Scubapro s600/mk25 diving in Minnesota?

[Vampyre]

Ive only ever dived in FL and TX. I moved to MN a few years ago and have never dived up here but plan to this season. I had my 1st and 2nd stage fully serviced last year so there good to go.

While shopping around today for thicker exposure equipment (my 3mm stuff wont cut it up here) it was mentioned by all 3 stores that I visited that my s600 will have issues on the colder dives especially lake superior wreck diving. But my mk25 should be fine. The scuba pro store I stopped by recommended the a700 or the 250v.

First off I would like to confirm with the members of this board that my s600 wont cut it in the colder dives up here in MN. The last thing I want is my s600 to freeze up and cut a dive short. 2nd I LOVE my s600. It breaths so easy its like breathing normally out of your mouth. Which reg between the 2 mentioned will be closest to the s600 in ease of breathing?

Thank you for reading! Im looking forward to getting back into the sport after my absents!

 

[fire_diver]

I have never heard of the S600 having problems in cold water. In fact the only part of the regulator setup I have ever heard causing problems is the first stage freezing due to the adiabatic cooling process. I think you will be just fine. I have dove my S550s (which are identical to 600s w/o the user control knob) into 38 degree water without problems.

 

[Bappelt]

If you do some searches on the forum you'll find some who had issues with the combo of mk25/s600 freezing up. For cold water, most recommend the mk17/G250v. There are folks on both sides of the discussion. Just do a search for more info.

 

[Hank658]

The Mk25, being a not-environmentally sealed first stage can be more prone to a freeflow than a sealed design like a Mk17. Many use the 25 in water around the 40 degree mark without incident, so I leave the freeflow issue as a 'can', not a 'will'. Your S600 should be fine with either a 25 or a 17. A Mk17 is designed to withstand adverse conditions like sediment laden or cold water.
If you were thinking about a new rig for colder conditions a Mk17/G250V would be a hard combo to beat.
If not, your 600 should do the job. The 25 should also be fine- if you are really concerned then a Mk17 would be the choice.

YMMV

Hope this helps,

Hank

 

[a22shady]

As others Have stated, The MK25 would be the 1st cause of freeze up unless you put the enviro seal kit on it. I have heard of the S600's freezing before the 1st stage. If your diving the colder great Lakes I would recomend you get a tried a true cold water reg. I dive here in Northeast where the waters are not warm. I use the MK17/G250V which is an awesom Reg.

Great breathing and for cold waters. I also Use the Atomic M1's which are enviro sealed and are about equal IMO. If I was to choose one for a very cold dive I would personally feel more comfortable with MK17/G250V since it is a true sealed 1st Stage. Although I have had both regs in waters about 38F with no issue's and they performed very well. So in My opinon out of your choices I think the MK17/G250V is the way to go you will be very happy with the Reg. My G/F has a set of S600's and MK17/G250V and has swithced back and fourth and say's they are extremly close on breathing and at different depths when she has switched to try to decide which one she wants ot goes back and fourth. As for now she has G250V as her primary and S600 as her back-up hooked to the MK17

 

[tstormdiver]

I have well over 200 dives with an MK25/S600 in 38- 42 degree water. I have only had 1 freeze up & free flow & swam it to the surface. I usually dial the adjustment knob back about 1/2 way. There must be some respect of colder waters, but I've not had much problems.

 

[mpgunner]

Has done great for me down to 40 degrees. They are trying to up sell you.

 

[Jorgy]

My SP MK25/S550 is a great reg that my wife now dives in warm water.....

I had too many free flows (5) to trust it below 42 degrees.......

I my not have the best technique but my Poseidon Exstream's have NEVER free flowed down to 34 degrees......

Look for posts by DAAquamaster......a SP guru.......he suggests the MK17/GV250 for cold water diving......

Hope this helps......M

 

[halocline]

As others Have stated, The MK25 would be the 1st cause of freeze up unless you put the enviro seal kit on it.

There is no environmental kit for the MK25 that I know of. The reg is sold with the TIS system, which is basically a couple of bushings and a coating on the spring to discourage icing.

Most of the posts on this thread echo what I've read many times about freezing and the MK25/S600. The G250V and A700 will have better heat transfer due to the metal components, and therefore be more freeze resistant.

None of this probably matters unless you have a drysuit, because without one, I doubt you'll be spending much time in water cold enough to freeze your reg. At least I hope not, for your sake! So get the exposure suit taken care of first, and then buying a new reg (maybe just 2nd stage) will seem like peanuts. BTW, if you want a really freeze resistant 2nd stage, go for the all metal 109 and convert it to balanced/adjustable.