regulators...

[DA Aquamaster]

Well, there are a copule of things Boogie711 said that I'll take a different stance on... Tusa is actually great stuff for the money - very good breathing reg at good price and lifetime parts warranty. In fact the new Tusa reg is nothing more than a ScubaPro Mk16 R380 with the Tusa name on it - but as far as ease of breathing, I'd actually go with the other Tusas over that.

It's hearesy to say it and the ignorant and incorrectly informed will no doubt disagree with the statement, but Tabata has produced SP's designs for years (as in since at least the Mk 5) and once the exclusive rights expire Tabata markets them through TUSA (Tabata USA) with minor cosmetic differences.

Given that SP is discontinuing the Mk 16 in the very near future, Tusa will shortly be the only brand selling that particular reg.

And trevinkorea, I hope you haven't kept your MK20... If NOAA does not want to dive them... don't think I do either!

The cracks and failures found in NOAA Mk 20's were due to over torquing of the yoke retainer (per an independent third party analysis). But none the less SP is replacing the yoke retainers on Mk 20's (free of charge) with a new design that will prevent the problem even if they are excessively torqued in the future.

Frankly, the Mk 20 is virtually identical to the Mk 25 that NOAA still uses. And unless all the folks at NOAA are as ignorant as their tech(s) they know the similarity between the Mk 20 and Mk 25 as well, but oddly have no reservations about using the Mk 25. So if you own a Mk 20 you need not have any qualms about using it, just take it in for the update.

But Larry, if you still think the Mk 20 is worthless or unsafe, I'll gladly pay you postage to send any you come across to me.