Most well known "standard" regulator

[Eric Sedletzky]

The two most famous 2nd stages of all time are the Scubapro G250 and the Aqualung 1085 metal second stage.
The two most famous 1st stages of all time are the Aqualung Conshelf series and the Scubapro MK5 or MK10 (the jury is still out on that)
There has not been any significant changes or improvements in regulators since those models.
The G250 is the gold standard which still holds today, and it is the most copied 2nd stage if all time.
The Conshelf 1st stage still holds the record for the longest lasting design (since 1967) without a need for any upgrade. Parts are still available. I've seen those regs go up to 10 years or longer without a service and still work just fine.

 

[xanaphyst]

Almost all AL first stages (Conshelf, Titan, Titan LX, Core, Helix etc.) going back decades use the same internal parts and basic design with some variations and a few exceptions. Coupled with an AL 1085 second stage they can be forever. Not the highest performance but basic, reliable and easy to service*.

(*) AL was on the brink of going away and Mares has now aquired them and their sub company, Apeks. What that means going forward who knows. Last times that Mares bought a company it became no more and no longer supported (Voit and Dacor) though the aspiration Venturi tube of the Voit became common on Mares second stages to this day.

The Scubapro Mark 2 (now Evo) may be the most reliable and simple commonly available first stage ever. Also the Mark 11 now Evo. And a G250 (now G260) second stage with either.

Deep Six stuff because they sell you the service kits so you could learn to do the service yourself, perhaps?

That was a really good explanation. Thank you.

 

[xanaphyst]

Your titan will work great, no need to look further. Maybe someday (I doubt it) you’ll have trouble getting it serviced, then you can get something different.

Yeah I believe that's what I'm going to do. It sounds like I'm going to have an easy enough time with the Titan for some time in the foreseeable future.

 

[halocline]

The two most famous 2nd stages of all time are the Scubapro G250 and the Aqualung 1085 metal second stage.

Don’t forget that the G250 was essentially a plastic-cased balanced/adjustable (156). There was an adjustable Venturi vane, but otherwise same poppet assembly/spring/diaphragm/orifice.

The two most famous 1st stages of all time are the Aqualung Conshelf series and the Scubapro MK5 or MK10

The MK10 was, IMO, a slight step back from the MK5. Still great, but the real groundbreaker was the MK5 and still is my favorite. And the following balanced piston models (MK15-20-25) took more from the MK5 than the MK10.

 

[BoltSnap]

You folks are stuck in the past, the very distant past, and never able to just get on with it. Just like the folks here who are stuck on manual shift and always find a way to dismiss automatic. Gets boring after a while.

 

[halocline]

You folks are stuck in the past, the very distant past, and never able to just get on with it. Just like the folks here who are stuck on manual shift and always find a way to dismiss automatic. Gets boring after a while.

I have MK25s as well, and I use them, but if I had to choose I would keep the MK5s. I really don’t find it boring or exciting to use 40 year old regulators; I just find it extremely reliable and dependable to have 1st stages for cave diving that I’ve never ever seen creep, even after several years of use between rebuilds.

In terms of newer 2nd stages, I just don’t like them for the diving I do as well as the old metal case 2nds, for reasons I’ve posted a bunch of times. But I’ve certainly breathed off of S600s, atomics, etc..and they all work fine.

 

[scubadada]

I have MK25s as well, and I use them, but if I had to choose I would keep the MK5s. I really don’t find it boring or exciting to use 40 year old regulators; I just find it extremely reliable and dependable to have 1st stages for cave diving that I’ve never ever seen creep, even after several years of use between rebuilds.

In terms of newer 2nd stages, I just don’t like them for the diving I do as well as the old metal case 2nds, for reasons I’ve posted a bunch of times. But I’ve certainly breathed off of S600s, atomics, etc..and they all work fine.

I still have a MK5/109 that I bought in 1972. I think the 109 has a somewhat higher work of breathing due to a smaller exhaust valve. I dive a MK25/S600. The 109 is beautiful.

 

[Robert H. Diver]

Probably any/all scuba pros but there’s really no correct answer

 

[Mobulai]

the most accessible to service anywhere?
I’d lean simple design that any “brand” tech can deal with, and simple part requirements

1st stage: Scubapro Mk2 (and clones), AL designs are a close 2nd in my opinion (the higher part count makes it lose points)
2nd: hmm… tough to say, R series 2nds from Scubapro (or similar designs) aa just because you can simply flip over the seat

Btw this would be the „lowest tier“ combo — which is why it’s very common to find the same setup (unbalanced 1st/2nd) as rental fleet at shops/schools
It wouldn’t be the best functionality

I personally go with mk20/25s + g250s — can Service them anywhere (myself)
The part count is for sure a bit higher, but sure enough very easy to deal with and rebuild (and both are beautifully balanced)
Here’s a set of 3 I just cleaned earlier today

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

You folks are stuck in the past, the very distant past, and never able to just get on with it. Just like the folks here who are stuck on manual shift and always find a way to dismiss automatic. Gets boring after a while.

You got that bass ackwards. Auto gets boring. Stick throws in a side serving of interesting.

Plus, if one is an auto-only car rider*, then you may well be SOL on the trip to Bonaire.


*One doesn't "drive" an auto, they just ride along, occasionally steering and braking.