Pics of Apeks and/or Scubapro hose routing request.

[Hoosier]

Assuming one can wrangle a "dive professional" discount, a MK17/G250HP should be around US$ 315.00

Why don't you consider MK11, not MK17?

You are a warm water diver, so I don't think you must have a cold water rig that much....

 

[Vie]

Well I finally had the chance to try some of the regs mentioned previously...

I did most of my diving with MK20s/S600/R390 - AL80s with Dive Rite manifold and Halcyon Explorer 40; everything apart from the second stages, SPG and hoses were borrowed. The MK20s were great - no problems; the hose routing was a little tight on the top part of the wing. I ended up having to use my Apeks FSR as a deco reg!

I also had the chance to play around with (but not dive) a pair of MK17s - did not like the hose routing at all... The LP hoses routed straight down and the HP hose came out at a weird angle. Sorry, did not have a camera, so no pics.

The people I was diving with were using Apeks FSTs and FSRs with assorted Apeks second stages (TX50/100s, ATX200s etc.) - the hose routing is very nice on the Apeks, especially on a wing like the Evolve where the long hose needs to be in front of the wing...

Anyway, I sold my one FSR and bought a pair of Apeks FSTs that the LDS sold to me at a good price...

 

[Hoosier]

Well I finally had the chance to try some of the regs mentioned previously...

I did most of my diving with MK20s/S600/R390 - AL80s with Dive Rite manifold and Halcyon Explorer 40; everything apart from the second stages, SPG and hoses were borrowed. The MK20s were great - no problems; the hose routing was a little tight on the top part of the wing. I ended up having to use my Apeks FSR as a deco reg!

I also had the chance to play around with (but not dive) a pair of MK17s - did not like the hose routing at all... The LP hoses routed straight down and the HP hose came out at a weird angle. Sorry, did not have a camera, so no pics.

The people I was diving with were using Apeks FSTs and FSRs with assorted Apeks second stages (TX50/100s, ATX200s etc.) - the hose routing is very nice on the Apeks, especially on a wing like the Evolve where the long hose needs to be in front of the wing...

Anyway, I sold my one FSR and bought a pair of Apeks FSTs that the LDS sold to me at a good price...

MK20 is almost identical to MK25... Yes, LP hose on the primary is a little bit tight angle. Hence, the stage isn't always isn't parallel. It is worse if you are using the hose protector on AL80s.

Man... How could you forget the camera?

Are you getting the new XTX series or ATX series?

 

[Vie]

It is worse if you are using the hose protector on AL80s.

The Scubapro hose protectors are pretty over-designed - I used Oceanic hose protectors. I'll still be using my MK20/S600/R390 for single tank diving.

Man... How could you forget the camera?

Yeah, I know... I was taking a course and we were diving/in the classroom at least 12 hours a day - I just couldn't be bothered with a camera (and housing); unfortunately nobody (seven students in three classes) had one!

Are you getting the new XTX series or ATX series?

I will be using my ATXs (I sold the FSR first stage only, not the second stages) - I do have an old TX50 lying around, so I might use that as my primary and put one of the ATXs on my deco reg (I still have not made up my mind as to what first stage to get for the deco setup - DS4 or DST, probably...).

 

[Hoosier]

I will be using my ATXs (I sold the FSR first stage only, not the second stages) - I do have an old TX50 lying around, so I might use that as my primary and put one of the ATXs on my deco reg (I still have not made up my mind as to what first stage to get for the deco setup - DS4 or DST, probably...).

It sounds like you aren't a true DIR by considering DST... I prefer DST because it is swivel turnet and is much easier to handle 1st stage as a deco bottle....



BTW, how many DIR divers is there in Kingdom Thiland?

 

[rescuediver009]

How ironic that the scubapro MK20/25 is DIR and the DST is not. What does one have that the other does not?

 

[Hoosier]

:d

 

[Vie]

It sounds like you aren't a true DIR by considering DST... I prefer DST because it is swivel turnet and is much easier to handle 1st stage as a deco bottle....

I never claimed to be DIR...

Unfortunately, because of my inexperience and/or lack of "DIR" trained teammates, it is impossible for me to dive "DIR" all the time.

Btw, I am not aware that the DST is not "DIR" - using DSTs for backgas confers no hose routing advantage over the DS4/FST/FSR (so should be avoided as the turret is an "additional failure point") but I see no reason not to use a DST for deco where having a swivel turret does offer some ease of use...

BTW, how many DIR divers are there in the Kingdom of Thailand?

Very, very few... There are a few recent Fundies "graduates," one guy who recently completed Tech 1, and there is a former GUE instructor exploring caves in the southern part of the country (this gentleman dives with a few DIR divers based in Australia and other locations).

 

[Jason Ooi]

Hi,
I prefer MK17 for dual back gas, the port just perfectly for the long hose routing and pressure gauge.

Jason

 

[Vie]

I prefer MK17 for dual back gas, the port just perfectly for the long hose routing and pressure gauge.

Ok... How about some pics?