Time to upgrade, or not ...?

[TLada]

I've been out of diving for a few years and am about to jump back in. I'm considering getting some new gear, what your opinions? I currently have ScubaPro MK20 D400's and MK20 G250's, as well as R190's. I use plural because I have about 4 of each. I am a former instructor, up to Trimix. I dont think I'll be doing much Mix diving, but 180 ft is not out of the question.
The question is - what's new on the market and better than what I've got? Trade in or overhaul the existing stuff? I dont mind spending the bucks cause I like to have good gear.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[DA Aquamaster]

Both the Mk 20 D400 and Mk 20 G250 are hard to beat by any standard. Scubapro's newer S600 second stage is internally the same as a G250. The S600 is smaller but the G250 by most accounts is a better second stage.

The Mk 25 is just a Mk 20 with an external intermediate pressure adjustment. The latest and greatest Mk 25's have a finned swivel cap for better heat transfer, but improvement is miniscule. An early Mk 20 with a SPEC kit is a far better cold water reg anyway.

Depending on when your Mk 20's were made, you may benefit from upgrading the piston to the newer composite piston.

Similarly, an older G250 may or may not have the current S-wing poppet but that will be upgraded automatically when the annual service is completed.

The older D400's with the metal orifice are superperb regulators. The later ones with the plastic orifice are still great regs but are harder to tune for the same maximum performance that you can get from the older D400's.

In short, I would not trade what you have for anything and would go the overhaul/upgrade route.

 

[TLada]

Aquamaster,

Thanks for your swift reply! It's kind of what I expected and probably good advice. I've had that MK20 D400 down to 325 on the Wilkes Barre off Florida, and it breathed perfect! I've just been out of the sport for the last 3 years and wondered if there was any new revolutions in gear.
Thanks,.
Terry

 

[aue-mike]

I've had that MK20 D400 down to 325 on the Wilkes Barre off Florida, and it breathed perfect!

Interesting. Especially considering the maximum depth on the WILKES-BARRE is 254fsw.

 

[boomx5]

Interesting. Especially considering the maximum depth on the WILKES-BARRE is 254fsw.

It must have been on air Mike.

 

[TLada]

The USS Wilkes-Barre Wreck
http://www.personalscubainstruction.com/DiveSites/Keys/WilkesBarre.html

A spectacular but extremely deep wreck dive is found offshore of the Shoals in 320 feet of water. The U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre" is a 610 foot WWII Cleveland Class Light Cruiser offering an astounding 180 feet of relief to the top of the smoke stack. As the main deck lies at a depth of 210 feet, this dive requires lengthy decompression and should not be attempted without proper certification, and then only under the supervision of qualified guides.


Yea, mike / boom - - lemme guess, you guys are open water divers?

 

[aue-mike]

The USS Wilkes-Barre Wreck
http://www.personalscubainstruction.com/DiveSites/Keys/WilkesBarre.html

A spectacular but extremely deep wreck dive is found offshore of the Shoals in 320 feet of water. The U.S.S. Wilkes-Barre" is a 610 foot WWII Cleveland Class Light Cruiser offering an astounding 180 feet of relief to the top of the smoke stack. As the main deck lies at a depth of 210 feet, this dive requires lengthy decompression and should not be attempted without proper certification, and then only under the supervision of qualified guides.

Yea, mike / boom - - lemme guess, you guys are open water divers?

Again, the WILKES is not in 320fsw, and if you REALLY dove her, you would know that. Think about it, if the main deck is at 210fsw, don't you think it odd that the bottom is 110fsw below???? If you want more accurate information, try this:

http://uwex.us/wilkes.html

Want some video (a small clip amongst many other wrecks) of the WILKES? Try this:

http://uwex.us/ultrapreview.wmv

For more information on the WILKES, you can always read my book (see signature).

As far as the open water diver, yes, I tend to dive in very open water. I have also been on the WILKES, DORIA, MONITOR, etc. Unlike you, it would appear I know the actual depth these wrecks rest in.

 

[boomx5]

Yea, mike / boom - - lemme guess, you guys are open water divers?

but I do read the internet a lot and I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

 

[scubadiverjunkie]

Again, the WILKES is not in 320fsw, and if you REALLY dove her, you would know that. Think about it, if the main deck is at 210fsw, don't you think it odd that the bottom is 110fsw below???? If you want more accurate information, try this:

http://uwex.us/wilkes.html

Want some video (a small clip amongst many other wrecks) of the WILKES? Try this:

http://uwex.us/ultrapreview.wmv

For more information on the WILKES, you can always read my book (see signature).

As far as the open water diver, yes, I tend to dive in very open water. I have also been on the WILKES, DORIA, MONITOR, etc. Unlike you, it would appear I know the actual depth these wrecks rest in.

Doria - Very impressive. I just never found myself interested in the Tech part of diving, but it is impressive to me of the ones that are. What is it actually like down at the Doria....

 

[scubadiverjunkie]

but I do read the internet a lot and I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once.

Dude that made me choke.......Too funny.