What reg's for uk cold water diving?

[Nile]

hi all, im currently looking to assemble my first ''proper'' set of kit. Just completed my DM course abroad and now that am back in the UK want my own stuff. Obviously with it being the UK we're blessed with lovely cold water and so im looking for a set that will handle any conditions and not free flow on me. I've spent a million hours reading all the manufacturers spiel on tech info and bla bla bla on how its best at this that and the other, but i trust you lot a lot more from what iv read so far to be honest. My budgets not huge, but then again if they're worth saving for i'll buy anything!

current thoughts are;
mares abyss 22's
scubapro MK17 with either s600, g250 (which model of these is best?) or a700 (though a bit flash in chrome!) - heard the 17 is much better than the mk25?
apeks (but which ones!?!?) they all seem pretty much the same top end


Just want some more experienced divers opinions

many thanks
Nile

 

[Fishpie]

Apeks ..... as you said they're very similar in terms of performance (identical 2nd stages). Get one that routes your particular hose set the best.

 

[knowone]

If Apeks you don't need to go further pay more than DST's with 50's seconds, both seconds the same.
Or you could go for a drive and get some Beuchat VX 10 Icebergs.
I have used them both down deep but only down to about 6 deg C.

Is Apeks OWNED by Air Liquide or are they just doing business together.

 

[horsediver1]

Opinion only based on personal experience- Subapro MK17 / G250V combo use for ice diving. I live in area where 9 months of year are 45 degrees or less at depth, Never had a problem with combo.

 

[knowone]

The chrome Scubapro uses is expensive but at least the plastic is cheap.

 

[Nile]

any more ideas people? or views on my choices? lots of views not so many comments

 

[lowviz]

any more ideas people? or views on my choices? lots of views not so many comments

Not so many comments is right! Especially this time of year when Northern hemisphere divers are coming to the end of the best part of the dive season. We tend to get crabby and provoke internet "dust-ups" to take the place of our regular nitrogen fixes. I'm thinking that knowone scared everyone off.:shocked2:

I dive MK17's and G250V's. Anything else is crap. (Truth of the matter is that any top-end sealed cold water reg will work just fine for the serious cold water diver because to us, a free-flow is just an impending nuisance. A whole lot like knowone... )


I'm calling the season opener, let 'er rip.

(G250V much better than S600, own both.)

 

[DevonDiver]

+1 Apeks.

Specific model chosen would depend on your desired configuration and budget.

Very popular throughout the UK and easy to get service/spares.

 

[lowviz]

+1 Apeks.

Specific model chosen would depend on your desired configuration and budget.

Very popular throughout the UK and easy to get service/spares.

You could have offered your mate a link...

Apeks are known for great regulators

 

[axyto]

You cant go wrong with Scubapro MK17 & g250v or an Apeks DS4 and xtx 50. both are great for cold water diving, but im leaning towards the S..