ScubaPro A700 vs G250V (vs Oceanic Eos)

[munkfish]

Hubs and I are getting ready to invest in our own regs, and have narrowed down the field to three possible choices.

Quick Backgrounder: Living in Ontario, we're mostly looking at temperate dives (40-70F) in a fair amount of silt/sediment. Will be doing AOW in the spring, and he's looking to do some ice dives after that. A family friend died under the ice due to frozen regs, so it's important the equipment can handle cold, though we'd like to be able to take the regs to warmer climes as well. I'm asthmatic (well controlled and aware of the risks) so ease/comfort of breathing is also particularly important.

SO with that in mind, we're looking at:

1 & 2. ScubaPro MK17 with (a) A700 or (b) G250V
3. Oceanic FDX-10 / EOS

I know the SP setups are more expensive, but if the added cost is justifiable I don't have a problem with it.

I'd love to hear what you guys think.
Thanks in advance!

 

[mobeeno]

I know the G250V and MK17 is a proven cold water performer ( below 40F). The MK17 is also perfect for silt and sediment environment. I have not heard or read anything negative about them.
Dont know much about the A700 or Oceanic for the kind of conditions you mentioned.

 

[Wayward Son]

Have not dove the A700. I own the G250V and have rapidly become a huge fan of it. Great breathing 2nd.

 

[pheel]

I do have the MK17/G250V and I really like it. However, my buddy who has the same setup, got a major freeflow at Morrison Quarry (since you're from Ottawa I guess you know that place). He was at 110' (43F) when it happened. It looked like the problem might have been caused by the adjustement knob that was almost fully open. Anyway, he had the regulator IP pressure lower by 10 psi by the SP dealer.

The week after I went back with him at 110' and everything was fine. Mine didn't get any IP tuning and was just fine.

Free flow can happend to anyone, I just wanted to share my buddy's story. I think SP is very good.

 

[Hatul]

I think Scubapro makes better regs than Oceanic. My 14 year old Oceanic Delta 2's are finished, and I've seen much older Scubapros working perfectly.

Adam

 

[Hatul]

I think Scubapro makes better regs than Oceanic. My 14 year old Oceanic Delta 2's are finished, and I've seen much older Scubapros working perfectly.

Adam

sorry for the double posting

 

[munkfish]

Thanks all.

We were (slightly) leaning toward the ScubaPro options already simply because our preferred LDS carries them, but wonder if anyone has dived both models? The specs are easy enough to look up, but experience from a community like this counts for quite a bit more.

Does the A700 solve any shortcomings of the G250V, or is it simply a full-metal/smaller equivalent?