Question on differences between Scubapro c200/c300. Cost vs. benefit

[TT_Vert]

I've pretty much narrowed my choice to an MK11 due to ease and cost of maintenance at my LDS. I am only doing warm water diving but I was told by the LDS that I can upgrade the first stage to use in cold water if need be w/ the MK11 secondstage I'd get. It appears there are a few models of second stage (c200, c300 and I think an R555). I understand the c300 has the ability to adjust inhilation effort but my question is is this something a rec diver really needs? If I recall I can get the c300 for 475 and the c200 for about $100 less. If I don't need this adjustment, then there are the R295 and R395 to further complicate things right?

Thanks in advance,

Dave

 

[redacted]

Ease and cost of maintenance is rarely a good reason for choosing one model of a regulator over another. The differences are small at best (and the Mk11 is neither the cheapest nor the easiest even within the Scubapro line). For $475 you could get a complete high performance setup including an quality octo and gauges. This is just an example: HOG D1 Regulator discounts on sale HOG. With a bit of shopping around, you may well do better.

 

[TT_Vert]

I must admit being able to drive to the LDS to get it serviced at a reasonable price is a selling point to me. I know there are cheaper scubapro regulators which is why I asked if the R series may be for me. I just don't what (if any) bells and whistles I need as a rec. diving just diving in the carribean about 30-40 dives a year. This is probably a one time purchase and I want something that will be reliable and easily serviced annually w/o having to ship it out. Do most manufacturers off a lifetime warranty and free annual service (minus labor?)

Dave

 

[redacted]

Limited Lifetime warranties on regulators is fairly common. Most are conditional on meeting the manufacturers recommended periodic service requirements. Free service (soft) parts is not as common and Scubapro is mostly eliminating that enticement (ruse). I dive all Scubapro regulators (most 20 to 35 years old) and would not buy a new Scubapro regulator at MSRP - they are overpriced and not worth it. I firmly believe that the only way to prevent a regulator problem from detracting from a dive trip (or day of diving) is to take a backup rig to the dive site with you.

If you are set on Scubapro and don't want to damage the bank any more than necessary, I suggest a Mk2 1st stage. Performance is entirely adequate for recreational diving and there is no 1st stage that is more reliable. I favor adjustable 2nds but in your case where $$ matters, I'd be looking for a pair of R190. They are bigger than most new Rxxx but the only thing you will notice in the water is they perform a little better.

A new regulator should give you no problems for at least 2 or 3 years. Next year, I would start shopping for a backup. You can decide then if you need a higher level of performance.

 

[TT_Vert]

Thanks, I started looking at the hog D1s after you mentioned that and there is a place about 30 miles away that sells them. They seem nice also but I'm so uneducated on these I couldn't really make an educated decision. My LDS said they'd service them for free for life and that'd save me about 20 bucks per stage in parts, so $40 a year in savings there. Does HOG offer free lifetime service parts? I've read their warranty but I'm having an issue trying to interpret this.

Regulators have a Original Owner Limited Lifetime (with proof of purchase) and All Owners 7 year limited warranty (from original owner purchase or manuf. date when available) all non serviceable components except for hoses and mouthpieces. Hoses enjoy a 3 year limited warranty and mouthpieces enjoy a warranty up to the point you bite thru them.

I saw this which looks like exactly what I'd need. But if I had to pay $50 per stage for service every year to buy a reg set it makes no sense to buy that regulator unless the maintenance isn't a small fortune.

Dave

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

If I was to do it all over again I would buy a MK2/R190 and be happy.
Instead I bought a MK20/G200B based on the salesman's recommendation, he actually was pushing the G250 but it was over my threshhold at the time.
Not that the MK20/G200B was a bad combo, it was just more than I needed to spend and a little overkill for what I do.
I bought a MK2/R190 later and realized it would have been perfectly adequate for my needs from the start.

Beware of crafty salespeople they are sneaky and like to over sell you on stuff you don't need.

If the Hog stuff and the internet was around when I got into diving things would be different.

Like Awap said, I will never buy another new reg from SP, not worth it.

 

[redacted]

Thanks, I started looking at the hog D1s after you mentioned that and there is a place about 30 miles away that sells them. They seem nice also but I'm so uneducated on these I couldn't really make an educated decision. My LDS said they'd service them for free for life and that'd save me about 20 bucks per stage in parts, so $40 a year in savings there. Does HOG offer free lifetime service parts? I've read their warranty but I'm having an issue trying to interpret this.

I saw this which looks like exactly what I'd need. But if I had to pay $50 per stage for service every year to buy a reg set it makes no sense to buy that regulator unless the maintenance isn't a small fortune.

Dave

First, I don't believe Edge/HOG offers free service kits. But if you ask the question in the Edge/HOG forum (or check and see if it has already been answered) I'm sure one of their reps will answer quickly.

You need to look at the real cost of those free service kits. Some regulator manufacturers only require (and maybe provide) the application of a service kit (seats, o-rings, filters, etc) every other year. There regs are little different than Scubapro regs which still "require" annual service. many of those soft pieces and filters are identical. Unless you fail to take good care of your regulator, it will go 2, 3, or more years before it really needs that service. Since the labor costs more than the service kit, you will be spending more for those free parts by paying for unnecessary labor than you would if you serviced your reg every other year (or less often) and paid for both parts and service.

 

[TT_Vert]

Thanks for the info. I'm trying to find out the cost of labor/parts on different regs. The LDS said the prices vary from $40-$80 (parts and labor) per stage. The way I think about it is that at a minimum of $80 for both stages per year to service if the reg doesn't offer free annual service parts the SP regulator would pay for itself after a few services. Now I guess it depends if I want to roll the dice and service it every other year or so. If I do then I suppose after a couple of years I'd break even. I really want to buy something once and be able to use it worry free for years to come. I will pay glady pay for the piece of mind.

Dave

 

[knowone]

FIFTY BUCKS!!!!!!! plusP&H

use a seat saver, don't need service

Brand new nineteen hundred and sixty six or something
Rubber mint, hoses a bit bent, so what dangle a brick
off the end of your bed

Better looking than a fine woman
even as cold as some
NO DRY MOUTHS HERE


What's your address ZKY?

Heh heh heh

L@@K

http://www.airspeedpress.com/regread.html

 

[Moonglow]

The MK11 is a great first stage and will do you well now and in the future when you take your diving to the next levels. It's a proven model, and you can purchase it packaged with the C300-- which I use for my instructor rig with the C200 for the octo.