Regs for a Pony

[Gamehunter]

I am setting up a pony bottle and I am wondering if I should use one of my old regs or just purchase a new one. My old regs consist of a Aqualung Conshelf xiv, A Sherwood Magnum, and a Scubapro mark 10 with balanced second stage. The other that I am looking at is the v16 proton xl from Scubatoys. Any thoughts on preasure gaugees for this unit?If anyone has some opinions I would appreciate you input. I am planning some deep dives in Lake Huron this summer.
Tim

 

[DA Aquamaster]

There nothing wrong with an SP Mk 10. If the "balanced" second stage is something like a plastic cased G200B it's great. If it is the older metal cased Balanced Adjustable it's even better as the adjustment knob can be turned in a couple turns to reduce the potential of losing any gas.

 

[Gamehunter]

I was mistaken with the mark 10 it is I believe the old mark 7 with the vibating low air. It is though the metal balanced 2nd stage, These were from when I first started diving in 1983

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Then I'd go with the Conshelf 14. It's a solid reg and you can still get it easily serviced. The purge cover is also well suited to pony use as it is hard unintentionally depress it.

 

[SmileMon]

Ask yourself these questions before getting a new one:

Do you trust your old regs?
Can you try a dive with them and see if they freeflow underwater?
Try to get as much dives with them to see if they do/don't before having a situation that might need them fully functional.
Try to breath underwater with them, see if they are operating as needed without a problem, if they weren't serviced in a long time, get them serviced.

Or you can save yourself the headache and get a new one, but I would still recommend you'll try it before making it your permanent alternate air source.

I have scubapro R190, it doesn't freeflow and its very easy breathing off it, so I'm happy with it.

I've read a thread here about people that pressurise their pony and keep the valve closed so there won't be even a slight chance of emptying their pony by an accidental freeflow, so I would recommend reading about it before making a decision.

Personally in an OOA situation, I'm not sure I'll be calm enough to open the valve before a total panic so I keep it open, but I guess I will re-evaluate when I get more comfortable underwater.

 

[Gamehunter]

I guess the answer to the trusting issue is not an easy one. I have continued to change regulators and am now using Mares Ice, B4 that it was my Sherwood blizzrd, before that it was these 3. I just don't know how the new technoligy is compared to yesterdays equipment as far as dependability and servicability. There were never any problems with my regs it was always just trying to find the right one. Which at this point I am very happy with my Ice. I am even setting up my daughter with my set of SP mk25/600 since I don't see myself using them. The reason I have not just gone out and bought new is because of outfitting her it has cost me a few $. So I quess I will venture to the LDS and see if he services the Conshelf and go from there.

 

[Gamehunter]

Well I decided todat that I would purchase a new reg Mares v16 xl from Scubatoys, love these guys, I also have the checking into the new x5-40 from Worthington for me. Should make a great pony system. I am still checking on the mounts but am leaning towards the Pony Tamers. Thanks for your help
Tim

 

[Chad Carney]

Geez, with that old Mark VII you would need a lift bag on that side to keep your trim!

Some good considerations as you begin making deeper dives would be to keep your first stages alike... all DIN preferably. It's also likely you will be getting your stage bottle regs O2 cleaned, so it rarely make sense to put a lot of $ into an the old relic.
It would also be wise to look into additional training.

Good diving.

Chad

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Well I decided todat that I would purchase a new reg Mares v16 xl from Scubatoys, love these guys, I also have the checking into the new x5-40 from Worthington for me. Should make a great pony system. I am still checking on the mounts but am leaning towards the Pony Tamers. Thanks for your help
Tim

Hmm...Interesting choice. That reg will give you about the same level of performance as your Conshelf XIV. The only difference is that you will probably be able to get the Conshelf XIV serviced long after Mares stops making parts for their V16 Proton XL. Aqualung has a history of excellent parts support for decades after a reg is discontinued (and the Conshelf XIV is still in producton) while Mares has a history for discontinuing support for out of production regs in a comparatively short period of time.

 

[Gamehunter]

The decission was not an easy one but as Chad had said, the option to use din is a plus for deep diving. I also like the idea that it comes with the parts for life warrenty.I have already been taking my classes and am currently taking my rescue course and then it will be my Divemaster course. Surgery has set me back a few weeks but then I will finish the rescue course. Classroom is done just need the pool and open water. I have talked to my instructor and he has advised against deep diving and wreck diving since I will not benifit much from the classes. He recomends that I stay on course to Divemaster.