Oceanic Delta series vs ScubaPro MK20 S600 vs Zeagle flathead VI vs Mares Abyss?

[DivingDoc]

Hmmm -- don't want to get Matt and Bob in a diving dual over regs (OK, maybe I do), but I am looking to buy my first (and probably last) reg. I only dive 1-2 times per year and am middle aged, so I doubt if I will go through more than one reg.

Since the reg I buy wil be with me the rest of my life, I want to choose the best breathing, most stable, most reliable and trouble free reg that I can.

So what are your opinions? Oceanic Delta series vs. Mares Abyss vs ScubaPro MK20 S600 vs Zeagle flathead VI? These are the ones that have been recommended by the various LDS's that I have visited. Each shop swears by their choice and dis's the others.

I'm confused about one thing. Other posts on this section have said that the Apeks is cheaper. The only Apeks reg I have seen so far was $675.00, which would make it more expensive than the ScubaPro MK 20 S600, which is said to be expensive.

Another thing I am confused about: which first stage is better -- balanced diaphragm or blanced piston? What I have heard is that the piston tends to breathe better when new, but since water must get into it in order for it to be balanced, it can get clogged and corroded, especially if you don't wash it out very carefully after each dive. The diagphragm, on the other hand (I have heard) is environmentally sealed, so does not require as much special washing out after a dive and is much less likely to corrode. On the other hand, a diaphragm first stage is more complicated than a piston, and therefore has more parts that could malfunction. What do y'all think?

 

[GP]

Wow...that is a tough decision to make. All three will work well for you. I'm assuming since you are only diving a couple times a year that it'll be in nice clear warm water?

 

[Lost Yooper]

Te debate over over piston vs. diaphram has been going on forever and will undoubtedly continue. Both will serve you pretty well. I prefer the sealed Apeks first stages. If you're looking at buying high retail, then maybe the SP is cheaper, I don't know.

Of those you listed, I would recommend the Flathead. DiveINN sell the ATX100 for like $370 and the SP for $400. Both are quality regs, but I like my Apeks regs.

Take care.

Mike

 

[buff]

Those are all good regs. and if you're just recreational diving in warm water a few times a year then I would go with one of my favorite criterea for regs.....price!

Buy a Mares from Diveinn.com and you will save small fortune. ScubaPro is good, too, but they are so expensive. Diveinn doesn't have Oceanic.

 

[Norm]

Doc, in my opnion, all three of these are fine, high-quality regs. They should all serve your purpose well. They are durable and all should last a long, long time. I beileve all three will have parts for their regs for many years.
Scubapro makes good regs and they seem to keep parts available for a few years after a model is discontinued.
I've dealt with Mares, in years gone by, and they were always nice folks that stood behind their products.
Zeagles are great and if you should EVER have a problem with a Zeagle reg - they have a problem as well. They actually encourage their customers to call them (Ever heard of that before?) Super-nice folks that are proud of their high-end regs.
Norm

 

[foothillsdiver]

Just another 2 cents worth !

I have owned and dove all the regs you mentioned and myself prefer a diaphragm reg, BUT I have access to whatever regs I need and can keep a new one every 2 years or so. However in 98 I was persuaded by my boss (lds owner) to get a Scuba Pro Mk20 G500. I liked it very much and decided to do an experiment with it and didn't rebuild it until last week. It has worked flawlessly for over 400 dives and has been in some pretty severe water ie: dirty ponds. Actually it was used as my working reg. When I finally disassembled it I was amazed how bad it was inside and still working. All the working, moving parts had a film of red mud on them. My hat is off to Scuba Pro for buliding a reg that can continue working under those conditions.

My choice Mk25 S600. The Mk20 has been replaced.
Kits are available to upgrade both the Mk 20 and the G500.

 

[DivingDoc]

Originally posted by foothillsdiver
Just another 2 cents worth !

I have owned and dove all the regs you mentioned and myself prefer a diaphragm reg, BUT I have access to whatever regs I need and can keep a new one every 2 years or so. However in 98 I was persuaded by my boss (lds owner) to get a Scuba Pro Mk20 G500. I liked it very much and decided to do an experiment with it and didn't rebuild it until last week. It has worked flawlessly for over 400 dives and has been in some pretty severe water ie: dirty ponds. Actually it was used as my working reg. When I finally disassembled it I was amazed how bad it was inside and still working. All the working, moving parts had a film of red mud on them. My hat is off to Scuba Pro for buliding a reg that can continue working under those conditions.

My choice Mk25 S600. The Mk20 has been replaced.
Kits are available to upgrade both the Mk 20 and the G500.

This is very helpful information. I'd like to know a few more things:

1) What kind of care did you give the reg -- i.e. did you wash it out after each dive?

2) When you finally rebuilt it, did the parts come clean with washing out or were they corroded and in need of replacement?

3) What percentage of your dives would you estimate were in dirty water?

4) Why do you still prefer a diaphragm reg and, since you do, why did you make the ScubaPro your "working reg"?

5) Over what period of time did you do your 400 dives?

6) Did you notice any decrease in breathing performance over the period of time that you used the reg before rebuilding it?

 

[padiscubapro]

Out of the choices presented I'd chose the Scubapro mk25 its an upgraded mk20.. DOn't get the UL crap stay with the brass 1st.. I would get the G250hp second instead.. I have used both and I prefer the g250hp second.. The difference bewteen the mk20 and mk25 is an externally adjustable IP.. The mk20 uses ships to change the IP where the MK25 has an allen screw that can be turned to adjust IP, My mk20 was converted to a MK25..

 

[vicky]

on the MK20--->MK25 upgrade?
How it is done? Any parts replaced? How much it costs?

BTW, what is crappy with the UL version?

 

[padiscubapro]

Originally posted by vicky
on the MK20--->MK25 upgrade?
How it is done? Any parts replaced? How much it costs?

BTW, what is crappy with the UL version?

Brass may be heavier but it is extremely durable and can easily be cleaned.. Also brass is one of the most Oxygen compatible metals around..
I don't know how much your scubapro dealer is going to charge you but the upgrade is basically replacing one of the brass endcaps and the plastic cap that goes on it.. I think the total for parts was something like $20 or so.. Have it converted when you get your yearly service.. The dealer in theory should only charge you for the part since no extra labor is required since he has to assemble/disassemble your reg for normal service..
In may even make the service easier since hew doesn't have to worry about shims..