Mikron... environmentally sealed?

[LisaCT]

Hi, everyone. I am brand new to diving and purchased the Aqua Lung Mikron.
My dive shop told me I need to have it environmentally sealed.
From everything I’ve read, the Mikron already comes ES. Am I wrong?
Does anyone have any pictures so I can check it out myself?
I have a call and an email into Aqua Lung but haven’t heard anything back yet.
Oh, and I did call the shop in Florida where I purchased all of my equipment and the extremely knowledgeable diver/employee told me that yes, it IS environmentally sealed.

 

[loosenit2]

The Mikron is not environmentally sealed, it is a warm water regulator meant to be used in water above 50F or 10C. It is a diaphragm 1st Stage, as opposed to a piston, which means that water does not go into the 1st stage, but adding an environmental seal kit would add parts and anti-freeze to the 1st Stage designed to help prevent freezing in colder waters. Not sure if there is an ES kit for the mikron or not.

 

[LisaCT]

Yes, I knew about the water temperature use. I’m just so confused on who to believe based on what I’ve read and what very experienced divers have told me.
I won’t be diving cold water (I trained in it and it was not enjoyable!)
The dive shop has ordered a kit so it IS available. Others are telling me I don’t need it because, as I’ve said, the Mikron is already apparently sealed.
If you look on Aqua Lung pages, THEY even say it’s environmentally sealed.
Any idea on how I can tell this myself?
Thank you SO much for your reply.

 

[LisaCT]

 

[JohnnyC]

That's not the Aqualung page I see. Hmmmm....

Mikron ACD - Aqua Lung Global - Personal Aquatic Equipment for Recreational and Professional Use

This one doesn't mention anything about an environmentally sealed first stage.

Interestingly enough, Leisurepro says it IS environmentally sealed.

 

[Wookie]

Maybe leisurepro is sealing it, but it doesn’t come that way from the factory. You can buy a sealing kit for it.

 

[RIHappyDiver]

Based on the warm water diving you’ll be doing, do you need environmentally sealed? Usually, ES is preferred for cold water or water with a lot of particulate, so if you plan on warm, clear water, no worries. The Micron is designed to be a travel reg, usually for tropical diving.

The AL site doesn’t say it is ES, but that is has an auto-closure device to seal the 1st stage from getting water in it.

 

[LisaCT]

Thanks, everyone.
I guess I will wait to hear from Aqua Lung to find out.

 

[StefinSB]

The Mikron is not environmentally sealed, it is a warm water regulator meant to be used in water above 50F or 10C. It is a diaphragm 1st Stage, as opposed to a piston, which means that water does not go into the 1st stage, but adding an environmental seal kit would add parts and anti-freeze to the 1st Stage designed to help prevent freezing in colder waters. Not sure if there is an ES kit for the mikron or not.

]
The diaphragm has to somehow sense actual ambient pressure. How do you think it can do that without being in contact with the water? The sealing kit prevents water contact by adding another diaphragm on the outside and a “pin” actuating the original one.

 

[JackD342]

At least In the US the Mikron does not come with an environmental seal. There are sometimes Aqualung variations found elsewhere in the world, I don’t know if that would be one of them. I am curious whose site you pasted in; again at least in the US that free octo offer violates Minimum Advertised Price agreements for authorized dealers. The last time that was a manufacturer promo offer was when they were transitioning to the new version, I think almost two years ago.
Current Mikron 1st stage is the same as the current Titan and Core. Add an environmental seal and you have the Core Supreme 1st. But that still does NOT mean the Mikron 2nd is designed, tested, or suitable for cold water use when paired with a Supreme 1st. But there is no harm in adding the kit, just little benefit to you.

Edit: Mikron is same 1st as Core except for branding piece; Titan 1st is non-ACD and has a couple more parts differences, but still the same body and basic design.