Most well known "standard" regulator

[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 View attachment 910785

Idiot me — I meant to attach the other picture of an mk2 beside an mk20 for contrast

Mind you, both are for sure simpler in comparison to diaphragm regs, esp SP ones
But again, any trained tech should be able to deal with most variances that they didn’t learn to — the exceptions are really „rare“ designs

It’s the availability of service parts that makes or breaks the model

I went once to a Scubapro only tech in Dahab (didn’t know), and asked him to service my cressi mc9 (diaphragm), he told me no issues and should be easy after checking its schematics online, the only thing he needs from me is the HP seat (I didn’t have it so I moved on — this is my DIY origin story btw)

 

[rjack321]

Honestly if you are traveling and the reg fails you'll be renting the rest of your trip - unless you brought your own spare which is a bunch of luggage weight for a really remote failure. I think most of us would pass on having any old random shop monkey work on our regs, and that's assuming they even have the parts in stock.

 

[Pressurehead]

Honestly if you are traveling and the reg fails you'll be renting the rest of your trip - unless you brought your own spare which is a bunch of luggage weight for a really remote failure

My spare is a Mk2 and weighs bugger all, jocks and socks stay behind before the Mk2 is left on the shelf.
Mk2 are everywhere [or clone copies] as rentals for resorts the world over for single cylinder holiday divers [and depths].

The title is " The most well known 'standard' regulator.
This [for me, as 1st stages go] is it, the Mk2 Scubapro.

 

[rx7diver]

... What's that one common 1st stage regulator that every shop in the world knows how to service?

I have a couple aqualung titans coming to the house but those can be stand by if you all have a different recommendation. ...

I've never dove an AL Titan, but they enjoy an excellent, long-lived reputation for reliability and ease of service.

I have a long history with the SP Mk10 + Balanced Adjustable. My first regs. First two were purchased new in 1987 and 1988. I own four. Bulletproof, very acceptable breathing, very simple, ubiquitous. Easily self-serviced, too. Still dive mine. They're everywhere on eBay. Sent my then-college sophomore daughter on her open water checkout and, a couple of weeks later, on her first ocean dive trip (to Roatan) with one of mine a couple of years ago.

Oh, and a G250, a SP second stage a bit newer than, but very similar to, the Balanced Adjustable, breathes even better, is just as common, and is just as easily serviced. I own one, purchased new in 1988. Still dive it.

rx7diver

 

[Mobulai]

I think most of us would pass on having any old random shop monkey work on our regs, and that's assuming they even have the parts in stock.

Besides me — I know 2 people I’d let service my regs (I’d be lucky actually to have them service my regs); @rsingler and @axxel57

Ok now I’m starting on DH experiment, so I bought my 1st one already serviced — but moving onwards I’ll also service it myself
Funny thing is, its “1st stage” is almost exactly that of a Titan

My spare is a Mk2 and weighs bugger all

this is the way

 

[Nemrod]

Besides me — I know 2 people I’d let service my regs (I’d be lucky actually to have them service my regs); @rsingler and @axxel57

Ok now I’m starting on DH experiment, so I bought my 1st one already serviced — but moving onwards I’ll also service it myself
Funny thing is, its “1st stage” is almost exactly that of a Titan


this is the way

The USD first stages in the Royal Aqua-master are essentially the same as the first stage in my wife's Legend. AL/USD pretty much just rehashed the same thing from then until now. Who knows what Mares is going to do with them. The second stages in the RAM and DA are not much different really from the 1085. Just a simple downstream valve.

The Mark 2E is so small and light that it along with a spare G250 usually goes with me for a backup set if not primary. A Mark 2E has, per the literature, a higher flow rate than the AL standard first stage. And a Mark 2E and a G250/G260 is completely adequate for any recreational sport diving to well below the usual 130 feet limit. But the Mark 2 is unbalanced so I do prefer it with a balanced high performance second stage like the G250.

 

[BoltSnap]

A SP MK2 paired with a C370 isn't that much less expensive than an MK11 with C370—only a few Euros. I'd rather buy an MK11/C370 than an MK2/C370, as it has a better first stage with a great second stage.

 

[Mobulai]

A SP MK2 paired with a C370 isn't that much less expensive than an MK11 with C370—only a few Euros. I'd rather buy an MK11/C370 than an MK2/C370, as it has a better first stage with a great second stage.

Buying new, sure — esp if you’re not hoarding mountains of regs
Buying it used: ~80€ v ~25€

But the mk2 has 2 advantages here, lower part count/simplicity —>

• cheaper kit/diy; way simpler to service in the field (as if it’s gonna fail )
• Lower amount of fuel (soft parts) so lower o2 fire risk, 2 of the mk2s are moving forward my deco regs (I wish they had a turret tho, buf that will over complicate things)

That said, I actually wanna get an mk11Evo since they are so tiny for rec single tank diving to replace my cressi mc9

 

[BoltSnap]

But the mk2 has 2 advantages here, lower part count/simplicity —>

• cheaper kit/diy; way simpler to service in the field (as if it’s gonna fail )
• Lower amount of fuel (soft parts) so lower o2 fire risk, 2 of the mk2s are moving forward my deco regs (I wish they had a turret tho, buf that will over complicate things)

We are talking about recreational divers going on vacations.

 

[Mobulai]

We are talking about recreational divers going on vacations.

True, you got a point there
Then only my first point matters in this context
(Sorry I literally just serviced 15 mk20/25s and 2 mk2s with the exact idea that tge mk2s are for deco/backup so my bias betrayed me; my hands and brain hurt )