Scubapro Mk25/S600... Or wait?

[fmerkel]

I personally know 2 people that have had the MK25 freeze up on them on a recreational dive, ~ 90-100 feet. One was quite stressed before the freeze (heavy breathing, long story) and did a free ascent. The other was just putzing along on a normal dive when it happened. He buddy breathed (7' hoses are very handy), the buddy turned off the reg from free flowing, and they ascended shallower where they turned it back on and it worked fine again once thawed out. Water temps in the high 40's F. Both were very experienced divers. Nothing untoward was found in either reg as they were both serviced afterward. I actually got the tech report on the first one as I was very curious why it would do that.

I would not call the issue common in cold water as a lot of people have the MK25, but I would call it possible.

 

[Tbar]

Any updates to the S600 at this point would probably be cosmetic. They could take the guts of a S600, throw it in a new case, and make an "upgrade", but then it would be called a completely different reg for marketing purposes.

That would be the S560
I believe they have recently 'upgraded' the s600 to have a metal barrel. The s560 is more the 'older' s600 retaining the plastic barrel, and getting a new face.

 

[BoltSnap]

This BS about MK25 not suitable for NJ diving is pure BS. I have used MK20/MK25 in the North East region (Maine to NJ) for over 10 years in addition to my instructors, students and technical diving friends without any issues whatsoever!! If you are going to be diving in "freezing/icy" waters, as they do under they ice in lakes during the winter, that's a different story and you will need to take training in this type of diving with special precautions in diving and the use of dive equipment is such temperatures.

I just checked with a friend of mine who is a big time NAUI Technical course Director out of Boston and he uses MK25 in his technical diving there all year long.

The only regulator that will be slightly better than a Scubapro MK25 is the Atomic line of regulators. I use both and no issues with either brand at all.

If you buy the MK25/S600, you will buy once and won't have to upgrade and buy a new regulator for a very long time. If SP decides to upgrade/update the internal parts of this specific model, they will give you the option to upgrade yours too as they have done in the last many years for this model and others. This support what is so great about SP, their incredible support to their customers. Even the MK20 first stage had an upgrade option to become the MK25.

The MK25/s600 went through incremental updates over the years btw.

 

[redacted]

If you buy the MK25/S600, you will buy once and won't have to upgrade for a very long time. If SP decides to upgrade/update the internal parts of this specific model, they will give you the option to upgrade yours too as they have done in the last many years for this model and others. This support what is so great about SP, their incredible support to their customers. Even the MK20 first stage had an upgrade option to become the MK25.

The MK25/s600 went through incremental updates over the years btw.

Upgrades are usually at the owners expense unless it is a recall if you have PFL and old parts have been phased out. And they are mighty proud of those parts.

 

[BoltSnap]

@awap

Edited to clarify if I understand you correctly

 

[BoltSnap]

Upgrades are usually at the owners expense unless it is a recall if you have PFL and old parts have been phased out. And they are mighty proud of those parts.

Certain "updates" were free and "upgrades" customer will have to pay for them. I don't have an issue with either as long as I know that I can get my regulator to have the latest parts/modifications as they are introduced.

 

[rhwestfall]

That would be the S560
I believe they have recently 'upgraded' the s600 to have a metal barrel. The s560 is more the 'older' s600 retaining the plastic barrel, and getting a new face.

my S555 was upgraded to an s600 which was adding a metal air barrel....

 

[redacted]

Certain "updates" were free and "upgrades" customer will have to pay for them. I don't have an issue with either as long as I know that I can get my regulator to have the latest parts/modifications as they are introduced.

I have never had this need for the latest and greatest which is why I still prefer my Mk5 over my Mk20.

The Mk20 retainer recall was free. The upgrade to a composite piston was free if you had PFL and the old piston failed. The upgrade to Mk25 was going to cost.

 

[BoltSnap]

I have never had this need for the latest and greatest which is why I still prefer my Mk5 over my Mk20.

The Mk20 retainer recall was free. The upgrade to a composite piston was free if you had PFL and the old piston failed. The upgrade to Mk25 was going to cost.

It may not be "necessary" but it is always good to have the option

 

[Johanan]

Why does every new diver think they need a SP mk25/s_something? It's just about the most expensive reg you can buy. It's pretty much the equivalent of thinking you need a top end BMW to commute to work, in traffic, at 45mph.

Why do new divers want top of the line regulators? The aesthetic or art factor is important, too. It forms the "interior" of the psychological space of the diver and contributes to the enjoyment of diving. Only with time and with acquired skills the source of enjoyment shifts to, let's say - effortless soaring in the water and performing tasks with ease. Only then a delightful psychological space is created by interior rather then exterior factors. It is quite natural that these are new divers who covet the best products. Let them do so!