Stage & Deco Bottles Regulator

[DomRep Diving]

I'm going to buy a regulator (maybe more than one soon) for my Stage and/or Deco Bottles... For now, I'm thinking about buying the MK2+/R190 because I've heard they are a real workhorse and because of the price. I now a lot of people in this board like apeks, I also like them, but the price difference is more than 100 bucks, so I guess for the small difference in performance it wouln't be the best investment.
Should I go with the MK2+/R190 combo, or pay about 60 more to get the Mk16 or Mk18 with the R190?
Since I don't live in the US, LDS is not an option, I can't get these regs in my country, so I will be buying them from DiveInn.
I want a nice working regulator, It doesn't has to be the best performing reg around, but I want a good reg overall. I will be using it with nitrox, and sometimes air... Any suggestions?

 

[MechDiver]

I use the Mk2+/R190 and see no reason to buy anything more expensive for deco cylinders. I don't use stages, so would have to evaluate their purpose before deciding on what reg I would use with one.

MD

 

[MikeFerrara]

I've never used the regs you mention but I spend as much or more time on my deco regs than I do bottom gas so I want good regs. One could also argue that reliability of a deco reg is even more important.

 

[Amphibious]

What are you using for Backgas? I try to keep all my regs the same. when service time comes it's much easier to get parts if you're only placing one order from one company.

In my case - all Apeks DS4/US4

Willer

 

[DomRep Diving]

Amphibious:
In my case, that is not the main problem... Getting them serviced in my country is pretty hard... So instead of a complete service once a year, I change the parts that need to be changed when they need to be changed... usually, in about 6 months, but some, last at least 2 years... it depends...
I know this is not the best-case scenario, but it is the only way of diving around here... I have about 6 years diving like that, and we are used to it.... I just want something comfortable, and that I know will not fail, but don't want to pay for something top of the line, if I can go with something less expensive and that does the job FINE...
Btw... for backgas I'm using Mares Mr22's with Abyss second stage, it was a nice price I got them for. Planning on changing them for Apeks ATX100 or ATX200 in the somewhat near future, but Apeks for deco, seems kind of not the best bang for the buck... more than a 100 bucks more than the Scubapro... but If it's the only way to go... I don't mind...
Recommendations?

 

[Amphibious]

Service timing put aside for the moment, my point was that finding parts could be easier for you if they were all the same parts. I had the same problem when I was in Saudi Arabia, finding equipment was a pain.

if you're going from DiveInn take a look at the US4, good deal and great reg. you don't have to deal with cold water, so the MK2 should be fine. I dive the BC Coast and inland lakes/rivers = COLD COLD COLD. I'm very wary of cheaper regs because of this, expecially pistons.

If you're just diving warm water, eg. Dominica, the MK2 - R190 should do a great job.

Willer

 

[dtdiver]

my lds says the mk2 cannot be made o2 clean

i understand the o2 compatible parts are not available

maybe they want me to buy another s600
(a great regulator btw!)
but i doubt it very much

dt

 

[MechDiver]

dtdiver once bubbled...
my lds says the mk2 cannot be made o2 clean

i understand the o2 compatible parts are not available

maybe they want me to buy another s600
(a great regulator btw!)
but i doubt it very much

dt

80% Hasn't seemed to bother my Mk2+. The second stage never sees high pressure and is immaterial.

MD

 

[Doppler]

I use ScubaPros throughout (deco and backgas) and have a Mk2 coupled with one of my R190s. Have used it extensively for more than 8 years in varied water conditions and it's a fine combo. I have a couple of MK 16s as well for deco (one wiht R190 one with G250) and they work great too. Someone already mentioned that your shallow deco reg spends more time in your mouth than anything else, which is a valid point, but I find the R190 is light enough to prevent jaw fatique. As for reliability, it's a ScubaPro and as with regs from just about any of the high end manufacturers, will give excellent reliability on deco.

For the record, I use MK25 R600 combos for backgas.=-)

 

[dtdiver]

MechDiver once bubbled...


80% Hasn't seemed to bother my Mk2+. The second stage never sees high pressure and is immaterial.

MD

sorry md

i meant to imply buying a mk25/s600 combo, not just the s600

despite your experience, why do the manufacturers, dive shops, and padi (and i would assume all the other dive organizations) make a big deal about o2 compatible equipment??

i thought o2 > 40% needed viton rings as well as different metals to avoid degredation from the o2? i know the explosion hazard is on filling the tank so that's not the issue here.

can you enlighten me on this issue?

thanks
dt