Panicking Over Weight of Regulator!

[AlexinWanderland]

Recently I purchased a Scubapro MK25/S600. It just arrived and somehow it seems twice as heavy as I remember in the store. I travel solo and long-term and the idea of toting this thing around the world is starting to freak me out a little.

I think part of my buyer's remorse comes from the fact that I recently checked out a friend's Apek's Flight reg. I just looked up the specs and it's about half the weight of mine. If I could I would exchange but I bought this regular in part with a Gift Certificate to a dive shop that does not stock Apeks.

I guess I am looking for someone to assure me that the MK25/S600 isn't really too heavy to travel with and that it is a far superior purchase to the Apeks!

[Scott L]

Most divers carry-on their regulators and computer for a variety of good reasons, including reducing checked baggage weight. Relax, you purchased the most sought after regulator in the world...

[cbrich]

The MK25/S600 is a great regulator, I travel with a MK25/A700 and I am not concerned about weight. The difference between the regs is 10oz. you should not be worried about that, and the MK25/S600 is also a higher performing regulator. The only higher performing reg IMO is the MK25/A700. Also the hose routing for the MK25 is a lot better than the Flight first stage.

[AlexinWanderland]

See... feeling a bit better already :) I guess when I walked into the store I was really resolved that I wanted the smallest/lightest regulator possible as I am a pretty small person (and have a small face!) but I got pretty overexcited about my first major dive purchase (I've been using second hand and cast-off equipment so far) and ended up going for something shiny. Sounds like in this case it wasn't the worst move as at least I've ended up with a great, reliable regulator. It still seems huge on my face, but I guess diving is not for the vain. :)

I've also had issues lately with airlines weighing my carry ons! But I travel with some serious budget airlines.

[diversteve]

More reassurance. Your reg weighs 2.24 lbs. according to SP's website.

A $1600 Atomic T2X - all titanium - weighs 1.8lbs. Most of their other models are within oz. of yours and two are slightly heavier.

It's a good reg, I almost bought one instead.

[Tigerman]

I have had the airline weight my carryon once, but that was after a friend whom I was travelling with who was carrying a BIG backpack got his weighed and it was too heavy. They weighed mine to be sure the weight on both the bags where under the limit after we moved stuff over.

I know its a PITA that they weigh everything, but with regards to carryon, which most people stow above their heads theres some very good reasons for it - one of them being the drunk bastard who damn near dropped his on my head.
Another is of course the fact that IF you have a overly hard landing (aka emergency landing/crash) you dont want the thing to fall down and break everyones neck when maybe 3 or 4 could have survived the crash :p

[Maredsous]

There was a Ti version of the same reg. Could that have been what you saw in the store???

[Hawkwood]

Recently I purchased a Scubapro MK25/S600. It just arrived and somehow it seems twice as heavy as I remember in the store. I travel solo and long-term and the idea of toting this thing around the world is starting to freak me out a little....

Why not take it back to the store where you looked at it and make sure it is the same thing...or was this a check it out in the shop and buy on the internet thing?

[AlexinWanderland]

I checked it out in the store's showroom, and then they shipped it from a warehouse. Sorry to be slow but I'm new to the whole reg business... what is a Ti version? I'm assuming its a lighter travel version?

[Hawkwood]

Machined from titanium and/or titanium alloy - significantly lighter and usually more costly as well.

[diversteve]

Does ScubaPro even sell the "T" models anymore? It's not listed on their current U.S. Website.

Scubastore has the technical details listed but no price. Scubapro MK25T S600T. Regulators Regulators set, Scubastore.com, buy, offers, dive (http://www.scubastore.com/scuba-diving/scubapro-mk25t-s600t/5447/p)


MK25T/S600T TITANIUM REGULATOR SYSTEM:

This system offers the same performance as the brass version, but in a sophisticated and lightweight package:

- Machined titanium body and components for the MK25T, from a solid block of titanium.

- Titanium trim ring and plate for the S600T.


I think it was about $1600 retail. Also Scubastore is in Europe so warranty service becomes an issue

[TSandM]

I've been carrying my Mk25/S600s around the world for the last five years. Great regs -- they breathe extremely well, and you can get service on them almost anywhere.

[elan]

MK25/S600 is a great reg, you should feel happy... They have switched the barrel from plastic to metal in 2011 IIRC so that might create that feeling that it is heavier.

