what would you do? Mk25 or HOG

[Fishpie]

I'm a big fan of HOG regs.
But if you don't plan on servicing your own regs why not keep it simple and use what you have.
Your original reasons for getting Scubapros still hold true. Their world wide support and dealership is never going to be beaten by HOG.
I don't see cold water being a factor to switch until it gets below the low 40's.

 

[elan]

Have you never seen an Apeks DS4/FSR/Tec3, or a Hog D2 1st stage mounted on doubles. They most certainly do not protrude or interfere with access to the tank valve knobs.

The DIN connector is located at the end of the body on each one.

HOG service kits are readily available. Anyone who can service an Apeks reg, can service a HOG reg.

Kern,
You are correct about DS4/TEK 3/FST/FSR, but those do not give you as nice routing as does MK25, TEK3 IMHO better than the others but it's not related to the OP.
What I was referring to us using HOG/DST in a 5 port configuration which gives you the same clean routing.
So I would not even consider getting the HOG for any config other than 5th port in the case of the OP.

And as you look at the pic in the link you will see what I mean. The LP side (the one with the diafragm) protrudes.

HOG/DST
http://www.diverightinscuba.com/userfiles/image/dubs3.jpg

MK20/MK25
http://azchipka.thechipkahouse.com/files/2012/02/MK20-UL.jpg

How annoying it can be depends upon what kind of gloves you are wearing. If you have rings installed it can be really uncomfortable, if you use wet gloves/zip seals it might not interfere with your hands.

As for the parts, that's true they are available but the rebuild manual is not available so there are no torque specs can be found easily anywhere on the net. May be it has changed recently I donno but half a year I did a research it was not available. Some techs will refuse doing the service w/o the spec, just for liability reasons. So unless you are servicing them yourself it can be an issue.

 

[Kunundrum]

A vote for the HOGs here. You couldn't talk me into using an unsealed 1st like the Mk25... Especially in our local silty salt water. No question about it.

The HOG is a "clone" because it's a "tried and true" design. It seems silly to criticize it as BOTH the "new kid on the block" AND "antiquated in design."

NEW HOGs vs. used, serviced Mk25's? No question in my book...

Yes I criticize the "new kid on the block" for being the new Kid on the the block, because in my book you need to prove you have something to bring to the table and you'll have to do better than to bring a plagiarized regulator design to the table with a attractive price point, they offer a neat concept but are still very new, time will tell how far this company goes.

I never said the design was "antiquated" I merely pointed out they did not design it, I also pointed out I don't think they spend any money on R&D (at least not for Regulator)

The DS4/DST are great preforming regulators 1st stages and HOG copied them for the D1 & D2 (to the point I am fairly certain that Apek parts will work in a HOG) it's tried and true, been around for ages. Think of it as the comparison of Coca-Cola and Sam's Club Cola if you will. If HOG started developing their own design for a Regulator and successfully brought it to market they would gain a little respect from me.

As far as I am concerned HOG is in the same category as Gucci/Coach Knock off Handbags companies, with the exception that they manage to do it legally due to patent law... it may be Legal but it's immoral IMO.

That's all I have to say about that.

 

[beaverdivers]

Scubapro piston - MK 25!

 

[redacted]

As far as I am concerned HOG is in the same category as Gucci/Coach Knock off Handbags companies, with the exception that they manage to do it legally due to patent law... it may be Legal but it's immoral IMO.

Copying is immoral!!!! Nice avatar - how long did it take you to write the code?

I see absolutely nothing wrong with copying or duplicating or even relabeling a successful design (or an interesting avatar), especially when the price is right.

 

[IanBrit]

Copying is immoral!!!! Nice avatar - how long did it take you to write the code?

I see absolutely nothing wrong with copying or duplicating or even relabeling a successful design (or an interesting avatar), especially when the price is right.

I guess you don't earn a living where your ideas, research and development costs need to be covered by revenue.

 

[redacted]

I guess you don't earn a living where your ideas, research and development costs need to be covered by revenue.

Heck, I worked for the government so I guess there is a question whether I ever even "earned a living". I spent most of those 40 years working in the development and testing of Army systems. That might have involved a bit of revenue.

 

[eelnoraa]

Thanks to all your responses. Let's not discuss who copy who or who is right who is wrong here. It is entire another topic for another thread.

Elan
I see your concern about D1/DST 1st stage design. I can see it may make valve minipulation a little more difficult. Thanks for the head up.

HOG service kits are readily available. Anyone who can service an Apeks reg, can service a HOG reg.

I think this is my major concern with HOG. Around where I live, no dive shop will do service on HOG, probably not because they can't do it because they are all Apeks dealer. It is more of a liability issue.

On the other hand, I have one of the best, if not the best Scubapro technician nearby. So in terms of local servive, Mk25 wins hand down here.

My main question is in what aspect is sealed diaphram is better than a unsealed piston in 45F-55F murky Monterey water? It seems temperature is not low enough to make a differences. Then how else can sealed diaphram be better?

 

[PfcAJ]

Heck, I worked for the government so I guess there is a question whether I ever even "earned a living". I spent most of those 40 years working in the development and testing of Army systems. That might have involved a bit of revenue.

So I can blame you for some of my Army headaches?

 

[elan]

On the other hand, I have one of the best, if not the best Scubapro technician nearby. So in terms of local servive, Mk25 wins hand down here.

That's a deal sealing statement for me