Need help with Regulator choice ???

[Seraph]

so this is the first post on SC and i cnat seem to decide on what regulator i should get between SCUBAPRO MK25/A700 , APEKS XTX200/din and POSEIDON jetstream/din
now since i do know that they are top of the line, my question is what would be the best choice ? i will be diving in the great lakes, warm water and maybe some ice diving but that is a big maybe!

[cbrich]

I dive the MK25/A700 and love it, but I would not use it for Ice diving. I don't have any experience with the Poseidon regs, but have heards good things about them, except for the availability of service parts was at one time very hard to get, but a rep from Poseidon told me in February they are working on a better customer support. Out of the regs you listed the XTX200 would be your best choice for the type of diving you listed. The XTX200 is a environmentally sealed first stage regs, which is a must for ice diving.

I have heard several people use the MK25 first stage in ice diving with great success, but then again, I only hear about this on the internet. I live too far south, so no ice diving for me.

[grf88]

Apeks regs are a popular choice for cold water diving in Canada. You might also want to look at XTX50 with a DS4 1st stage which will give you the same type of performance at less cost. Mine have been used for ice diving and the cold waters of Newfoundland with no problems.

[elan]

I would go with Apeks, not with high priced XTX200 but with XTX 50, you are not sacrificing anything.
Another option to consider would be SP MK17/G250V, better bor the very cold water than mk25
Having said that I started diving mK25 this year in waters as low as 40f and they worked. But I also have a backup set of zeagle flathead vi for very cold water

[diversteve]

Do you have dealers for all 3 nearby for service? If you're going to travel to warmer climates you might find better support for either the Scubapro or the Apeks (Aqualung) if it's ever needed. Another option might be one of the better Atomic Aquatics models, the B2 or ST1 - both have 1st stage seal/freeze kits - ST1 it's included, B2 it's an option. They're the other "top of the line" regs. Atomic Aquatics: The Best Regulators Ever Designed (http://www.atomicaquatics.com/regulators.html)

[Seraph]

Thx for the 411 :) will go with the apex!
here is the price i got XTX200 with XTX50 octo, apeks pressure gauge and suunto cobra3 dive computer 1800$ with full warranty

[Scared Silly]

apeks pressure gauge and suunto cobra3 dive computer

FYI, the Cobra computer has an integrated pressure gauge so I am not sure why you are getting a separate SPG.

[Seraph]

FYI, the Cobra computer has an integrated pressure gauge so I am not sure why you are getting a separate SPG.

it is part of the gear that was offered to me and i like the redundancy factor:)

[Mojostone]

Poseidon Jetstream, you either love them or hate them. Many divers do not like how they breathe, but I do. I love Poseidon Jetstreams, but I strongly suggest. That you dive with a Jetstream before buying. They do have problems with getting serviced. The last time I had mine serviced at the local dive shop. I did not get them back for 3 months. Nowadays I mail them in for servicing.

I also have the ScubaPro MK18-G250 and Atomic B2, both great regulators. I would take a good hard look at the ScubaPro MK17 A700. If I was buying a new scuba regulator.

I recently came back from a 6 week dive vacation to Palawan, Philippines. I rented my dive gear. Every placed I dove. They used Apeks regulators. It was my first dives with Apeks. I was impressed. Yeah it is a good breather, but not any better then my ScubaPro or Atomic. What I really noticed. Was the dive gear I rented. Had not been serviced for ages or may not been serviced at all. The Apeks regulators still worked good. I will never dive with rented gear again, but not because of the Apeks regulators. I had numerous unsafe experiences with rented BC's and inflators from various manufacturers.

[mala]

most serious divers in the uk use apex.

din only.

2p

[ams511]

most serious divers in the uk use apex.

din only.

2p

I remember from the Gasdiving UK page that Apeks, Beuchat, or Scubapro were acceptable choices. Beuchats like Poseidons can be a pain to service so I would avoid them. If you go with the Apeks I agree with the others that the XTX50 / DS4 is the way to go. If you go with Scubapro I would suggest the G250V and a MK-17. These regs are the sweet spots for price / performance and will never need to be replaced.

[eternaljonah]

what about the scuba pro mk17 with the s600?

[CPH]

The mk25 is fine under ice.
Me and the missus have seven sets of Mk25 and regulary dive under ice in Holland, Denmark and Norway with no problems.
The trick is not to breath till the first stage is under the water. This goes for all regs in ice conditions.

I personally use the Mk25 chrome and A700. I have an S555 second (same as the S600 basically). Great setup.

[elan]

what about the scuba pro mk17 with the s600?

Only with the newer one that has the metal barrel

[SnorkelLA]

Can't go wrong with a HOG reg. or the EDGE lines if you absolutely don't want DIN or don't want to use the adapter that comes with the D1

[Splitlip]

Only with the newer one that has the metal barrel
Does the 600 now have a metal barrel?

Good move on Scubapro's part. I have 2 mk 25's. The older one is paired with a ten or twelve year old s600. The latter one, I paired with a g250 v, only because I wanted the metal barrel.

No cold water diving me, but I it helps with dry mouth.

[elan]

Does the 600 now have a metal barrel?

.

As of 2011 AFAIK

[ams511]

A cheaper way to go would be this. Purchase a Subgear Cayman or Bonaire regulator. The first stage is a Mk-17, the second stage is a S-550 on the Cayman or a R390 on the Bonaire. I have seen the Cayman on Ebay for $300 then buy a older metal Scubapro second stage like a Balanced Adjustable or a 109 for under $100. So total your in for $400 and you get an excellent regulator to use.