Scubapro Mk25 A700 Or Apeks Black Sapphire? Need Help Deciding.

[Scubakev1982]

Need help choosing between Scubapro mk25 a700 or Apeks Black Sapphire? Tec/rec dives mostly in saltwater, both warm and very cold water, diving down to 80 meters on occasion. Which reg would likely be the best choice?

 

[Pedro Burrito]

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A ScubaBoard Staff Message...

Moved to Regulators forum

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[eelnoraa]

Assuming you are referring to Mk25/A700 regular (chrome) version, then no question here, Mk25/A700. For nothing else but "lower" price tag of $840. The Black Saphire is MSRP at $1250, it is just ridiculous. Don't forget you will need at least 2 set for double and 1 more for deco for a proper tech dive. That is a lot of money for just blinks After a few dives, all dive equipment look like crap anyway. I would suggest spending money wisely and practically

 

[Phil111]

Both are excellent but I'd go with a XTX50. Same performance, less bling, less money.

http://www.atomicaquatics.com/reviews_PDF/July07Regs.pdf
Declassified: the world's deepest diver

Thats not to suggest that the scubapro MK17 couldn't do the same dive. All the apeks above the xtx50 DST,DS4 are virtually the same.Different cosmetics, same internals. Don't confuse price with performance.

 

[Scubakev1982]

Thanks for your advice. I've also been looking at the atomic T3... Most of this just seems like marketing.

 

[eelnoraa]

Tech diving, titanium shouldn't be mixed. Amongst atomic, the best suited reg for tech diving is M1, the 2nd inline is Z2

 

[kelemvor]

Won't he be wanting a diaphragm for that cold water diving?

 

[BoltSnap]

In the Atomic regulator product line, the M1 is rated for technical diving.

 

[Ludicrous Depth]

If anyone is interested, I have two, yes two brand new, still in the box MK25/A700. These are not the EVO's bought these two just before the EVO's came out. If interested PM me and we can discuss.

 

[Centrals]

Forget the Black Sapphire and get the XTX200 instead.
Personally I use DS4(18yrs) but the FSR(XTX 1st stage) comes with ARCAP + 5th port(latest FSR). The ARCAP is very useful in long run.