Question Regulator recomendation

[Khell]

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.

Thanks for the indepth reply!

Can I add the TBP easily myself or do I need special equipment?

Sadly the S620Ti would start at 1k for a full kit with two first stages.

Adding the TBP to both first stages would make it more expensive than the Mk17/C370, but if i should add a second C370 as secondary (which i can do in a couple of years), then it will be in legend elite territory price wise

 

[lexvil]

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...

How about a no tube like a D420 or a TFX?

 

[rsingler]

Thanks for the indepth reply!

Can I add the TBP easily myself or do I need special equipment?

Sadly the S620Ti would start at 1k for a full kit with two first stages.

Adding the TBP to both first stages would make it more expensive than the Mk17/C370, but if i should add a second C370 as secondary (which i can do in a couple of years), then it will be in legend elite territory price wise

The TBP should be installed by a certified service technician. But it's not a full service. Just unscrew the top, remove the diaphragm and add the TBP assembly. Proper torque is important.

I don't share the need to have a matching second stage unless you're sidemount doubles. A backup reg set, with or without a second tank, can be tuned just as lightly as the C370. A properly tuned R095 breathes very nicely. It just doesn't stay in tune for a 2-year service interval. But retuning should be a 5‐minute low cost service by your dive shop.

I think twin Mk17EVO's/twin C370's is superior to the AL Elite.

 

[lowwall]

Thanks for the indepth reply!

Can I add the TBP easily myself or do I need special equipment?

Mares will tell you to have a shop do it. But honestly it's very straightforward. There's a video showing how it goes together.


If you speak German maybe you can fill us in on what they are talking about

This is the 28X, but everything except the first piece he puts in (the analogous piece is already in place in a 62X without TBP) is the same in the 62X.

The additional step that's not shown is you need to stop after the regulating nut is in place (the piece with the hex key hole in the center that he takes a couple of tries to screw in), put the reg with an attached 2nd stage and IP gauge on a tank and measure and adjust the IP to spec (9.8-10.2 bar). You adjust the IP by screwing the regulating nut in or out.

If none of this makes sense have the shop do it or get ready for some self-education.

But just how cold is the water you are planning on diving? 5 degrees C is pretty cold. If you are getting in water much under that, you'll have invested so much in drysuits, heated undergarments and dry gloves that the approx €300 to buy a pair of TBP kits and get them installed is pretty trivial.

Frankly if extreme cold water is your goal, then start with the Poseidon Xstream or the Mares 82X or the MK17Evo.