Backup regulator choice, carry full set/partial set?

[kebosatu]

I do agree if you can take the set then do so, but to cut weight, given some small planes, I opted for less gear and a little less convenience.

I concur too.

 

[kebosatu]

Thanks everyone for the inputs... I see that backup set is pretty important for me who has seen how rental reg quality looks like in remote area. *i know some might not agree

As far as I remember mid-low end reg set cost less than half of cheapest 7 days LOB trip I can find (even lesser if you count the airfare in). And found out that reg malfunction (either after servicing or long idle) isn't that uncommon. Can't afford to miss a dive in such a trip.

 

[Wookie]

Sorry I'm late to the party.

I carry a first stage kit, a second stage hit, and a scubatool. A little chrystalube if I think about it, but most dive shops where I'm going have enough basic tools that I can use as long as I have the kit to put in them. If I need more than a kit, someone somewhere is telling me to enjoy the cervesa on the beach.

 

[Tbar]

Good idea. Probably this is where I'm heading to. If I can't find good second, new piece won't make much difference for mid-low end second stages. I think it's S360? one level above R195 that available here....

I would see the S360 as a level (or two) below the S600/S560. The R195 I believe is a classic downstream. The S360 is a balanced 2nd but does not have the user adjustment of the S560/S600. I have a purchased a couple of S360 regs new for about $US100 each - lucky buy. I have upgraded to 'user adjustable'.

 

[kebosatu]

Sorry I'm late to the party.

I carry a first stage kit, a second stage hit, and a scubatool. A little chrystalube if I think about it, but most dive shops where I'm going have enough basic tools that I can use as long as I have the kit to put in them. If I need more than a kit, someone somewhere is telling me to enjoy the cervesa on the beach.

Hahhaa. literally laughed at this. but.. out of curiosity, what scubatool(s) do you carry on a trip? aren't they heavy.. probably for a full set they are heavier than another set (?)

I would see the S360 as a level (or two) below the S600/S560. The R195 I believe is a classic downstream. The S360 is a balanced 2nd but does not have the user adjustment of the S560/S600. I have a purchased a couple of S360 regs new for about $US100 each - lucky buy. I have upgraded to 'user adjustable'.

What do you mean exactly with "user adjustable"? Adding the adjustment knob to S360? $100 is a great deal.

 

[halocline]

If you are looking for a pair of 2nd stages to add to your MK2 to form a complete back up set, just get 2 R190s or whatever the current unbalanced downstream scubapro 2nd stage is. Personally I only buy used regulators because I'm cheap and I know how to fix them. SP used to make an unbalanced barrel poppet 2nd stage with a metal case, the part number was 109. These are the "109" regs I was referring to. If you are comfortable buying used these are often the best buy, and their performance is outstanding. SP later made a plastic version of this, the G200. There was a balanced version called the G200B, which is a very nice 2nd stage. The only differences between the two are a couple of parts that are easily switched at a servicing. The G250, an all-time classic, was the same regulator but with an external adjustment for breathing effort. Many divers like to have that but it's not necessary.

There was also a metal case with a classic downstream valve, not a barrel poppet, called the 108 (again, that was the part number). The plastic offspring of those was the R190. Millions of MK2/R190 sets have been used as rental and training gear for decades. This is why you should have no trouble finding good used R190s, for a lot less than $100 each. I think SP no longer produces the R190, they've switched to smaller 2nd stages that are basically the same thing, they just cost a little more.

The advantage of staying with the unbalanced, downstream 2nds is that the rebuild kits are much less expensive; they only consist of a small generic seat, a couple of standard o-rings, and a nyloc nut. Since this whole idea is about a back up reg, don't worry about the difference in performance between the unbalanced and balanced 2nd stages. It's not worth spending the extra money in this situation.

 

[Tbar]

what scubatool(s) do you carry on a trip?

He may be meaning a multi tool - Compact Scuba Multi-Tool | Dive Gear Express®
If on a live-aboard I limit tools, but have tools that let me service the regs. I take a few tools, a couple of small shifters, o-ring picks, long nose pliers, stubby screwdriver with multi-bits, and the speciality tools for the regs. I expect I can get the heavier tool (big shifter) on the boat.
On local dives I only have basic tools as I do not take service kits, but I take a full reg set.

What do you mean exactly with "user adjustable"? Adding the adjustment knob to S360? $100 is a great deal.

The use adjustable 'feature' allows the user to adjust the breathing effort. All my regs are user adjustable but it is rarely used! I like my reg to breather easily, so if I then dive in a strong current I may want/need to make it a bit 'harder'. I wasn't proposing you should go for user adjustable just pointing the difference between the s360 (balanced range) and the R195 (down stream range).

@halocline has elaborated a bit more on this in the post above.

The advantage of staying with the unbalanced, downstream 2nds is that the rebuild kits are much less expensive; they only consist of a small generic seat, a couple of standard o-rings, and a nyloc nut. Since this whole idea is about a back up reg, don't worry about the difference in performance between the unbalanced and balanced 2nd stages. It's not worth spending the extra money in this situation.

I agree with this, if the reg is only intended as a back-up.

Most of my gear also comes second-hand. For me I expect that the reg set may be used as a primary set, when diving with the extended family and I service my gear, so I have decided to only have consistent models, all the 1st stages are MK25s and the 2nds are S600 variants and share common parts.

An advantage of a balanced second as a back-up is it can be moved to another 1st stage and will accommodate a variation in IP better than a downstream. Typically when servicing the 1st stage IP is set, between 125 and 145 PSI (Mk25), then the 2nd is adjusted. If the downstream 2nd is moved from a 1st with a low IP (125) to a high IP (145) and was adjusted to breath easily it may free-flow. a balanced 2nd will accommodate this change and if user adjustable can then be fine tuned.

If the reg set is only to be used as a back-up then you will need to test it regularly. Ever had a flat tyre only to find the spare is also flat, or not even there!

 

[george_austin]

When I travel, I throw in a freshened up Mk2 and a 108 or 9 that has been validated right before I walk out the door to the airport

 

[BRT]

We carry a complete working octopus set up the same way our regs are set up, computer and all. I always have at least 1 more backup computer I dive with. Anything acts twitchy I usually unscrew that part and replace it but could just swap the whole thing. I probably have less invested in all 3 reg sets and 4 computers than most people have in one.