Scubapro MK25/S600 VS Sherwood Blizzard

[watermanc17]

Hi, I am fairly new to diving and am in the process of buying all of my equipment. I live in Boston MA and have done the majority of my diving off of Rockport/Gloucester which is about an hour north of Boston. The water has typically been between 50-60 degrees near the surface, I was out a week ago and around 50 feet I got a reading of 39 degrees. I would like to go to some tropical areas and do some diving and I was also considering diving off of the bottom of Argentina and down by Antartica. I only got certified this summer and was also thinking of continuing to dive a few times this winter. Hopefully this is enough background on myself to help with my question.


I am trying to decide which regulator to purchase. A regulator isn't something I want to cheap out on and I want to make sure I get one that is going to perform well in any condition (temp and depth). I have heard great things about the MK25/S600 combo so I was leaning toward that. I have also heard good things about the Blizzard, which is at a lower price point. I am hoping to hear some opinions on which would be best for me and if anyone has had any issues with either one.


Thanks!

 

[ams511]

Between the two the S600 will be the better breather. For cold water performance the nod would go to the Blizzard. The S600/MK25 have been known in the past to have cold water issues. Scubapro upgraded the S600 a year or so back with a metal airbarrel, which may reduce the issues. If you are open for a new choice then I would recommend a G260/MK17 or an Apeks XTX50/DST. A less expensive choice would be a Subgear 1000 that Beaverdivers is selling in the hot deals section. For $400 you are getting a S600/MK17.

 

[bumcikaz]

Get atomics st1 its sealed and breathes as good or better than mk25/s600, got them both

 

[ajduplessis]

I have never had any issues with my 25/600 combo in cold water (below 40). Bad breathing will cause issues with any cold water kit. I do however really like the new g260 and it is fantastic with the MK17.

Ask beaver really nice, I am sure he will make a plan.

 

[buddhasummer]

Get atomics st1 its sealed and breathes as good or better than mk25/s600, got them both

A nice reg for sure but pretty spendy.

 

[joewr]

Hi,

Why do manufacturers do this to us all the time??? I have been using Sherwood regulators since the dawn of time and my favorite is the Oasis. The older Oasis featured side vents and I came to love them due to how much easier it made uw photography. But all the new Sherwoods are front venting. So, I keep getting our four Oases serviced and in good nick.

I like side venting regs and keep an eye out for new ones against the day when one of our four Oases is no longer functional. To that end I have seen these regs: SeaQuest Apeks TX50 and TX100. They seem to be quality products and have the side vent feature. You might consider looking into them.

joewr

 

[elan]

For the conditions you describe I would go with an MK17 instead of MK25. MK25 will be finicky when it comes to diving with freezing surface conditions and will require extra care. Another alternative for me would be an Apeks XTX50.
I was never fond of Sherwoods. They are less expensive and bulletproof breath worse IMHO. SP or Apeks will have a better resale value too.
Aqualung is a great option too. You might want to check them out. They own Apeks and you can likely find them in the same place you find Apeks.

 

[ams511]

Hi,

Why do manufacturers do this to us all the time??? I have been using Sherwood regulators since the dawn of time and my favorite is the Oasis. The older Oasis featured side vents and I came to love them due to how much easier it made uw photography. But all the new Sherwoods are front venting. So, I keep getting our four Oases serviced and in good nick.

I like side venting regs and keep an eye out for new ones against the day when one of our four Oases is no longer functional. To that end I have seen these regs: SeaQuest Apeks TX50 and TX100. They seem to be quality products and have the side vent feature. You might consider looking into them.

joewr

First, what the heck to you mean by side venting? I am familiar with Sherwoods having had Magnums (I & II), Oasis, and a Maximus and have no idea what you are talking about. Years ago I think they sold a re-branded side-exhaust regulator. I forget what it was called. I think the second stage was a Poseidon Jetstream.

Second, the Apeks TX series is old and no longer in production. It was replaced with the ATX series and then with the XTX series. I do have TX and ATX but not the newer XTX but I think the XTX has a swapable exhaust T

 

[buddhasummer]

joewr: Apeks side vent feature? Sorry you've lost me.

Yes, both XTX versions have the option to use either a wide or narrow exhaust. I use the wide exhaust on my primary and narrow on backup. The 50, 100 and 200 usually come with both, the 20 and 40 usually only come with the narrow but you can buy the wide as a separate item.

 

[joewr]

Hi,

The attached photo from the Board files shows me at Truk Lagoon about 10 years ago. I am using my Sherwood Oasis purchased around 2000. If you look closely at the grayish gadget on the left side of my face, you will see the "side vent" through which exhaust air is purged. I do not know when Sherwood stopped manufacturing this model, but my wife and I have two of them + two spares that we take with us lest one fails. So far in the 14 years we have owned and used them, none has failed. However, we do maintain them regularly.

Here is a Sherwood URL that shows this model more closely:

Sherwood Oasis Regulator - Scuba Equipment, Scuba Gear, Scuba Diving Equipment, Dive Gear, Snorkeling Equipment and Wet Suits at Scuba World Wide Sales

Note that it is no longer sold.

This was the second generation of the same reg:

New & Used Scuba Dive Gear - Sherwood Oasis 2 Regulator

Here is the redesigned most recent model:

Sherwood Oasis Regulator for 2013 SRB9710 with reviews at scuba.com

Note the lack of side vents.

I hope this clarifies the issue. I am afraid that old divers such as I have old equipment that may not be familiar to more up-to-date folks.

joewr

First, what the heck to you mean by side venting? I am familiar with Sherwoods having had Magnums (I & II), Oasis, and a Maximus and have no idea what you are talking about. Years ago I think they sold a re-branded side-exhaust regulator. I forget what it was called. I think the second stage was a Poseidon Jetstream.

Second, the Apeks TX series is old and no longer in production. It was replaced with the ATX series and then with the XTX series. I do have TX and ATX but not the newer XTX but I think the XTX has a swapable exhaust T