Reg Setup + MK25/MK17

[ColinCB]

I'm really interested in switching to a different regulator hose setup. I currently own an MK25/S600 and I was interested in the long primary, neck positioned backup, and using the primary as the "share air" reg. Is it normal for rec diving to have this setup? Or is is merely just preference between this setup or the typical keep your primary, share the other reg for the OOA diver.


Also, I have been reading around about the MK25 in cold water and issues with free-flow. I dive in the NE of the USA, so all of my diving is cold. Temperatures on my dives have been anywhere from 39F to 55F or so. I've been reading that the MK17 is a much better choice due to its dry/environmental seal and diaphragm style 1st stage vs the piston. Is there any reason to make the switch from the 25 to the 17? As of this time I have no experienced any type of free flow. I dive it with the S600 second.

Edit:

Another thing to note is that I plan to switch to DIN300 and as far as I can tell, the MK17 is not capable of doing so?

 

[Kevin R]

The Mk17 is available in either DIN or Yoke. Above 40 deg F you will have few problems with either 1st stage. The Mk17 is better suited for true cold water diving. The S600 is not considered a cold water reg however and given that most freeflows are initiated by the 2nd stage, if you are really concerned about cold water diving (below 40 deg f) I would look at the G250V as a second stage choice from SP.

 

[a22shady]

I dive in NJ Cold waters also. I use the MK17/G250V and it's a great reg. I also use the Long/Short configuration. Both myself and Girlfriend. Nothing wrong with useing this setup I find it nicer especially in the event you need to donate air it gives some space to swim between the two of you. And we have both in Din. I would choose the MK17 over the MK25 if you plan on iving late or early in season. If your set on a Piston reg. Look at atomic M1 as they have a sealed type 1st satge also. Either way you go both are great regs and great breathing

 

[Wayne at DiveSeekers]

I second what Kevin R said. Above 40 degrees, issues are primarily user error with not handling the second stage properly at the surface. I recommend diving the second stages all the way back where they are hardest to breathe and then adjusting them to where you like them once in use underwater. Long hose short hose is definitely the way to o, very intuitive for air shares. If I wasn't diving my M1's then I would use MK17/G250 set up, so that is what I vote for.

 

[halocline]

Using a long hose/bungied alternate set up for OW is becoming more popular. I use a 5 ft hose in OW and I really like it. It routs just like the 7 ft hogarthian hose, except for going under a canister light. One nice thing about the MK25 for this routing is the LP port on the end of the turret. You can mount the reg with the turret pointing down and slightly to the right; this puts both the 5 ft hose and the 24" HP hose at a good angle. It's a detail, but if you're not having problems, why switch. As pointed out above, the S600 does not have the cold water reputation that either the G250V, original G250, (pre-"HP") balanced adjustable, or new A700 have, so you could experiment with the 2nd stage. If it were me I'd go right for the balanced/adjustable (or 109 converted), it's bound to have the best heat transfer of all of them and it's undoubtedly the least expensive. I met a diver recently who was diving one that he bought new in 1971; it still looked close to perfect.