Question Regulator recomendation

[Geo7]

Any Mares deals?

I agree with the caution on AL stuff. But you have all the ScubaPro fanbois on here. There are other decent manufacturers.

Mares makes great regs, for sure their top models are are good. Funny enough, the Abyss is the only other reg to pass the US Navy cold water test. I did not mention the brand because I replied directly to the OP question. But as amazing as the Abyss Navy is for cold water, the Xstream is in a league of it's own (not that it matters to most of us).

My recommendation is usually mid-level models of major manufacturers (Mares, Apeks, Scubapro, Atomic, Zeagle...). Can't go wrong. I wish I could recommend the new small brands and give them a chance, but I did not try them, and we tend to favor the tried and proven, and especially brands like Scubapro, Mares and Poseidon that support old models with parts.

I have Atomics only now, but only because I use a lot of restraint to not buy the others. We live in a time with great options.

 

[rsingler]

Is an upgrade from C370 + R095 to S600 + R105 worth 115 euros? Is the upgrade to G260 and mk19 evo worth 20 euros? What are the advantages the differences between the G260, the S600, and the C370? Sadly, I can not upgrade the octos as they are part of the pack.

I'd address your list this way.
Yes, as you asked, the Helix Pro is a good deal. But the savings over Mares are not huge, and their future is uncertain.
I think the C370 is a better second stage than an S600. The S620Ti is much better than the S600 , but that's not in contention here.
In terms of value vs performance, the Mares 62X wins handily. You have nearly identical second stages for your backup and performance is super.
But the Mk17EVO/C370 is maybe even a slightly better performer than the Mares Dual, tho' for cold water, I think Mares wins. As your budget permits, you can add the TBP seal/cold water protection to the 62X later. It's only ~US$100.
But since the Mk17 is already sealed you've probably saved money in the long run.

I'd make the decision solely on your expected cold water exposure. If there's a small risk of regulator freezup in your future, I'd take Mares.

If superb controllability of breathing performance is your major desire, I'd take the C370.

 

[Jake 10]

So, I just learned from my lsd, that you need two separate first stages when diving in switzerland, so this adds budget restraints and reduces the number of choices down to whatever first stage the french store sells on it's own. My lds said that they dont have any problems getting service parts for al, sp, and mares.

The final possible choices from cheapest to most expensive are:

View attachment 878445

Is an upgrade from C370 + R095 to S600 + R105 worth 115 euros? Is the upgrade to G260 and mk19 evo worth 20 euros? What are the advantages the differences between the G260, the S600, and the C370? Sadly, I can not upgrade the octos as they are part of the pack.

And ignoring the possibility for an AL downfall, isn't the Helix Pro offer incredible value? How does the Mares compare? Would the 55 euro premium be worth it? I guess the Legend Elite would be the lest value per money spent.

We (2-sons, and I) have both, the MK17EVO C370 and the MK17EVO S600, they both breath nice and are sealed for cold diving. I recommend them both. I personally use the MK17EVO with a S620Ti combination and the R195 Octo, but this is not on your list above.

 

[lowwall]

View attachment 878445

Is an upgrade from C370 + R095 to S600 + R105 worth 115 euros? Is the upgrade to G260 and mk19 evo worth 20 euros? What are the advantages the differences between the G260, the S600, and the C370? Sadly, I can not upgrade the octos as they are part of the pack.

And ignoring the possibility for an AL downfall, isn't the Helix Pro offer incredible value? How does the Mares compare? Would the 55 euro premium be worth it? I guess the Legend Elite would be the lest value per money spent.

From that list, I would highly recommend the Mares. The performance from all those first stages is similar (and excellent). But Mares is the only one that also includes a full performance octo.

The 62X is also lighter and more compact than the other first stages. Not a big deal, but nice for travel.

Edit: Mares first stages are very freeze resistant even without their cold water kits. Certainly no issues down to their CE rating of 5 degrees C and many people use it below that. But for really cold water, their TBP cold water kit (environmental seal kit) is inexpensive and extremely effective.

 

[Geo7]

Personally, the Mk11 Evo would be my choice for the intended use in cold-ish freshwater lakes combined with travel to nice oceans. It's so tiny and light, and I know in my use it would not freeze. Yeah, going deep and owing lots of deco, gie me a MK17 Evo (or Poseidon).

For a second stage I want a reg with a metal valve tube, as it should resist freezing more than the plastic tubes in the S600 and C370. I lterally grew up diving all year in cold freshwater lakes, and the plastic tube regs freeflowed so much, that during the 1990s the entire Scubapro brand was ditched by most local divers, usually in favour of Apeks (it helped that Apeks was the cheapest reg at the time).

S620ti: love that reg, but don't own it anymore. The brass in the G260 conducts temperature better than titanium, but with careful use, I was fine with titanium Atomics in 37°F / 3°C. Again, for demanding dives --> G260, M1, Apeks, Mares and things like that with some metal.

 

[BoltSnap]

plastic tubes in the S600

"Plastic tube" in S600? Since when? That may have been the case WAY back, but that was changed, and the plastic tube was replaced with metal long ago.

 

[whitefang21]

what about the hog d1x . it breathes just as well as an apex.

 

[lowwall]

what about the hog d1x . it breathes just as well as an apex.

OP is Swiss and looking for something with local service and support.

 

[iliketopetsharks]

Autonomous just means that you are certified to dive without an instructor. You still need a buddy. And yes it is government regulation.

Eeeh, no. Someone's been telling you lies. There are exactly zero legal regulations regarding scuba equipment. Actually, a lot of recreational divers use a single 1st stage during summer, it is even taught this way.

 

[Geo7]

"Plastic tube" in S600? Since when? That may have been the case WAY back, but that was changed, and the plastic tube was replaced with metal long ago.

Oh yeah, you are right! I must have been cheap and bought the older ones... I even ugraded two G500s with metal tubes that also fit the S600 (as seen in the classifieds on Scubaboard). Hectic time here at the moment and it slipped my mind.

If the C370 had a metal tube, I'd seriously consider that one as an alrounder. But who am I kidding, ya'll know that I am in love with titanium...