Scuba pro mk25 vs Apeks xtx200

[mikeng]

Greetings from the Philippines

Hello guys this is my first post, i just recently got my open water certification and now am looking for new gear. I decided to get the regulator first. Im wondering which do you think is a better buy the Scuba pro mk25 or the apeks xtx200? this are my top 2 choices, both are readily available here and can be serviced easilly.

The mk25 is a bit pricey than the xtx200? do you guys think the additional cost will be worth it? or should i get the cheaper xtx200, will be diving in warm waters and i don't think ill be diving on cold waters in the foreseeable future.

thanks

 

[Fishpie]

Both are great regs. top of the line from well respected companies.
You can't go wrong with either.

But.....you wanted an opinion between the two.
My preference is for diaphragm 1st stages, so my nod goes to Apeks.
Don't forget that Scubapro has the Mk 17 diaphragm.
....and
If you want to save some money the Apeks XTX 20 will perform equally as well as the 200 in warm water.....as will the AquaLung LX.

 

[crosing]

I've had both and preferred the Apeks for breathability and soundness in cold water. I had a problem with the scubapro free flowing.

 

[mikeng]

Both are great regs. top of the line from well respected companies.
You can't go wrong with either.

But.....you wanted an opinion between the two.
My preference is for diaphragm 1st stages, so my nod goes to Apeks.
Don't forget that Scubapro has the Mk 17 diaphragm.
....and
If you want to save some money the Apeks XTX 20 will perform equally as well as the 200 in warm water.....as will the AquaLung LX.

thanks for the opinion.. any body else have a diff suggestion? would a piston regulator be more beneficial for me in the long run ( in terms of durability ) than a diaphragm? i dont think ill be requiring a sealed reg.

 

[Fishpie]

The reason I like diaphragm 1st stages it that they are by design sealed......the cold water kit adds a second seal.
I haven't kept any records, but, in my opinion, having put on a wetsuit for a living for the past 20 years, and maintaining a fleet of 30 regs that don't always receive the best treatment, diaphragm regs will stay in tune longer than piston types.

Diaphragm 1st stages are very forgiving of long periods of inactivity and storage in hostile conditions.

 

[mikeng]

The reason I like diaphragm 1st stages it that they are by design sealed......the cold water kit adds a second seal.
I haven't kept any records, but, in my opinion, having put on a wetsuit for a living for the past 20 years, and maintaining a fleet of 30 regs that don't always receive the best treatment, diaphragm regs will stay in tune longer than piston types.

Diaphragm 1st stages are very forgiving of long periods of inactivity and storage in hostile conditions.

thanks i really didnt know that.. i really thougth piston reg would be more durable due to its simple design. will consider the xtx200 more

 

[Pacifica Dive]

Diving in the Philippines means warm, clear water.
There are simply no icing issues in these conditions, nor do they call for environmental seals.
All mentioned regs are CE Cold-Water certified and therefore any icing in "standard" conditions results most likely from moisture in the tank.
Any Diaphragm / Up-Stream valve has more moving parts and a lower air delivery as compared to the MK25 1st stage Down Stream Piston Design.

 

[Zung]

In the 90's, I replaced my Spiro (Aqua Lung) Supra/XL with the Scubapro MK20/G250 (basically the same as the MK25) because I found the SP breathes noticeably better. Now it's our standard, for the wife and the 2 kids. We dive warm water only.

 

[Fishpie]

What a reg "feels" like to breath is all to do with the 2nd stage, and the G250 is arguably the best there is.
A flow through piston 1st stage like the MK20/25 has the highest theoretical performance of any 1st stage, but since its flow potential far exceeds the flow of the tank valve the actual benefit of this massive flow is minimal.
Yes, there are fewer moving parts in a piston 1st stage but it also has 2 o rings exposed to the elements. I have never experienced a diaphragm 1st stage failure due to the "extra" moving internals, in fact the opposite is my experience, my piston regs need more frequent servicing.