ScubaPro MK10 / G250 for Cave Diving

[Dominick Gheesling]

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.

I'm just that regular cave diver and I completely agree! I've purchased all of my regs: MK10, MK20, and G250s used. I immediately had them serviced, prior to use, by a highly reputable individual in Cave Country and never looked back, except occasionally to look at them lovingly as I think how much cash I saved and the fact that they breathe better than just about any other reg out there. Seriously, I don't like doing S-Drills because I hate breathing through someone else's crappy regs that feels like sucking gas through a straw. They breathe excellently in every body position. I have had ZERO problems/failures. I can't believe I am posting this because now I might have more competition when bidding for used regs on Ebay Next time you are around some really experienced Cave divers/explorers, mention the G250 and you will see a little light spark in their eyes as they wax nostalgic about the greatest breathing 2nd stage ever produced. If you hate them, I will take them off your hands.

 

[StefinSB]

Do I need to stock up on replacement / rebuild parts for these or will they be available indefinitely?

They will be discontinued on 10/15/2021. I heard that from a reliable source on SB.

 

[rddvet]

They will be discontinued on 10/15/2021. I heard that from a reliable source on SB.

i’ve heard those rumors on and off for years. I’d be willing to put $50 down that wont hapoen.

 

[karstdvr]

i’ve heard those rumors on and off for years. I’d be willing to put $50 down that wont hapoen.

I too have heard these reports, and even ran into some issues once when trying to obtain some parts. That being said I have numerous rebuilds, pistons, and springs; but honestly they are robust and don't need to a lot of service.

 

[karstdvr]

I remember a nonscientific test done by Steve Berman, Tyler Moon, Ted Cole, and perhaps Jarrod Jablonski- it was done at the Ginnie Springs trailer, and beer may have been involved. They took a set of doubles and equalized the tanks, then isolated them by closing the isolator valve. They removed the bottom port plug from a MK10 and MK20, and placed them on each tank valve orifice. They opened both valves rapidly and simultaneously. The side with MK10 drained the tank faster than the MK20.

 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I remember a nonscientific test done by Steve Berman, Tyler Moon, Ted Cole, and perhaps Jarrod Jablonski- it was done at the Ginnie Springs trailer, and beer may have been involved. They took a set of doubles and equalized the tanks, then isolated them by closing the isolator valve. They removed the bottom port plug from a MK10 and MK20, and placed them on each tank valve orifice. They opened both valves rapidly and simultaneously. The side with MK10 drained the tank faster than the MK20.

What if the lever on one of the 250's was a touch higher?

I would have repeated it and switched the 250's and the hoses.

 

[karstdvr]

What if the lever on one of the 250's was a touch higher?

I would have repeated it and switched the 250's and the hoses.

No 2nd stage was my understanding. It was purely a comparison of the MK20 v Mk10. No saying scientific basis,but they were trying to determine what 1st stage moved the most gas.

 

[tbone1004]

Just wanted to double check with this group... These semi-vintage regs considered ideal for fresh water cave diving in Florida and Mexico?

I wouldn't say the MK10 is "ideal" for cave diving, but that's a personal aversion to thinking that pistons, especially unsealed pistons, are ideal for anything. That said I have 6 of them, and use them on a regular basis. The g250's are certainly in the "ideal" camp. Just go buy some.

 

[kensuf]

Dammit, now there's a lot of people pouncing on regs from ebay.

 

[tbone1004]

Dammit, now there's a lot of people pouncing on regs from ebay.

I feel the same about Poseidons.... I thankfully have a near lifetime supply.