Older MK25 still good enough?

[DiveVenture]

I have the opportunity to buy a double set with tanks, wing, and regulators. For a pretty reasonable price (around 900 dollar).

The wing and tanks look really good (Mares XR, 300 bar tanks with modern valves). The regulators set I have identified as:

- MK25 AF from somewhere between 2002-2008 (based on schematics)
- MK25 TIS from 2001 (piston cap does not have the AF fins), but the DIN knob seems to be newer, so probably converted to DIN at a later stage.

So these are pretty old, on the other hand the internals are very similar to newer models as far as I understand. They made small changes over the years, of which some are backwards compatible like the newer springs.

Both stages have been used only in fresh cold water, and have probably not seen continuous use.

Set needs servicing, as the guy has not been diving for a while.

I don't intent to do very serious technical diving with this set, I'm getting started and it seems like a nice deal. What should I lookout for?

 

[Angelo Farina]

Scubapro regs are almost eternal. I am still diving my MK5 first stages, 4 of them were built in years 1976-1980. All parts for servicing are still readily available.
The MK5 is currently the top fist stage in the SP line, you can rebuild them with the latest parts, making them virtually "as new".
I would buy the set without any concern!
Which second stages are coupled with the MK25? If they are G250, you are fully set!

 

[DiveVenture]

Scubapro regs are almost eternal. I am still diving my MK5 first stages, 4 of them were built in years 1976-1980. All parts for servicing are still readily available.
The MK5 is currently the top fist stage in the SP line, you can rebuild them with the latest parts, making them virtually "as new".
I would buy the set without any concern!
Which second stages are coupled with the MK25? If they are G250, you are fully set!

Yeah I kinda figured the same, especially since much of the internals can be upgraded to newer parts (composite piston?). Second stage is an S600 and cheaper R380, not ideal but should suffice for now. I can always sell this set in a later stage and get something even better?

 

[davehicks]

Yeah I kinda figured the same, especially since much of the internals can be upgraded to newer parts (composite piston?). Second stage is an S600 and cheaper R380, not ideal but should suffice for now. I can always sell this set in a later stage and get something even better?

I doubt know about a composite piston. Maybe you mean the coated EVO spring?

 

[DiveVenture]

I doubt know about a composite piston. Maybe you mean the coated EVO spring?

I was referring to this: Can anyone explain the MK25 Evo Piston? (with pictures)

 

[Manatee Diver]

All my stage regs have used Mk25 first stages, and even one started out as a Mk20. They work just fine, one was mistreated the worst and now has the composite piston and the blue XTIS spring. But the rest have whatever piston that was in there.

 

[davehicks]

I was referring to this: Can anyone explain the MK25 Evo Piston? (with pictures)

Got it. I was thinking composite as in carbon fiber composites. It's still steel. I suspect I have both versions in my two Mk25s, one of which is over 20 years old.

 

[happy-diver]

How can it be proven if it's new