Stage & Deco Bottles Regulator

[DomRep Diving]

I'm going to buy a regulator (maybe more than one soon) for my Stage and/or Deco Bottles... For now, I'm thinking about buying the MK2+/R190 because I've heard they are a real workhorse and because of the price. I now a lot of people in this board like apeks, I also like them, but the price difference is more than 100 bucks, so I guess for the small difference in performance it wouln't be the best investment.
Should I go with the MK2+/R190 combo, or pay about 60 more to get the Mk16 or Mk18 with the R190?
Since I don't live in the US, LDS is not an option, I can't get these regs in my country, so I will be buying them from DiveInn.
I want a nice working regulator, It doesn't has to be the best performing reg around, but I want a good reg overall. I will be using it with nitrox, and sometimes air... Any suggestions?

[MechDiver]

I use the Mk2+/R190 and see no reason to buy anything more expensive for deco cylinders. I don't use stages, so would have to evaluate their purpose before deciding on what reg I would use with one.

MD

[MikeFerrara]

I've never used the regs you mention but I spend as much or more time on my deco regs than I do bottom gas so I want good regs. One could also argue that reliability of a deco reg is even more important.

[Amphibious]

What are you using for Backgas? I try to keep all my regs the same. when service time comes it's much easier to get parts if you're only placing one order from one company.

In my case - all Apeks DS4/US4

Willer

[DomRep Diving]

Amphibious:
In my case, that is not the main problem... Getting them serviced in my country is pretty hard... So instead of a complete service once a year, I change the parts that need to be changed when they need to be changed... usually, in about 6 months, but some, last at least 2 years... it depends...
I know this is not the best-case scenario, but it is the only way of diving around here... I have about 6 years diving like that, and we are used to it.... I just want something comfortable, and that I know will not fail, but don't want to pay for something top of the line, if I can go with something less expensive and that does the job FINE...
Btw... for backgas I'm using Mares Mr22's with Abyss second stage, it was a nice price I got them for. Planning on changing them for Apeks ATX100 or ATX200 in the somewhat near future, but Apeks for deco, seems kind of not the best bang for the buck... more than a 100 bucks more than the Scubapro... but If it's the only way to go... I don't mind...
Recommendations?

[Amphibious]

Service timing put aside for the moment, my point was that finding parts could be easier for you if they were all the same parts. I had the same problem when I was in Saudi Arabia, finding equipment was a pain.

if you're going from DiveInn take a look at the US4, good deal and great reg. you don't have to deal with cold water, so the MK2 should be fine. I dive the BC Coast and inland lakes/rivers = COLD COLD COLD. I'm very wary of cheaper regs because of this, expecially pistons.

If you're just diving warm water, eg. Dominica, the MK2 - R190 should do a great job.

Willer

[dtdiver]

my lds says the mk2 cannot be made o2 clean

i understand the o2 compatible parts are not available

maybe they want me to buy another s600
(a great regulator btw!)
but i doubt it very much

dt

[MechDiver]

dtdiver once bubbled...
my lds says the mk2 cannot be made o2 clean

i understand the o2 compatible parts are not available

maybe they want me to buy another s600
(a great regulator btw!)
but i doubt it very much

dt

80% Hasn't seemed to bother my Mk2+. The second stage never sees high pressure and is immaterial.

MD

[Doppler]

I use ScubaPros throughout (deco and backgas) and have a Mk2 coupled with one of my R190s. Have used it extensively for more than 8 years in varied water conditions and it's a fine combo. I have a couple of MK 16s as well for deco (one wiht R190 one with G250) and they work great too. Someone already mentioned that your shallow deco reg spends more time in your mouth than anything else, which is a valid point, but I find the R190 is light enough to prevent jaw fatique. As for reliability, it's a ScubaPro and as with regs from just about any of the high end manufacturers, will give excellent reliability on deco.

For the record, I use MK25 R600 combos for backgas.=-)

[dtdiver]

MechDiver once bubbled...


80% Hasn't seemed to bother my Mk2+. The second stage never sees high pressure and is immaterial.

