Scubapro Question....
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CheeseWhiz
Contributor
What happened to the first 62 std's? And I hope "std" doesn't stand for what it could stand for, worst case.
Anyhow, I've used the Scubabro Mk20/S600 combo for about a year with no problems. It's been in 72F water in the Caribbean and 33F water in the swamps of Indiana and has performed without complaint. I've never over-breathed it and it's never hiccupped on me.
There was a minor problem about 6 months ago, where it sounded like I had asthma everytime I inhaled. The equipment tech said it was "harmonic resonance" and fiddled with a spring deep in the bowels of the 2nd stage; the problem went away.
I'm not sure what the improvements of S25 are, but I wouldn't have any issue purchasing it. Fine piece of equipment.
Oh...I did discover it doesn't breathe very well at all unless the tank valve is turned on! Darn...you think that would've been in the instructions.
Good luck.
Anyhow, I've used the Scubabro Mk20/S600 combo for about a year with no problems. It's been in 72F water in the Caribbean and 33F water in the swamps of Indiana and has performed without complaint. I've never over-breathed it and it's never hiccupped on me.
There was a minor problem about 6 months ago, where it sounded like I had asthma everytime I inhaled. The equipment tech said it was "harmonic resonance" and fiddled with a spring deep in the bowels of the 2nd stage; the problem went away.
I'm not sure what the improvements of S25 are, but I wouldn't have any issue purchasing it. Fine piece of equipment.
Oh...I did discover it doesn't breathe very well at all unless the tank valve is turned on! Darn...you think that would've been in the instructions.
Good luck.
Not familiar with the Mk25 and just checked out on their web site and have to say I can't spot the difference between that and the Mk20....
Having said that I use the Mk20/S600 and think it's a great combo - in fact I need to get it de-tuned because it gives me too much air and have never had to use it on anything but the min setting even on deep excusrsions.
I take it you are looking at the standard option and not the titanium one - I guess Titanium is lighter but I don't know if by enough to justify the price they quote on their web site. Surely $1500 is a typo?
Jonathan
Having said that I use the Mk20/S600 and think it's a great combo - in fact I need to get it de-tuned because it gives me too much air and have never had to use it on anything but the min setting even on deep excusrsions.
I take it you are looking at the standard option and not the titanium one - I guess Titanium is lighter but I don't know if by enough to justify the price they quote on their web site. Surely $1500 is a typo?
Jonathan
CheeseWhiz
Contributor
My local LDS says the Mk25 has an adjustable intermediate pressure setting (yawn!). According to him, it's mostly a marketing feature, as several competitors offer the same feature, but only a very small percentage of divers are even aware of the (theoretical) need to adjust this pressure setting.
There is apparently a retrofit kit for the Mk20 to give it this same adjustability.
It's been a while since I looked at the titanium regulators, but I'm not real sure any of the critical working parts are any different between titanium and non-titanium. $1000 is a lot of money just to have a cool looking reg.
There is apparently a retrofit kit for the Mk20 to give it this same adjustability.
It's been a while since I looked at the titanium regulators, but I'm not real sure any of the critical working parts are any different between titanium and non-titanium. $1000 is a lot of money just to have a cool looking reg.
scuba_adventurer
Guest
SCUBAPRO's head regulator technician tells me that:
The new adjustable IP is much easier to adjust because it uses only an allen wrench while the competitors require breaking down the reg. They did it as a service feature to eliminate the guesswork of adding or subtracting shims behind the spring to change IP. It makes servicing easier, but is not a feature that most divers will use.
He also said that nearly all of the internal components are made of machined titanium. This was done to give them the leg up over their hated rivals Atomic, who only use a titanium case. The Genesis OZ tit. is rumored to be nothing more than a titanium ring on the first stage, but I am not familiar with them.
I have one, and it does not breathe any better than my Mk20 Ul/S600. In fact the Ultralight is lighter, but Titanium looks so damn cool.
The new adjustable IP is much easier to adjust because it uses only an allen wrench while the competitors require breaking down the reg. They did it as a service feature to eliminate the guesswork of adding or subtracting shims behind the spring to change IP. It makes servicing easier, but is not a feature that most divers will use.
He also said that nearly all of the internal components are made of machined titanium. This was done to give them the leg up over their hated rivals Atomic, who only use a titanium case. The Genesis OZ tit. is rumored to be nothing more than a titanium ring on the first stage, but I am not familiar with them.
I have one, and it does not breathe any better than my Mk20 Ul/S600. In fact the Ultralight is lighter, but Titanium looks so damn cool.
scubabunny
Guest
I finally got the chance to see a MK25/S600 titanium today with my own two eyes (Scubapro rep brought it over to Guam). It is a sweet looking reg. According to him, ALL the parts (except for the piston) are pure titanium in the first stage, and the second stage has titanium trimmed face plate, and titanium demand lever. Now...I could have gotten the names wrong (NOT a repair tech) but thats what I think he said. Oh...it also comes with a new "softer and more flexible" hose, an allen (?) wrench, and a cool little padded bag.
Now, does this make it worth hundreds more than the non-titanium reg? In my opinion...no. (hope the rep isn't reading this!!) As long as you take care of your gear, any brass reg should last through your diving career (or at least until the new toys come out!!)
One good thing. The MK25 is replacing the MK20, so the price is still the same. Once the warehouses run out of MK20s they automatically start shipping the MK25 for the same cost. Don't know if this is going to last...so if you want the "newest" for the same price, I would get it now!
However, we were warned to tell customers NOT to touch the external adjustment. That was put in for the conviencence of servicing by the repair techs...and not for the average diver. It makes adjustments easier and quicker.
But whether you get the MK20 or the MK25, I don't think you could go wrong. I've used the MK20 (but Santa brought me a MK16/S550...which I also love!) and it is basically bullet-proof!
But....please don't test THAT theory...isn't covered under the warranty!
Now, does this make it worth hundreds more than the non-titanium reg? In my opinion...no. (hope the rep isn't reading this!!) As long as you take care of your gear, any brass reg should last through your diving career (or at least until the new toys come out!!)
One good thing. The MK25 is replacing the MK20, so the price is still the same. Once the warehouses run out of MK20s they automatically start shipping the MK25 for the same cost. Don't know if this is going to last...so if you want the "newest" for the same price, I would get it now!
However, we were warned to tell customers NOT to touch the external adjustment. That was put in for the conviencence of servicing by the repair techs...and not for the average diver. It makes adjustments easier and quicker.
But whether you get the MK20 or the MK25, I don't think you could go wrong. I've used the MK20 (but Santa brought me a MK16/S550...which I also love!) and it is basically bullet-proof!
But....please don't test THAT theory...isn't covered under the warranty!
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