Think I made a poor decision.

[RickPeck]

I put a Mk25/G250v on layaway at my LDS, it was an impulse buy. I came back and did the research AFTER the transaction. My bad. I live in upstate NY and don't do any ice diving, but if I get under the thermocline the temps drop into the 40's.
While I didn't pay full retail the reg was fairly pricey.

Is this going to be a problem?

 

[BlueWaterDiving]

No you should not have any problems. So go out dive that new HOT ROD.

 

[iceaxe]

If I'm not mistaken that is SP's top of the line first stage and and one of their better (if not best) second stages. What's the problem? Am I missing something? Sounds like you got a good deal on a great reg.

 

[RickPeck]

I'm worried about it freezing.

I also like the idea of a sealed first stage and followed the advice of the LDS owner to buy the MK25 rather than the MK17. The other sales person there said he prefered the MK25 too. I believe they were truely giving me there best opinion and advice. Good people, and I respect there advice. I just have doubts....

 

[tundraotto]

unless I am mistaken the US Navy has the MK25 certified to 37 or 38°F....thats pretty freaking cold....

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

I had the mk25 freeze up on me in 42 degrees with deco. I only use it for backup now and stick with all mk17's (I own 5). I wouldn't use a mk25 ever again in cold water.

 

[Rick Inman]

I don't own a 25, but locally, I have seen several free flow in cold (below 42 degree) water.

I have a 17 on a deco bottle and have never had a problem with it.

The owner of the local LDS who sells the mk25's told me I'm crazy about them free flowing, but I have seen it for myself.

I don't own one, though, so I can only report what I have seen.

 

[Kingpatzer]

In MN here, the consensus around here is that the 25s are a warm water reg and local divers should use the 17s. That said, there are a few folks who dive the 25s.

 

[TSandM]

Maybe I've been lucky, but I've been diving two MK25s for about a year and a half, in water down to 42 degrees, with no problems. They are really sweet breathing regulators.

 

[crlavoie]

My brother has 2 of them and he has had them down to 38 degrees a couple of times and we regularly dive in the low 40's... in fact, most of the time we're between 40 - 45 degrees and he's never had a problem.

In addition, one of our buddies also has an MK25 / G250 and he's never had an issue either.

Not that it matters a whole lot, but do you have the little metal heat sink on the second stage? It's supposed to help a bit but I'm not sure I completely believe it.