Scuba Pro G250 graphite - what is compariable in other brands??

[powerofslack]

I don't disagree with the majority opinion here that overhauling the Scubapro reg you have is the best way to go. Thought I'd chime in for the benefit of lurkers who're getting an earful about price/performance of good regs- I have the XSSCUBA SEAAIR (Actually I have the IDI SEAIRA which is identical); I don't see people mention it much but it always comes out great in Karl's tests (and thus in the Scuba Diving reviews), and mine's a tank reliability-wise. It has a cave ring which is great for getting sand out of it in a pinch at the surface or even underwater with gloves on, and new price wise it's probably the best price / performance out there (as evidenced by winning a lot of best buys). All the online places will do maintenance on it for a good price if your local shop doesn't happen to work on them. I think for your question specifically overhauling the Scubapro is the way to go, but wanted to mention the XSSCUBA for people looking at a new solid reg since I never hear people mention it.

 

[Web Monkey]

Get the existing G250 overhauled. You can get new front covers, some in bright girly colors if it appears old. spend the saved $$$ on something that might actually need to be replaced with something better.
I've been diving Scubapro regs since 1983, but I'd really like to see some stability in their product line, or at least continued support for their older regs. Trade-in programs are not support.

What kind of support are you looking for?

I have a MK1 that still gets annual service.

Terry

 

[Hoosier]

I am sure we have covered this clarification before though.

How many kinds of G250s in the market?

As I recall, there are

G250 OLD
G250 2nd generation (?)
G250 Graphite
G250HP
G250V

What is the internal difference? I know G250HP is different.

 

[Luis H]

It was around this same time that scubapro started pairing up 1st/2nd stages at a combined price, prior to this time 1st and 2nd stages were sold mix and match (you can still buy them this way, however the sets have mostly taken over). Scubapro tended to match their high end second stages with their high end first stages, and low end with low end.

Well, actually the practice of allowing to pick any second stage and first stage combination didn’t start until sometime in the 80’s.

In the 70’s for the most part you only had two second stages, the adjustable and the basic down stream and they where paired up only with either the high end flow through piston (for the adjustable) or the low end Mk-2 or Mk-3 unbalanced piston (for the down stream).

When the Pilot came out it was only available with the MK-5 or the Mk-7. The Mk-1 and the Mk-6 were already discontinued.

The regulators in the 70’s were labeled exclusively by what we now consider to be the first stage name (Mk-2, Mk5, Mk-7, etc.). The numbers for the second stage was just a part number.

In the early 70’s octopus were not common, therefore there was very little need to order a second stage by itself.

 

[Fishpie]

I'd also like to know what difference there is (if any) between a G250 Graphite and the regular G250. My bet is they were cost cutting by making the name shorter.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I am sure we have covered this clarification before though.

How many kinds of G250s in the market?

As I recall, there are

G250 OLD
G250 2nd generation (?)
G250 Graphite
G250HP
G250V

What is the internal difference? I know G250HP is different.

There was the G250 with minor cosmetic changes in terms of purge button labels and adjustment knob styles. The name changed over time with G250 graphite, G250, etc, and the G250 logo changed, but the reg did not. If I rememeber correclty the original G250 was called the G250 graphite, but I could be wrong, it could have been the second name used. SP tried to differentiate the oplastic they used from everyone elses plastic by saying it was a graphite reinforced something or ruther, hence the "graphite" terminology.

There was however the G250C that was done with a clear plastic case and purge cover. They are fairly rare.

They also did a white cased G250 that is rare.

Excess production run clear G250C purge covers seemed to end up painted in pink and blue "hot colors" designs. Some regs were sold with them, but the covers were also sold separately as an accessory/upgrade.

The G250 HP was different. It always looks slightly larger in overall size compared to a G250 and used an all plastic air barrel and adjustment knobs and a different balance chamber. It is really an entirely different second stage with little parts commonality with the older G250, and has higher parts commonality with the S600.

The G250V is very similar to the original G250. The airbarrel fits the old G250 case but is slightly longer and the finned inlet fitting nut is larger in external diameter and a bit longer. So to get one to fit an older G250 you would have to either shorten the inlet end of the air barrel slightly or relieve the case slightly to allow the use of the larger and longer G250V nut. The airbarrel and nut changes actually improve heat transfer so there is more to it than just cosmetics. The G250V airbarrel also has a longer oval shaped exit hole for the air in the air barrel.

The purge cover is different with cosmetic changes and more shiny bits, but I think it would fit an old G250.

 

[Fishpie]

Thanks DA. I have never observed a difference between the Graphite and the immediate next model G250...both have the same blue 2 piece shuttle and black balance chamber, same fluted resistance knob and short venturi lever.
btw I have never seen a white case 2nd but I have seen a clear blue as well as the clear clear.
To change the subject to the Mk10 (9) I've never seen one without the swivel turret. Do these have 4 or 5 ports?

 

[Leo53214]

Thank you for all the information! After going through the extensive list of details given, it is clear that they both are the old style (the "octo" is an identical second stage G250- both have the original warranty cards) and the 1st stage is a MK10 swivel. The first stage and hoses look brand new, even though they are not. I knew that they had a good reputation but I had no idea just how good it was! I am most excited to try them out!!

- Leo in Wisconsin

 

[Couv]

Thanks DA. I have never observed a difference between the Graphite and the immediate next model G250...both have the same blue 2 piece shuttle and black balance chamber, same fluted resistance knob and short venturi lever.
btw I have never seen a white case 2nd but I have seen a clear blue as well as the clear clear.
To change the subject to the Mk10 (9) I've never seen one without the swivel turret. Do these have 4 or 5 ports?

Hi Fishpie,

The MK10 and MK 9 are the same 1st stage, except the 10 has a 5 port swivel and the 9 has a 5 port (non swiveling) cap.

couv

 

[DA Aquamaster]

She's a dive instructor, and has a lot of dives under her belt, so I can understand why she'd want to try something different - try to mix things up to keep diving interesting!

Anyhow - thanks for the input...

JUst get her two new G250V purge covers and put them on her old G250's.