Newbie's setup: compatibility of stages; double scale gauges

[dfad]

A newbie is here, with newbie's questions.

I want to build my first setup for recreational purposes (no ice, recreational depths), a budget but upgradable one. I have some ideas about components but it's a bit hard to find some details on them, and first of all, IP values - meaning compatibility of different brands. And here are some ideas and questions:

1. As the 1st stage, I plan to use ScubaPro either Mk10 or Mk18. Why? Two HP ports - should I add a transmitter in the future; LP ports on a swivel; and excellent maintainability judging by what people wrote at this forum. So, within these two models, any major difference?

2. For 2nd stages - whatever is compatible by IP with the 1st stage, from known brands, with good reviews and adjustable air flow. Here is where I struggle to find IP used by different brands. Which of them I should NOT connect to ScubaPro 1st stage, and which would work just fine?

3. Does it make sense to use analog depth gauge in 2024? Like having a DC watch but also an analog gauge in the console as backup? If yes, I want a metric depth gauge, because I'm a metric person, and though it's not a big issue to multiply or divide by 0.3 (ok, 0.305) on the fly, but it would be great to have a dual scale just for easier communication with other people... So are there any double scale gauges, like a typical car speedometer is?

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

 

[tursiops]

3. Your mechanical depth gauge is not really redundancy; it provide no real value if your computer fails unless you also have a timing devide AND you are diving tables. If you want redundancy, get another computer.

2. Almost everything, except Poseidon, will be IP-compatible with your first stages. You will want to ahve them serviced/adjusted together, so if you ae going to ahve a local shop do that, make sure they can handle all the diffrent brands you are thinking of. Why not just get ScubaPro everything, if you like SP so much?

 

[dfad]

Why not just get ScubaPro everything, if you like SP so much?

First, thanks a lot for correcting me, I missed that factor of no redundancy in the question #3.

I can't say I like SP over other brands - that's just I checked what people sell at Facebook Marketplace and eBay, and it seems that there is not a big choice of budget models with 2 HP ports. I can switch to another brand of course if I choose to give up a possibility to connect a transmitter in the future. This is more 'nice to have' than 'must have' feature in my use case.

As for LDS, I'm lucky to have a few of them nearby. Some accept "all of the top manufacturers", some are specialized on 1-3 popular brands but accept others too, that gives me some flexibility. That in turn means more doubts and flouncing while picking the components.

 

[Bigbella]

3. Does it make sense to use analog depth gauge in 2024? Like having a DC watch but also an analog gauge in the console as backup? If yes, I want a metric depth gauge, because I'm a metric person, and though it's not a big issue to multiply or divide by 0.3 (ok, 0.305) on the fly, but it would be great to have a dual scale just for easier communication with other people... So are there any double scale gauges, like a typical car speedometer is?

Yes, it makes perfect sense, especially with an increasing dependence upon electronics, which I have seen crap out at a far greater rate than any analogue equipment, over the years.

I have a number of electronic devices, but always have an SPG on hand — even one with both metric and imperial measurements . . .