Scubapro Mk14 vs. MK18

[WarmWaterDiver]

Hello! I was wondering what the primary difference was between the Scubapro MK14 and Scubapro MK18 first stages (other than numerical designation)? It's a bit of a pain / shame when the manufacturer doesn't keep literature on their previous models readily available - it reminds me of Chrysler / Dodge under Lee Iacocca when "if we keep making parts for our old cars, no one will buy our new cars". Now Lee's gone, and the latest Dodge trucks now have this "new" hemi engine!

Thanks,
Robert

 

[Seadiver5]

I don't know the difference but I have a Mk. 14 that works great. I have been thinking of selling it but I have not made that decision yet. For a diaphram regulator I have gone to the Poseidon Cyclon as that is what most scientific divers in the Arctic use. In town I use my tried and true Mk 20 pistons...

 

[ElectricZombie]

I don't think there is a whole lot of difference between them. I'll have to check the schematics later. The Mk14 is no longer made, but you can still get the Mk18 at a few places online or direct from SP. SP no longer includes the Mk18 in their catalogs for some reason. I seem to remember someone telling me that a branch of the military uses all Mk18s...maybe that's why it's still around. A Mk16 would perform just as well though.

 

[raposarose]

I am not familiar with the details of the Mk14 but the Mk18 has two high pressure ports and a swivel -- is that the same as the Mk 14?

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

Thanks for the help so far. Both have 2 HP ports, and a swivel / turret for the LP ports. The Scubapro Europe (UK for English version) site shows the current production version of the MK 18.

http://www.scubapro.co.uk/pdfs/Page15-18.pdf

And this site I found via postings on this board this site which has mechanical detail documentation for both the MK 18 & MK 14

http://www.deepsouthdivers.org/regs.html

I've seen rebuild kits for MK16 / MK18 around, and was wondering if those would also work in the MK 14, as well as what was changed between the MK 14 and MK 18.

I have an opportunity to purchase either / both model "pre-owned". We have other regulators that we've had rendered 100% O2 clean & compatible as we've started technical dive training (will go to Bikini Atoll some time within the next 2 years, did our tech cert dives in the Caymans over Thanksgiving), but we often vacation somewhere remote enough that grade E air is all that's available (like Tikehau in Tahiti). So, I'd like to have an inexpensive pair of first stages to dedicate to air (rather than enriched air) service for recreational diving. We have two Scubapro MK 25 first stages, two Aqua Lung Micra first stages with environmental kit, and two Sherwood Maximus rigs (our first equipment sets - we use for deco bottles now), and an assortment of second stages. I've liked the performance of our other Scubapro gear, and after buying our first sets brand new from a LDS and then seeing (and utilizing) the availability of quality pre-owned gear, it's a lot like buying cars to me.


Anyway, I was trying to get a quick feel from someone who might know as an alternative to us poring over the mechanical drawings to look for differences. Any help is appreciated.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Scubapro adopted the Mk 14 on sort of an interim basis as some people just wanted a diaphragm reg whether it made any sense or not. My SP tech rep's opinion of the Mk 14 is not what you would call a warm endorsement.

The result was the relatively rapid introduction of the MK 16 and 18 to provide a diaphragm reg capable of at least moderately high performance (flow rates of approx 80 to 90 scfm) The MK 14 guts are substantially different than the Mk 16 and Mk 18 guts so the parts are not interchangeable.

The Mk 16 and 18 are functionally very similar with the primary difference being the swivel cap on the MK 18 and the use of high flow ports on the non swivel cap equipped Mk 16. The intermediate pressure air is routed differently to the LP ports but the designs are otherwise virtually identical.

So the MK 18 is worth buying if you need a good recreational regulator, while the MK 14 would make a great paperweight.

Scubapro is supposed to be developing the MK 17 diaphragm first stage but I have no details or target dates.

 

[WarmWaterDiver]

Thanks for the info - maybe the upcoming MK 17 is why the MK 18 is not to be found on the catalogs outside of Europe. The MK 18 I have a lead on is pre-owned, but supposedly never wet (looks like it). Price (including shipping) was within $5 US for what DiveInn has currently listed for a MK 16, and I like the turret design on the MK 25's. It seems that MK 14 owners are still able to get their equipment serviced currently though (reply above by Seadiver5).

I know there are folks who switch back & forth between EAN with 40% O2 or less and Grade E air for breathing gas, but I'm personally not comfortable doing that with the high pressure equipment (first stages, SPG's, and HP hoses). If it's Grade J air, I personally don't have issues with using the same HP equipment as for EAN.