Used Regulators
- Thread starter uncfnp
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R
redacted
Guest
To me, it is a bit smoother breathing than most barrel poppet designs. It has quite a large exhaust valve and employs more "air" balancing on a rather large diameter intake valve. It is a bit ugly but you will have to sport a D-series a bit before you can move on to a Pilot. There is no turning back now.
halocline
Contributor
They're not that big and yes they do breathe extremely well. The newer ones supposedly have a plastic orifice which is not as good, but I've never seen one of those in person. All my D series regs are D300s, and some buddies have the older model D400 with the metal orifice. These are VERY well engineered 2nd stages.
Awap is right, next you'll go for an air1 then it's on to the pilot. Bought any MK7s yet? He might have a few extra of those...
OP
uncfnp
Solo Diver
That is too perfect. No way I am diving with that thing now! halocline
Contributor
Couv, do you have an original or converted pilot? If its original, I'd be interested but we will have to work out a more fair price than on the D300 you 'sold' me! (more fair to you....)
The air1 is the precursor to the D series; it's the same center balanced valve. I have a few of those lying around I'll never use; I bought them for parts. Before that was the pilot, same basic case geometry in a metal case but a different type of valve. At some point SP started converting the pilot valve to the center balanced spool valve, so you can get more-or-less a D series valve in a metal case.
The MK7 is basically a MK5 with a low-air audible alarm, in a big clunky brass body with a cast-in yoke.
The air1 is the precursor to the D series; it's the same center balanced valve. I have a few of those lying around I'll never use; I bought them for parts. Before that was the pilot, same basic case geometry in a metal case but a different type of valve. At some point SP started converting the pilot valve to the center balanced spool valve, so you can get more-or-less a D series valve in a metal case.
The MK7 is basically a MK5 with a low-air audible alarm, in a big clunky brass body with a cast-in yoke.
Sorry Halo, I have a bastardized Pilot.
Some of the unknowing call the MK 7 "clunky" but don't listen to Halo, he knows the Honker is not only a very high performance first stage, but also serves double duty of a trim weight. He would love to hoard all of the Honkers for himself. Besides, every self-respecting DIY regulator nerd must not bring one of these jewels back to peak air delivery performance, but must also get it to say its name. HONK, HONK....
Some of the unknowing call the MK 7 "clunky" but don't listen to Halo, he knows the Honker is not only a very high performance first stage, but also serves double duty of a trim weight. He would love to hoard all of the Honkers for himself. Besides, every self-respecting DIY regulator nerd must not bring one of these jewels back to peak air delivery performance, but must also get it to say its name. HONK, HONK....
OP
uncfnp
Solo Diver
Spent some time last night looking through the Scubapro Timeline on their web site. That MK 7 is ridiculous. It would be interesting to see the statistics for the number of skull fractures from backrolls and the MK7 but may actually have to get one just so I can say I have a talking regulator.
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I think it was designed in a time when GM was still building two door coupes with doors longer (and heavier) than a Honda Civic and airlines had not yet conceived of a baggage weight limit. And I never liked regulators with built in, cast in, yokes. How much do those weigh? My fully outfitted, long hoses and all, AL Titan Supreme, 4 pounds and 3 ounces. My Kraken, 5 pounds and 3 ounces fully rigged and read to rock and roll.
You neanderthals.
N
R
redacted
Guest
Mk7/D-300/109/SPG comes in around 6.5 pounds. I had to get one after I heard the owner of the oldest dive shop in TX talk about diving one about 12 years ago. I was having some trim problems with heavy feet and that cured it. (But you do have to be careful not to become a sand dart.) I used to travel with it often, as a conversation piece. With new weight restrictions I rarely travel with one any more. I do use it for local diving in Aquareana Springs where pulling weeds may take vis to zero. Mine honks at about 400 psi.
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