i dont like about scubapro is that they dont provide a full service kit on any of thier products.
atomic does, you have to pay for them, but its still a full kit at time of service.

good luck
mike

What parts are included in the full service kit compared to SP annual kit?

 

[sandersondiver]

Hey there sevicetech, I'm not really sure where you have been doing your research, but Scubapro has one of the best annual kits available today. All of their kits are FULL kits including every oring, HP seat, LP seat, teflon washer, and or brass c-clip that is necessary for an annual service. Next time check your facts.

 

[Eduardo]

I am looking to buy a nice regulator that is easy breathing and dry. Two that I am intrigued by are the Scuba Pro MK25/S650 and the Atomic B2. Thoughts on which of these I should prefer, and why? Any others I should consider? Thanks.

I was at the LDS today looking at the same two regulators. From a 'bang for your buck' perspective, wouldn't the 2 year service interval (at $60) of the Atomic ultimately be a big factor in its favor over the Scubapro?

Seems that both regs have comparable features otherwise.

Does any shop do better than a 10% discount on Atomic?

 

[Scuba Do]

I spoke today with a LDS that promotes Scuba Pro, but is authorized for Atomic (does not carry in stock, but can order). When I asked about the Atomic, and he seemed dumbstruck, asking me why I would want Atomic when I could get SP (perhaps his relationship bias showed), which he said was far and away the best in the business. He said that the 1st stage on the Atomic is essentially the MK-10, which, he said, is 15 year old technology and cannot touch either the MK-17 or the MK-25. He also said that for some technical school, you can only get in with SB or Apex. Atomics are not allowed. Any truth to this?

 

[EvaL]

Both are excellent regs, have similar roots as others have said and in my opinion shouldn't have perceptible differences in performance. I've recently purchased Atomic B2 - it seems to perform marginally better than my 5 yr old Oceanic Delta 2. One issue you might want to note is not many dealers/diveshops (esp. overseas ones) carry parts for Atomic. Although unlikely, but if they break or need maintenance while you're traveling to areas that happen to be without Atomic dealers, it might be hard to find parts for them. In contrast, many diveshops/repair facilities carry ScubaPro parts.
Aside frm this, all things being equal, I'd say get whichever is cheaper or whichever diveshop offers better service.
Dive safely.

 

[Hoosier]

Hey there sevicetech, I'm not really sure where you have been doing your research, but Scubapro has one of the best annual kits available today. All of their kits are FULL kits including every oring, HP seat, LP seat, teflon washer, and or brass c-clip that is necessary for an annual service. Next time check your facts.

Yes. ScubaPro part is the easiest part to get around world thanks to their deal network. I still don't get his point....

 

[Dan Gibson]

Well, if you listen to some of the old timers in the technical world, the MK10/G250 is and was one of the best ever. I have several MK10/G250s I use for stage regs. They are very easy to service in the field and are great breathers. The only problems with Atomic regs are they are generally more expensive to purchase and the service costs more due to no free parts (although the parts kits tend to be less expensive than the SP part kits if you service your own). It's also likely more difficult to get Atomic regs serviced throughout the world compared to SP.

As for SP or Apeks only in tech diving, that's not even close to true.

I spoke today with a LDS that promotes Scuba Pro, but is authorized for Atomic (does not carry in stock, but can order). When I asked about the Atomic, and he seemed dumbstruck, asking me why I would want Atomic when I could get SP (perhaps his relationship bias showed), which he said was far and away the best in the business. He said that the 1st stage on the Atomic is essentially the MK-10, which, he said, is 15 year old technology and cannot touch either the MK-17 or the MK-25. He also said that for some technical school, you can only get in with SB or Apex. Atomics are not allowed. Any truth to this?