Thoughts on a Scubapro Mk10 G250hp for a....

[TXDude]

first time regulator. I'm finally looking to take the plunge and purchase my own equipment. However, I'm looking for something that is easy on the budget and is bullet proof. My dives are mostly all throughout Latin America and I can't see myself EVER wanting to dive in a cold muddy lake. That just doesn't seem attractive at all.

Will this regulator be easy to maintain? I want to make a smart purchase and not have to think about buying another regulator for 10+ years. I'd like to stay with the big name regulators because they will be the easiest to service when I'm diving South of the border. My gut tells me to go with all Mares equipment. It's hard to find a dive shop that doesn't use Mares equipment down South (atleast my experience). However, from what my neighbor tells me, Scubapro MK10 is about as good as it gets, he seems to think that all Scubapro 2nd stage regulators seem to be a cousin of the G250hp.

Thoughts?

 

[I Dive]

Easy to maintain? Here is all of the crap I have had to go through to maintain my ScubaPro regulator..

A) Thoroughly rinse at the end of every diving day
B) Store when dry
C) Visually inspect before each use, never with any issues noted
D) Drop off for maintenance once each year

Talk about a pain in the ass to maintain!

 

[TXDude]

How much should I expect to spend for a yearly check up?

 

[I Dive]

I put my BC, computer, and reg in all at the same time and get out for less than $100

 

[halocline]

How much should I expect to spend for a yearly check up?

It depends on where you are, but in all honesty if you're buying a MK10/G250hp, once you get it rebuilt WELL, it will last more than one year between rebuilds assuming you rinse it well and generally take care of it. I would expect one LDS charges close to $150 for a rebuild of one 1st stage and two 2nds here in San Antonio; $20-25 for each kit and probably $30 labor/stage. Of course there are other ways of getting it taken care of. You could send your reg to a real SP expert like DA Aquamaster on this forum.

Actually in Cozumel and Roatan mares regs are easier to get serviced because there are mares distributors right there. I'm not trying to steer you away from a MK10, I own a few of them and they're great regs. It's really unlikely you'll need parts while on vacation, but I spent a summer on Roatan and rebuilt several of my friends' SP regs. I had no problem finding parts.

The G250hp is a fine reg but not my favorite SP 2nd stage. If you already have one picked out, fine, but if you're still looking you might consider the older G250 or even the 109 metal case 2nd stage. Either way it's extremely unlikely you'll ever want for a better performing reg.

 

[jgheaton]

I have a Scubapro G250 / MK 10 Ultralight and Air2. I bought this in 1997 and still dive the the setup. I love my regulator and first stage.

Here is my issue. I bought this equipment in South Africa when I lived there. Now that I live in the States my regular year services are very very very expensive. This last year it was $ 480 for a service and to replace a single component.

My wife has the MK 25 and S 600. She also loves here equipment. We bought this in the States and the services are around $ 75 per year. We forgot to service it one year as we did not dive. Bad idea as the warranty lapses and now we have to pay for parts and labor.

I love Scubapro equipment, but the way the warranties work and the way the dive shops take advantage of them leaves something to be desired.

If you live in one place and will get it serviced every year then no worries, else check it before you fall into the same trap I did.

Cheers John

 

[drbill]

I have several Mk10/G250s and dive them almost exclusively. Even with all the "abuse" I give them, they are bullet proof. I generally don't have them serviced every year and have waited up to 3 years to do so (not something I recommend, but...).

 

[Couv]

I have a Scubapro G250 / MK 10 Ultralight and Air2. I bought this in 1997 and still dive the the setup. I love my regulator and first stage.

Here is my issue. I bought this equipment in South Africa when I lived there. Now that I live in the States my regular year services are very very very expensive. This last year it was $ 480 for a service and to replace a single component.

My wife has the MK 25 and S 600. She also loves here equipment. We bought this in the States and the services are around $ 75 per year. We forgot to service it one year as we did not dive. Bad idea as the warranty lapses and now we have to pay for parts and labor.

I love Scubapro equipment, but the way the warranties work and the way the dive shops take advantage of them leaves something to be desired.

If you live in one place and will get it serviced every year then no worries, else check it before you fall into the same trap I did.

Cheers John

Hello John,

If you are determined to keep the useless and expensive warranty intact, you must follow the manufactures suggested service interval. However, whether or not you want to keep the useless and expensive warranty intact, learning to check your equipment is very important and will help YOU determine if your equipment needs servicing. See this link for a set of checks everyone is capable of, and should be doing: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/regulators/260452-regulator-checklist-inspection.html

If you can not get access to an Intermediate pressure gauge before your trip, don't fret too much. If the IP is too high, the second stage will free flow a short period after pressurizing. If the IP is too low, you will notice a reduction in performance. Having said that, everyone should have an IP gauge to help monitor the condition of the first stage.

Now about your expired warranty, you might want to check with DA Aquamaster here on Scuba Board about the warranty policy. If I remember correctly, if you pay for the parts and service after a lapse, it should reinstate the warranty.

Good luck,

Couv

 

[Couv]

first time regulator. I'm finally looking to take the plunge and purchase my own equipment. However, I'm looking for something that is easy on the budget and is bullet proof. My dives are mostly all throughout Latin America and I can't see myself EVER wanting to dive in a cold muddy lake. That just doesn't seem attractive at all.

Will this regulator be easy to maintain? I want to make a smart purchase and not have to think about buying another regulator for 10+ years. I'd like to stay with the big name regulators because they will be the easiest to service when I'm diving South of the border. My gut tells me to go with all Mares equipment. It's hard to find a dive shop that doesn't use Mares equipment down South (atleast my experience). However, from what my neighbor tells me, Scubapro MK10 is about as good as it gets, he seems to think that all Scubapro 2nd stage regulators seem to be a cousin of the G250hp.

Thoughts?

Hello TXDude,

I have several MK10s and find them very dependable and easy to service. The G250 is also easy to service and very solid (don't get the G250 HP). However, you should also consider the G250's predecessor, the Balanced Adjustable aka the 156, or the predecessor to that, the 109. Here is a link to the Scuba Pro Museum http://www.scubaproregulatormuseum.org/ where you can have a gander at what they look like and read a little about them.

If you are not into DIY you might want to contact DA Aquamaster and see if he has a rebuilt for sale.

Couv

 

[jgheaton]

Couv

Thanks for the info. Will take a look.

Cheers John