Scubapro mk25/s600 or Apeks XTX100??

[mart1]

The XTX200 is what I use. Only 100 bucks more than the MK-25 and I'll never have it freeze on me, ever.

Not very much cold water experience, do you???

I can show you any first stage will freeze.

 

[scubadobadoo]

Not very much cold water experience, do you???

I can show you any first stage will freeze.

Scubakimmie has quickly become famous for her barbed, one sentence responses.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

You don't have a Scubapro Bias do you?

A bias based on 20 plus years of experience with SP regs.

But the point was why would someone pay $100 more for an Apeks ATX200 than you would for a MK 25 when you could spend less than a Mk 25 on a Mk 17 and get at least the same level of performance and freeze resistance that you would get with the Apeks?

And actually I am bashing Scubapro as much as or more than Apeks when I point out that while the Mk 25 is still marketed by SP as their top of the line first stage, it is arguably no longer their best first stage design, particularly for a cold water diver.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Not very much cold water experience, do you???

I can show you any first stage will freeze.

She's not saying it cannot be frozen, she is just saying "I'll never have it freeze on me. Ever.". With good cold water technique, good maintenence and avoidance of activities well outside the range of normal diving, that's arguably a true statement.

I suspect neither Kimmie nor I would ever make that statement about the Mk 25 and that was the point.

 

[ScubaKimmie]

Scubakimmie has quickly become famous for her barbed, one sentence responses.

I have had the Mk-25 freeze on me in 49 degree water, twice and it was properly tuned. The XTX-200 has dove in sub 40 degree water many times withoutever freezing.

Then again I keep it tuned correctly. I don't allow it to free flow.

The MK-25 froze during a dive, while in my mouth and there wasn't much that could be done with it except retire it and give it to someone who only dives warm.

Sorry for having opinions boys, sorry for not detailing exactly why I have opinions. Sorry you can't comment on anything I have to say scubadobadoo unless you leave a

barbed one sentence reponse

 

[PhotoTJ]

...Also, the newer Atomics I have seen have some kind of funky "swivel" thing at the second stage hose fitting, which could be a problem as far as attaching non-Atomic hoses. Older Atomics don't have this "feature" and I don't really understand why they changed the design, but that's what they're doing now....

It's a comfort thing for the rec diver, the swivel allows the hose to move, without feeling like you are a horse with a bit in your mouth. That's the theory, anyway.

 

[Dan Gibson]

Is it removable? I haven't looked at the newer Atomics at the store lately.

It's a comfort thing for the rec diver, the swivel allows the hose to move, without feeling like you are a horse with a bit in your mouth. That's the theory, anyway.

 

[Hoosier]

I am using MK25AF/S600 and ATX100 in the cold water (39~42F). I have to admit that MK25 is more apt to be freeflow in the cold water. Actually, it has been happend with MK25 in 39F water once, but I don't have any freeflow experience with ATX100.

Based on my experience, ATX100 is a little bit easier to breath in any condition. The difference is very minimal, so I am not sure it is worth $100 difference in the price.

As for the hose routing, MK25 is the best thanks to the LP port at the bottom.

 

[anth]

I have had the Mk-25 freeze on me in 49 degree water, twice and it was properly tuned. The XTX-200 has dove in sub 40 degree water many times withoutever freezing.

Then again I keep it tuned correctly. I don't allow it to free flow.

The MK-25 froze during a dive, while in my mouth and there wasn't much that could be done with it except retire it and give it to someone who only dives warm.

Sorry for having opinions boys, sorry for not detailing exactly why I have opinions. Sorry you can't comment on anything I have to say scubadobadoo unless you leave a

barbed one sentence reponse

Our of curiousity, what was the air temp that day? Was the reg pre-breathed on the surface?

 

[cerich]

Our of curiousity, what was the air temp that day? Was the reg pre-breathed on the surface?

she is a pretty experienced instructor, i would be surprised if she pre breathed the regs...