Scubapro MK25 First stage for a dive to 200 ft?

[northcoast_diver]

...I have the Mk-20s, older than the 25s. They are excellent regulators. I have taken them to 200'. As an aside, some of my buddies own Apeks regs. During OOA drills they expressed surprise at how easier my regs were breathing than theirs. ..
.

I dive with ScubaPro Mk 20s as well, combined with S600 2nd stages. I have had mine to 185 ft on air.

Air is the hardest breathing gas at depth, due to its density.

Deeper than 185 ft you would not use air, you would use trimix, which due to its helium content is less dense and easier to breath.

I do not plan to move up to the Mk 25 nor to the X650. I love and trust the Mk 20s and the S600s.

 

[DandyDon]

Thanks everyone - for the fast and helpful comments.

Spoke with my Technician this morning; he said he'd order the MK-25 next week and have it ready for a fast change when I get back from Brockville Ontario after Labor Day. Going to North Carolina 3 weeks later.

I've dived my Oceanic CDX (retrofitted after the infamous recall) to 162 feet with no notice of any problems, but I like everything he and you guys have told me about the MK-25.
The coldest I've ever dived - or want to - is 50oF, but I'll rethink this if I plan a colder water trip, along with a dry suit rental!

He likes my Oceanic Second stages, so we're going to service them and put them on the MK-25. I would never mix brands, but I trust his judgement so far.

I'll then have an extra CDX First stage, and he likes the idea of replacing my Aqua Lung on my Pony with it. Again, we're putting the Aqua Lung Second Stage on an Oceanic First stage, but he's happy with the set up. He cautions against counting heavily on the CDX for my rare descents to 200 feet, but for bailout - no problems known.

I'll then have a one-year old Aqua Lung First Stage with maybe 2 hours of test breathing and buddy bail-outs. Reckon anyone would want it? It has not been serviced, as it's not one of his brands, but he recently tested the rig and approved it for my Pony.

t'anks again!

 

[Petedives]

I dove bottom of the line oceanic regulators, as well as mares titan, and when it was time to buy, the only thing they had in the lds on Kauai was a MK25/S600 combo.

While the Balance BC kinda sucks, it's functional enough for me for now, and I've never once regretted the regulator setup. I haven't had a chance to test it in colder
water much, yet. Just to 63 on the south side of Santa Cruz Island, and that was
quite the cold-shock coming from 79-80 w/ no wetsuit.

Peter

 

[xiSkiGuy]

Holy First Post Resurrection, Batman!

 

[DandyDon]

I dove bottom of the line oceanic regulators, as well as mares titan, and when it was time to buy, the only thing they had in the lds on Kauai was a MK25/S600 combo.

While the Balance BC kinda sucks, it's functional enough for me for now, and I've never once regretted the regulator setup. I haven't had a chance to test it in colder
water much, yet. Just to 63 on the south side of Santa Cruz Island, and that was
quite the cold-shock coming from 79-80 w/ no wetsuit.

Peter

Welcome to SB. How about posting an Intro on that forum so we can welcome you appropriatley...?

I've had my Mk25 to 182 a year ago, and had it in 47 degrees Friday - just not both at the same time yet.

 

[jmps]

I dove bottom of the line oceanic regulators, as well as mares titan, and when it was time to buy, the only thing they had in the lds on Kauai was a MK25/S600 combo.

While the Balance BC kinda sucks, it's functional enough for me for now, and I've never once regretted the regulator setup. I haven't had a chance to test it in colder
water much, yet. Just to 63 on the south side of Santa Cruz Island, and that was
quite the cold-shock coming from 79-80 w/ no wetsuit.

Peter

What don't you like about your Balance?

 

[cerich]

Hi Dandy,

The MK25 is a great performer. That being said I would dive ANY of our (OCEANIC) regs to 200ft, it isn't that deep in regards to really deep. Currently I have PX3/G3's on my Cave and my tech rigs. A couple Delta 4's on stage regs as well...

Best,

Chris

Oh yeah, I'm a NAUI Technical Course Director(I teach the instructors...)

Man, I never come into this forum, as I certainly don't know enough to add anything, but now - even after a Search - I have a question:

In talking with the LDS & Tech I trust to service my Regs {even know his wife and kid, etc.}, I told him I might pursue some Tech courses, i.e. Decom Theory, Advanced Nitrox, and that we might do a 200 foot dive together.

He confirmed my choice in an Instructor, and suggested I upgrade to this First Stage. Says I can use my old Second states, and make the move for about $100 more than just servicing my 3 year old CDX Oceanic. The price is certainly right.

I do want to stick with his brands, as he's the only Tech I know and trust nearby. But would you have anything bad to say about this model to 200 feet?

thanks!

 

[drbill]

Since my previous post two years ago, I've had my Mk10 G250 to a depth of 200 ft (temp 50 F) twice and a number of times in the 180 ft range. Still breathed smoothly as at the surface. Love that reg.

 

[DandyDon]

Hi Dandy,

The MK25 is a great performer. That being said I would dive ANY of our (OCEANIC) regs to 200ft, it isn't that deep in regards to really deep. Currently I have PX3/G3's on my Cave and my tech rigs. A couple Delta 4's on stage regs as well...

Best,

Chris

Oh yeah, I'm a NAUI Technical Course Director(I teach the instructors...)

Hi Chris,
I didn't know you when I first posted this thread, but took the advice of my Tech Inst at the time - Kevin, formerly of Scuba Training Center, Amarillo TX. He overcame his injuries from the plane wreck in 2001 well enough to dive, but not enough to teach fully again and has since left the industry.

Good to hear my 5year old CDX Oceanic reg can be trusted on my Pony at 200 ft. I may yet go someday.

 

[Petedives]

What don't you like about your Balance?

Fit, balance, features, comfort, weight pockets, D-rings. All in all,
I think it's a very mediocre BC. If I could do it all over again, I would
have rather had a Ranger, or something that could double-duty as a
tech rig.

It also has a tendedency to trap air here and there. Of course, running
4 lbs with no wetsuit in Kauai made the bottom-lung breathing a little
more critical with a 3AL 80 at low tank pressure. The Steel LP-85's I
just picked up will mitigate that somewhat. I'll have to post that intro
later, out of time for now.



Peter