Scubapro Lower End Regs.

[mannella9]

Ok, I have decided that I want the MK17 first stage from all the reviews and forums I have read. My question is on the second stage. I am looking at the R295 reg and the R190, which I guess is getting fazed out. I am open water certified and would like to get my AOW and would like to know if the R295/R190 would be ok for the Advanced? I guess the next jump would be the S555, but the price jumps too. I know price shouldnt be a big factor, but I am on a budget. I live in Michigan and will do 99% of my diving in Michigan.

Well any help would be appreciated.

 

[Stu S.]

The cheapest of your choices is more than adequate for AOW. Overkill, in fact.

 

[Wayward Son]

An R190 will work fine on a Mk17. Stepping up to a balanced 2nd stage will give you smoother air delivery.

 

[mannella9]

Well where do you get into the advanced regs then? lol

 

[Stu S.]

Well where do you get into the advanced regs then? lol

Over the past 29 years, I have owned three regulators. The two "economy" models were just fine at 150 feet, and seemed good for more. Certainly, the Scubapro models you have mentioned should be good to that depth. The experts tell us the real heavy-duty premium regulators are superior below 200. I have not been that deep.

Happy diving!

 

[mannella9]

o, ok . I am not planning on hitting that depth anytime soon. LOL

 

[mthirsc]

I notice a significant difference between unbalanced and balanced at about 120 feet, at which point the balanced are more comfortable to use, though they will all give plenty of air.

 

[divemaster_jim]

An R190 will work fine on a Mk17. Stepping up to a balanced 2nd stage will give you smoother air delivery.

I currently use Mk17/R190/G200 on a set of doubles with little to no difference in performance down to over 150 ft. Another set of doubles with MK10/R190 to over 120 ft. with no difference in performance. But also to add my "sensitivity" may be different that yours.

 

[squidster]

I never heard that they are doing away with R295,but thats what i have breathes ok,
i would rather have R295 over R190 because R295 is more comfortible, smaller.
If you go to balanced dont mess with s555 go to a x650
i see no advantage to go to s555 over R295
x650 is not only balanced but diver adjustible

 

[Wayward Son]

My personal reg is a Mk5 with an R109 adjustable 2nd stage for my primary. This stage has been upgraded to be a balanced adjustable.

My octo is an R380. With both driven by the same 1st stage it makes the comparison of the 2nds fair. the deepest I've done this is about 110 FSW.

The R380 breathes pretty well, I actually have no complaints with it. But the 2 stages have a distinctly different feel to them when inhaling. The balanced is notably smoother, where the 380 is more abrupt.

Not a real big deal, but different.