ScubaPro MK10 / G250 for Cave Diving

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CaveSloth

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Messages
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Location
The Deep South
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50 - 99
Just wanted to double check with this group... These semi-vintage regs considered ideal for fresh water cave diving in Florida and Mexico?
 
They’re more than adequate. You’ve gotten the same opinion from some of the preeminent experts on the planet and continue to ask the same question in different places. It’s among the best second stages and among the more robustly designed first stage designs that have ever existed and can be had for as little as $100/set before servicing. There’s even parts kits on VDH. Best of luck.


Edit: along =\= among
 
After servicing, you'll end up with a premium quality reg set that breathes as well or better than any modern reg and you won't have to pay BIG$$$$$$$. Hell, you'll be able to afford to service them regularly with the savings. I have MK20s on my doubles with G250s and I have MK10s with G250s on my stages. I have no regrets concerning these decisions.
 
For cave diving reliability matters more than performance.
With a MK10+G250 you have the highest reliability possible, with performances close to to the top.
I would never sacrifice reliability for a slightly better performance.
And as for this specific use reliability rules, I would install on it the latest Scubapro Din Conversion kit (which is also very cheap).
I suggest that you buy two complete MK10+G250 sets, and install them on two independent valves, or, better, two independent cylinders connected with a valve-equipped "separation" manifold.
 
MK 10 / G250, Good for ALL diving!!!!

Also, I prefer the term "Late Vintage":cool:
 
Do I need to stock up on replacement / rebuild parts for these or will they be available indefinitely?
 
Do I need to stock up on replacement / rebuild parts for these or will they be available indefinitely?
The second stage service kit is the same as the current latest model, the G260, so I do not see any shortcoming in the future. These regs have a life cycle of 20-25 years... The G250V was a recent "vintage" production of the original one. I really cannot think of a reg with a longer service life (apart, of course, the 109).
For the MK10 the situation is slightly different. Service kits for it can be yet be found on Ebay, here for example:
Scubapro Maintenance Service Repair Kit MK 10 MK10 10500045 Dead Stock Sealed | eBay
I think it could be advisable to purchase a couple of them, which should give you some 10 years of service (my experience with these piston first stages is that they need maintenance every 5 years or 200 dives, depending on which occurs first, if properly washed and dried after salt water diving - but you plan to use it in fresh water...).
Specialised sellers, such as Vintage Double Hose, indeed, have a huge stock of parts for these classic regs.
Here the complete kit for a very small price:
Store | Vintage Double Hose
Also consider that most parts are in common with other SP first stages.
In conclusion, I do not really foresee any shortage of parts for these classic components. In 2040 it will be easier to service these ones than many others more modern regs, which will simply disappear, as many others already did in the past.
 
Do I need to stock up on replacement / rebuild parts for these or will they be available indefinitely?

Nobody can answer that question, including people that work at scubapro. At one point in time maybe they will stop producing parts, but not in the near future. There are also so many mk10s out there, that the likelihood of that happening any time in the near future is not high.
Not to be crass, but just buy the damn regs already and quit worrying so much. The amount of money you're saving by buying low cost/extremely high performing regs greatly offsets the chance that in 10-15 years you can't buy parts. There was one guy on cdf that said he couldn't find parts at some point, but that's about all I've ever heard of that, and VDH always has parts. It is widely held knowledge in the florida cave community that Russel (sludge) is the most trusted scubapro expert in the area. If he says you won't have trouble, then you can believe it. You have people from regular cave divers, to ow divers, to GUE exploration divers that all rave about and buy mk10/g250s and are highly recommending them. Stop posting the same questions in multiple places and just buy some. I've already looked at 3 different sets on ebay and have thought about buying them eventhough I don't need them. You're going to miss out if you don't grab some. And just remember, these regs will likely be the least expensive, most cost-effective piece of equipment you're going to buy for cave diving. So save the stress for more important things like, is that $5000 scooter worth it.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/
http://cavediveflorida.com/Rum_House.htm

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