Rescue going upto IDC staff and planning on instructor work - Scuba pro regulator set

[saltynay]

Hey,

I am thinking of getting a Mk25 with a S555 or S600 I have been trawling the net for reviews but want a bit extra personal feedback from people if possible? Does the A700 offer any real world benefits as well?

 

[Bronson]

I have two reg setups, the MK25/600 in both standard and titanium. Bought both with past 4 months. They are outstanding. I got the Titanium set up in USA (Blue Horizons - Scuba Diving Lessons, Scuba Diving Travel and Vacations and Sale of Scuba diving Equipment, PADI, IDC, CDC) and the standard set up in Singapore (Home - DiveShop@sg :: Authorised Master Dealer and Service Center for Scubapro and UWATEC ::). Both offered same prices. The Titanium is substantially most costly than the standard set up. I have dived alot with these. Great set up. Good airflow and dependable. I never considered teh 700 cause it looked too flashy.

 

[Couv]

DA Aquamaster is the resident guru on SP regulators, here is a thread with a few of his post that should answer most of your questions.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/184862-scubapro-please-help-choose.html

 

[halocline]

If you will be teaching OW classes, especially working in a pool, I'd get a cheap reg like the MK2/R190 that you won't mind using in chlorinated water. That might be in addition to your MK25, but remember that teaching is hardly what you would call demanding on a reg; very shallow dives, almost always warm water. I think most instructors are encouraged to use expensive gear because they're considered to be living billboards by the gear companies/dealers.

I haven't heard much about the A700, but rather than the S600 I would get a G250V. That would be personal preference, there's nothing wrong with the S600. If I were spending money getting an expensive new reg (a nightmare scenario to me) I'd probably go for the A700 just out of curiosity. The old balanced adjustable, which it's sort-of based on, is one of the all time classic great 2nd stages.

 

[Couv]

Matt's keen eye puts a new slant on things.....If you'll be teaching, before you buy anything expensive, get a job in a shop-they'll want you to use what they're selling and most probably will let you use their rental/class equipment for the pool. If you have a regulator now, use that for your course and sort out your personal regulator after you secure a position in a dive shop where you can hopefully get a discount.

c

 

[Fishpie]

For pool work I always recommend a diaphragm 1st stage since all the internals are sealed from water contact. I have found o rings to get "crumbly" from allot of pool exposure.
The Mk 17 1st stage is the Scubapro to go for if you want to use just one reg.
Like Mattboy suggested , pair this with 2 G250's.

 

[saltynay]

Thank you for the feedback I am currently an intern at a dive shop so can get a fair discount on anything I buy. They have offered some equipment as part of the package MK2/R190 but they will subtract the cost of that off if I purchase a different system. So to accept the equipment offered is not necessarily in my best interests as yes I will have a cheap reliable system which I could use for pool work but I will ultimately upgrade at some point, why wait and waste money when I can start at the top now.

I am thinking of going for a MK25 or MK19 with A700 and a R395 octopus. I am simply unsure on the age old debate it would seem on piston or diaphragm. I have also been looking at Atomic for a first stage any issues with mix and matching SP and Atomic?

 

[james croft]

Lot of wisdom in the old adage "Buy right the first time so you only have to buy it once".

 

[Bronson]

I use a MK25/600 for the pool. Maybe i should think about the suggestion for a cheaper one for pool work. BUt i have this one now plus my leisure diving set up is the MK25/600T. But then again not sure that i need another reg. Thanks for thought.

 

[Fishpie]

From someone who has been teaching full time for 20 years....use a diaphragm reg in the pool.
If you want just one Scubapro reg get the Mk 17 G250.
I have a pool rig and ocean rig. A used Conshelf, SEA or MR12 makes a great, cheap, pool beater.