But in any case I carry my regs in my backpack and as it is not big I have never been asked so far to get it weighted. Because the regs are not bulky but heavy I was able to carry more than the allowance most of the time unnoticed. I see no reason of spending much more money on a Ti reg for the weight reason.

[buddhasummer]

As others have said don't worry about it you have purchased top of the line regs with performance to match which IMO is more important than saving a lb. FWIW i think your reg set is better than a Flight. I dive Apeks FSR/XTX which are also pretty heavy and too travel dive a lot, I cut weight in other areas such as clothing, lighter fins etc.

[eelnoraa]

mk25 is not the lightest nor the small first stage out there, but by no mean a heavy item. Its solid construction does make it feel dense tho. I can weight my mk25 vs my atomic ti first stage and tell you the weight saving if you want.

[diversteve]

mk25 is not the lightest nor the small first stage out there, but by no mean a heavy item. Its solid construction does make it feel dense tho. I can weight my mk25 vs my atomic ti first stage and tell you the weight saving if you want.Or you could look on their websites:

MK25: 1st Stage: INT 230 825g / 29.1 - DIN 300 592g / 20.9oz
S600: 2nd State: Weight: 193g / 6.8oz
35.9 ounces is equivalent to 2.24 pounds

T2X
First and Second Stage (Yoke) 838g (1.8 lbs.)
First Stage Only (Yoke) 433g (.95 lbs.)
Second Stage w/Hose 380g (.84 lbs.)

[AlexinWanderland]

Coming back to this late but I want to sincerely thank everyone for the input! I really appreciate it and you put me all at ease! The MK25 stays....

[halocline]

I think the miflex hoses are a bit lighter if you want to spend even more money....or you could just deal with the fact that you have to carry a whole 2 lbs. It's not like you're carrying it up a mountain.

Its always good to buy dive gear based on how it performs while diving instead of how easy it is to carry in your luggage. You've got a great regulator, enjoy it.

[AlexinWanderland]

....or you could just deal with the fact that you have to carry a whole 2 lbs. It's not like you're carrying it up a mountain.

Well in my case... I sometimes am! I just spent ten months straight traveling and carried everything with me on my back. That's likely to be my lifestyle for a while. I know it's totally different for most people and I wouldn't fret so much if I was just packing a suitcase for a one week dive trip to a resort in the Caribbean. I probably should have explained my circumstances better in the first place!

[halocline]

Well in my case... I sometimes am! (carrying up a mountain)

In that case, you definitely do have cause for concern about weight...;)

[RonFrank]

The Apeks is billed as the lightest reg in the world at 25 oz.

The Scubapro weighs 27.7oz. Both weighed without hoses.

The difference is a whopping 2.7oz, so not much.

Unfortunately diving is rather gear intensive. I do not envy you trying to travel with dive gear. I am guessing you travel with a reg, mask, fins and borrow/rent the rest. I have traveled with a DSLR setup for UW, and my scuba gear, and keeping it under 50lbs was difficult. I had people I paid to help drag this stuff around and we checked in and then were set. Nothing like what you are doing.

I just purchased a 4/3rds camera system and that would work for your travels both as an UW camera and topside as well. It will not replace a DSLR for action but for travel works well. The DSLR is nicer but a lot larger and heavier. Replacing the DSLR with a 4/3rd camera would save you 5lbs+. Check them out.

OLYMPUS PEN mini E-PM1 | Olympus Imaging Asia (http://asia.olympus-imaging.com/products/dslr/epm1/)
First Impressions: Using The Olympus E-PM1 Underwater|Underwater Photography Guide (http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/olympus-e-pm1-underwater-review)

Good luck with your travels and your blog!

[Tigerman]

I just packed my suitcase yesterday for a trip to the red sea..
Regulator, fins, 2 masks, bc and wetboots plus a few changes of underwear and shorts and the bare minimum of toiletries in a hardcase weigh in at 19.9kg and Im limited to 20kg by the airline before I get the NASTY overweight luggage fees so its definetly a bit of a hassle travelling with dive gear.
Now to keep my carryon under 5kg - I think Ill have to hope it wont get weighed rather than staying below 7kg to be quite honest..

Edit: Oh, almost forgot I actually got the UK C8 torch in the hardcase as well, but without batteries.

[quickfreze]

You could always go with Ti and save all that weight. I know the price is normally insanely different, but Edge just came out with a $700 Ti reg which is a piston w/ swivel similar in design to the MK25 and Atomic 1st stages. That would solve all your weight issues and gusto :)