MD
sorry md

i meant to imply buying a mk25/s600 combo, not just the s600

despite your experience, why do the manufacturers, dive shops, and padi (and i would assume all the other dive organizations) make a big deal about o2 compatible equipment??

i thought o2 > 40% needed viton rings as well as different metals to avoid degredation from the o2? i know the explosion hazard is on filling the tank so that's not the issue here.

can you enlighten me on this issue?

thanks
dt

[DIR Tec Diver]

For cold water, Scuba Pro regs are total crap. If you dive in warmer water, then they are great. I had a MK25 S600 combo that froze on me at 42 meters, and honestly it scared the hell out of me since it was starting my deco. After that I switched to Apeks ATX 50 for all my regs. Since then I have seen 4 people suffer the same problem as I had, and now every one of them use Apeks. The ATX 50 It is especially perfect for deco and stage bottles because it swivels to allow you the proper comfortable position for the regs. Also Apeks will not freeze, lock up or give you any problems at all.

by the way, when I spoke with SP about my reg freezing, they told me since I bought my reg from the internet, the warranty was not valid, and they refused to help me. Apeks has unconditional warranty service.

[JamieZ]

I thought DIR divers dont use the Apeks DST's because the turret is another failure point. Have you talked to George about this, oops I mean Trey sorry for the mix up. I think you better give him a call and ask his permission or he might not be your freind anymore.:rolleyes:

[trymixdiver]

I think the DS4 is perfered over the DST for deco regs because of the DSTs extra ( potential ) failure point.

I use DS4 TX50s for backgas and my backup. I use DS4 G250 and DS4 R190 on my deco bottles.

andy

[Pez de Diablo]

DIR Tec Diver once bubbled...
by the way, when I spoke with SP about my reg freezing, they told me since I bought my reg from the internet, the warranty was not valid, and they refused to help me. Apeks has unconditional warranty service.

Hey, if you work for a dive shop, why did you buy through an internet supplier?

[icediver]

There are two reasons for a reg to free flow. One they are not set up properly and two they are being over worked.

I wonder maybe someone was were they shouldn't have been.

I myself use MK16's for back gas and MK20's for deco. 250 feet has not created problems so far.

T

[scuba_guy]

you guys who are buying the scubapro mk 16's.. lol i hope you don't have to service them yourself!!!! its a night mare inside those things. everything has to be replaced..lol trust scuba pro to design somthing like that.. stick with something simple and fool poof.. either the apeks DS4 or oceanic DX4 both are bullit proof and work at all depths

[DIR Tec Diver]

When I bought my MK25 S600 I was not working for a dive shop, so hence the reason why I bought it from the internet.

The issue of regs freeflowing because they are over worked is a total bunk statement. these regulators are advertised and supposed to be complete workhorses.

If you must know upon inspection of my reg it had a torn o-ring in the first stage and the working pressure had been set to 10.5 (all from the factory). In addition, the SP is a piston reg, and very prone to free flowing.

Was I where I should not have been?

If you think 42 meters in open water in the middle of the summer is where you should not be, then I think you are missing out on a lot of diving, and I also think that most everyone regularly dives to those depths.

Since I have had my Apeks regs I have not had 1 single free flow, or any other problem, and I have been diving in temperatures well below -20c at surface and only +2 in the water.

I think that speaks for itself

[malammon]

scuba_guy:

I've been inside my MK16's numerous times. Other than three seemingly extraneous plastic parts, there is nothing nightmarish about these regs. Also, rebuild kits don't cost anymore than for any other reg I've ever fooled with. You should play with a Posiden sometime.

[icediver]

So then if you feel that it was prone to free flow, why would you have purchased a SP piston reg. Also if it had a torn o-ring then the reg it's self was not the issue.

Lets face it there is no reg out there guaranteed not to free flow. The best you can do is service them and have them tuned properly.

T

[VaJames]

I think somebody took a DIR F class and now thinks he is a DIR Equipment spokesman. :wacko:

[Genesis]

I own THREE. The last one was picked up as a dedicated O2-analyzer 1st and had obviously had a hard life.

A new HP seat, three new O-rings (really!) and a good cleaning and while it won't win any cosmetic awards it works like new.

What is there to say beyond that?

Hell, if you take apart most of the BPs out there they look an awful lot like a clone of the Mk5 inside! :)

If I was diving in water colder than 45F or so I'd probably go with a BD, and I'd seriously consider Apeks.