Scubapro Mk17/x650 vs Mk25/S600

[menc44]

Any one have any opinions on these? The price of the 25 is affordable for me. I was planning on the 25 until I heard the the 17 is better in cold water. Any significant differences/benefits between them? Also, any other reg combos that are comparable in price and quality? I like the lifetime parts warranty, any others like that? I am biased to Scubapro but am looking to break it with fact and reviews if available. Thanks

 

[split0101]

I was looking at the MK17, but my LDS tech said that with the "AF" (Anti Freeze) Kit you should get very comparable results in the same cold water. The MK17 will be a little better because it's environmentally sealed, but they should be very close in performance (again according to my LDS tech).

There are also a few other brands out there with LL warranty: Aqualung, Zeagle, Atomics so there are a few options out there.

 

[alo100]

I was looking at the MK17, but my LDS tech said that with the "AF" (Anti Freeze) Kit you should get very comparable results in the same cold water. The MK17 will be a little better because it's environmentally sealed, but they should be very close in performance (again according to my LDS tech).

There are also a few other brands out there with LL warranty: Aqualung, Zeagle, Atomics so there are a few options out there.

That's right, it's env. sealed, so better, you don't even need to worry about silt get'n in.
plus, the cost for MK17 should be cheaper. That's my vote.

 

[menc44]

Anti Freeze kit? I thought it was designed not to freeze. You have to add something?

 

[Dave in PA]

I personnaly dive Mk25/S600 on my doubles and just bought a Mk17/S555 for a single tank reg. I have no preference over the first stages, either one delivers more air than I need. I prefer the S600 over the S555 due to the breathing adjustment on it. Properly adjusted, the MK25 should not freeze up, although when I went to the reg tech class, I was told the MK17 is more resistant since it is a sealed unit, it just doesn't flow as much air as the MK25.

 

[split0101]

Anti Freeze kit? I thought it was designed not to freeze. You have to add something?

Not sure if it's for the most current revision of the MK25. I think someone mentioned that the MK25 has had a few improvements since it's original release. I would check out SP website but it's "flash" so I cant check it out from work. Im going to see my tech guy this Friday so I can ask him if it's for the latest and greatest revision of the MK25.

I like the MK17 it's cheaper, has a smaller profile then the MK25, environmentally sealed, and breathes the same (from what I hear) as the MK25. So for me it's a no brainer unless someone can give me a good reason why to go with the MK25.

 

[menc44]

What about the x650 vs the s600? Keep the posts coming on the 25 and 17 as well.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Flow rate on the Mk 25 is 300 SCFM compared to 177 SCFM for the Mk 17. That sounds like a big deal but it really isn't as the extra flow on the Mk 25 is overkill and anything over 125-150 SCFM is gravy anyway even for deep air or deep technical trimix diving.

I use very easy breathing D400 second stages and when I switched from the Mk 25 to the Mk 17 I noted no difference at all in ease of breathing even at depth. If there were a qualitative difference between the two first stages, it would have shown up.

In my experience the freeze resistance on the Mk 25 is marginal once you get into water colder than about 40 degrees F. Some divers have good luck with it in extremely cold water, but too many divers have experienced freeze ups in extremely cold water even with the most current TIS upgrades. As an example, I can fill a 200 lb liftbag in 100 ft of 35 degree water with a Mk 17 with no problems while the Mk 25 will freeze flow during this particular evolution.

In recent testing the Mk 17 survived 200 minutes at high flow rates in 165 ft of 35 degree water without a freeze up. A Mk 25 would not have passed the same test (and neither did any other reg tested).

I like the Mk 17 hose routing on doubles and it works well for singles also. So unless you are a big fan of a low pressure port swivel turret, I see no reason at all to go with the more expensive Mk 25.

I have used both the X650 and S600 and there is not really any noteable difference between them. For less money the G250HP will give you identical performance and it is in my opinion a much better choice for a second stage.

 

[cobaltblue]

I personally have both the mk17 and mk25 and the s600 and x650. I am currently diving the x650 and the mk17. The mk 25 is great but I have had freezing issues with it and so has my wife diving in Lake Michigan, temps less than 40 degrees. The mk17 has been bullet proof. Not only has the mk17 been bullet proof, Scuba Pro has been one of the best companies I have dealth with regarding any product.

Between the s600 and the x650, I'm not so certain I have a clear choice. Both are great regs. I don't think you can go wrong with either and I think the 250 is a great choice too.

 

[ScubaKimmie]

I was looking at the MK17, but my LDS tech said that with the "AF" (Anti Freeze) Kit you should get very comparable results in the same cold water. The MK17 will be a little better because it's environmentally sealed, but they should be very close in performance (again according to my LDS tech).

Do NOT use the MK-25 in cold water. Not unless you've detuned the heck out of it. I've seen many of them freeze at depth during a dive. Then again if you have to detune it, why buy it? It's a great reg for warm water but cold water? Forget it.