Newbie: Scubapro MK2 R190 enough for me?

[agc1976]

I'm new to diving (just got my OW cert one week ago)

I don't want to rent equipment (have heard some horror stories about them). However, I don't have a lot of money to spend on my own equipment. I've done my research and have found that Scubapro's regs are good and reliable.

Being the MK2 R190 their entry-level model. Which limitations should I expect?

I will go diving once or twice a month. Puerto Rico (warm water). Haven't gone over 50ft deep yet but plan to do so in the future (~100ft.).

Will this regulator do the job?

Also, any reason why I should upgrade the 2nd stage to the R380? (I can afford it, but I'm still not convinced it's worth the extra money)

Any input is highly appreciated. Thanks,
Alfredo

 

[rmediver2002]

Man the MK-2 is one of the most reliable and durable units out there. Your getting a good unit at a good price.

The only thing you really give up is the swivel LP side common on the more expensive units but this is not a big deal...

I use them for SCUBA and FFM operations and have yet to experience a problem...

The R-190 is a great breathing unit, the 380 is a smaller box and another strong performer... Your getting a good performer either way and your octo will most likely be a 190 anyway right?

It is really up to you but you did a good job on researching the units out there...

This system anyway you set it up is more than adequate for dives to 100 fsw

Jeff Lane

 

[agc1976]

Thanks for the reply Jeff. Yes, I plan to use a 190 as an octopus.

Pardon my ignorance but what about Nitrox? Is there anything special I should look for in a regulator for diving nitrox, or will anyone do the job?

 

[rmediver2002]

Anyone will do the job, these units are also used with 100% O2 for decompression gas.

The biggest thing when dealing with high pp O2 is protection from contamination after cleaning... Any good service tech is going to do a more than adequate cleaning during your annual service. Your responsibility is to protect the equipment from contamination the rest of the year...
Common sense stuff here, hydrocarbons (oil and grease), chemical contamination, etc.

Your going to be all set for a few quite a while unless you catch some kind of technical bug (it happens pretty often...) in which case this is still going to be a tried and true system you will use for an auxillary rig...

Jeff

 

[Soggy]

agc1976 once bubbled...
Thanks for the reply Jeff. Yes, I plan to use a 190 as an octopus.

Pardon my ignorance but what about Nitrox? Is there anything special I should look for in a regulator for diving nitrox, or will anyone do the job?

Pretty much any regulator is good for FO2s (fraction of oxygen) up to 40%. It is still a good idea, if using Nitrox, to get your regulator O2 serviced, which usually involves changing the lubricants and putting viton o-rings in.

I used a R190/MK2 for the first year of my diving. I just recently upgraded to a Mk25/S600, but I had that MK2 in 34 degree water and was diving when other people's regs were freezing up around me.

 

[DeputyDan]

the 380 from the 190 is size of the reg.

My daughters are physically small and much perfer the smaller unit the 380 gives rather than the larger 190.

We were certified with 190's. We have rented Oceanic, genesis and zeagle - to see what we liked. - we didn't for various reasons.

We purchased the 380's.

 

[Soggy]

I forgot to mention that I still use the R190 as my bungeed backup.

 

[Genesis]

The R190 and R380 are IDENTICALLY in terms of their actual air-delivery system, and the rebuild kit is the SAME for both.

The difference is the diaphram SHAPE (not actual area), and the case diameter and depth. The R190 is physically larger in circumference than the R380. The additional cost of the R380 is simply paying for the smaller size - nothing more.

Both are good regs. I have an R380 that I use as my bungied backup and an R190 that is on my pony bottle.

The Mk2 is an unbalanced piston design that should be fine down to 100' or so. It will get a bit harder to breathe the deeper you go due to the lack of balance capability (the IP in reference to ambient pressure will fall), but to 100' or so you should be fine with it.

You could alleviate some of this by going to a balanced poppet design second stage (e.g. S600 or 550, or if you find an older G200B) whcih decreases the effect of IP changes on breathing resistance.

G200Bs are frequently found on eBAY; I've picked up two Mk10/G200B/R190/gauge pack combos in the last year for under $200 each. They're screaming deals, even factoring in the cost of an overhaul kit (which all needed) for each stage.