Scubapro D300 upgrade to S600 or A700 Query

[BoltSnap]

Also, the LDS had a G260 tactical. Is this in the same league as the S600 and A700?

Same league but it comes down to personal preference, just like people like vanilla ice cream while others like chocolate, etc. The A700 has better cold water rating than the others (meaning VERY cold, icy cold). Each model has its fans and they will have their arguments why one is more preferred than the other. In theory, the A700 is SP's top of the line then the S620Ti, S600 and then the G260.

 

[johnnywulff]

Yes D300-350-400 it uses the same rubber exhaust cover

 

[buddhasummer]

Yes D300-350-400 it uses the same rubber exhaust cover

I thought the D400 used a different cover?

 

[johnnywulff]

I thought the D400 used a different cover?

There are the same, upgrade where made in the lever thickness, housing and linkege exhaust valve, here's my collection from I start to dive in 1980

 

[buddhasummer]

There are the same, upgrade where made in the lever thickness, housing and linkege exhaust valve, here's my collection from I start to dive in 1980 View attachment 410177

Thanks. So the difference in cover is just cosmetic, got it, cheers.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I would try and clean the old one in sillicone milk or armor all first.

 

[rsingler]

Dive the D300 as long as you can get it serviced. But be careful, getting an old purge cover off can be a challenge, and if a shop doesn't do it correctly, it's very easy to tear the diaphragm with whatever tool they slip inside the cover to get it off.
As you can tell from my avatar, I'm a D-series guy too, but as for ease of breathing, keep in mind that work of breathing comes in two parts: inhalation and exhalation.
While the case geometry allows you to set the D300 cracking effort as low as 0.4" water, that's only half of it. The S620Ti has a much bigger exhalation valve, and the reg is much lighter in the mouth than my A700. The A700 is just a little finicky to service due to adjustment knob components.
For my next 20 year reg, I'd choose the 620, and I'm a guy who doesn't much like plastic. But that's one easy breathing, light second stage.

 

[rsingler]

Got lots of D-series spares, incl a cover, if you want to keep it going. PM me.

Cheers!

 

[WantSomeScuba?]

Thanks Burham, Im spoilt for choice. Ti might be a bridge to far though.

My LDS thought they might have a 2nd hand rubber exhaust for my D300 but alas they couldn't find it. My question is then, is the D300, D350 and D400 using the same rubber exhaust? If so this widens my choice a bit when looking for a 2nd hand reg to cannibalise for parts.

Also, the LDS had a G260 tactical. Is this in the same league as the S600 and A700?

The G260 tech is a nice reg--I have an S600 and a G260 black tech. The G260 has a lot of interchangeable parts with an R195, and you can reverse the inlet tube on it. The S600 is a little more compact, lighter, and flows a tad more air in my opinion.

That said, I don't know anyone who dislikes their A700. The only reason I don't like them is because they have these tiny little screws in the cover that come out when you service them and I have big ol' ham hands. Can't really go wrong with any of the models you're looking at though.

 

[johnnywulff]

Got lots of D-series spares, incl a cover, if you want to keep it going. PM me.

Cheers!

@rsingler do you have the D400 housing with the metal orifice ?