Scubapro MK2 Plus/R295 Regulator as Starter

[cbrich]

I thought the A700 and S600 used different poppets.

Nope same poppet. Inhalation adjust is different, along with the VIVA adjustment. The VIVA on the A700, wraps around the air barrel versus a vain deflector that's on the S600.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Nope same poppet. Inhalation adjust is different, along with the VIVA adjustment. The VIVA on the A700, wraps around the air barrel versus a vain deflector that's on the S600.

Agree with some of it. The A700 uses a more central air barrel location along with elements of the flow "vane" and adjustment knob from the X650 as well as balance chamber and micro adjust taken directly from the X650. Consequently it has very little similarity with the S600.

However, while the A700 poppet design is very similar to that of the S600, it is slightly shorter.

The overall impact is that the design is much superior to the S600 in terms of subjectively being able to deliver smoother and more natural feeling air flow.

 

[Supermanwoot]

Ok so from what you are saying though, while being a useless "award" it does alert us to the regulator as being something to look out for as a decent value.

The mk11 is diaphragm so it is not open to the environment like a piston which seems like a plus if you don't service your reg every pre-season buy theoretically wont flow as smooth or as quickly as a piston although overbreathing it is unlikely. I really can't see any negatives to the c200/300 + mk11 combo besides that it maybe doesn't breathe as good as an mk25/a700. For the price it seems like a solid choice IMO. Its also a very lightweight/compact setup and is the latest model for a reasonable price.

I'm usually a supporter of the latest models, i must say, but especially when they are reasonably priced. I hope the c200/300 + mk11 really performs for the money because they are a widely supported brand.

So I have to ask. If i was a looking for a new reg and had $400 to spend, "why shouldn't I get the c300/mk11?" seems to be a better question than why i should.

 

[halocline]

The mk11 is diaphragm so it is not open to the environment like a piston which seems like a plus if you don't service your reg every pre-season buy theoretically wont flow as smooth or as quickly as a piston although overbreathing it is unlikely.

I'm usually a supporter of the latest models, i must say,

Both diaphragm and piston 1st stages have ambient chambers which are open to the environment. With a piston reg, the ambient chamber, spring, and a portion of the piston shaft are exposed to water, while with an unsealed diaphragm, the ambient chamber, spring, and outside of the diaphragm are exposed. There's very little difference in terms of contamination. There is the bit that the piston shaft moves through the HP o-ring (in the balanced piston design) and so theoretically there is a mm or so of piston shaft that experiences both ambient and HP air, as well as a corresponding small area of the ambient chamber wall that is covered by the movement of the piston head o-ring. But those are very small areas that are sealed by o-rings.

There are also far greater differences between specific piston and specific diaphragm regs in terms of performance than there are between the two designs (well, three really) types of designs.

I have a MK11 and a MK2. I would be perfectly happy diving either one in any environment I'm likely to find myself in. The noticeable difference in performance is primarily in the 2nd stage.

I'm afraid I'm on the opposite end of the spectrum with regards to your preference for the latest models. To me, with SP, the older, the better.