LINKS Best For Travel Mares Ultra 62X www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/hkoj Best Budget Mares Rover 2S www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/72c4 Best Cold Water Apeks MTX-RC www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/vdyw Best All-rounder Scubapro MK25 S620ti www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/yj7i Best Mid-range Aqualung Helix Compact Pro www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/ft2c Best High end Atomic TFX www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/vn6x Best Eco-friendly Apeks XL4 Ocea www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/rqi9 Best Long term Atomic Aquatics T3 www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/1au2 Best new regulator Scubapro MK19 EVO G260 www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/77u8 Best side exhaust Mares SXS 62X www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/9a3j

A side exhaust with a purge button in the middle. Just like the Tekna I've had for 30 years. The more things change... I own a range of regulators, mostly Scubapro but, of the ones I would actually use, my Jetstream is my fave. Can't say I've tried the X-Stream. How does the Atomic compare to the D300/400 series it was based on? I do have a Pilot (the very original of this design) but I ain't getting that wet.

Great video as always, thanks!

I have the Scubapro Mk25 & A700 for warm water recreational diving. Also have the Air2 on my Hydros pro BCD. Love these product videos. Allows me to stay updated on new gear that is not available normally as many of us divers deal with one dive shop only. Thanks, Mark.

For single-cylinder dives, I use the MK25 with S600 - it is a great kit. For side mounts, I have the Apex MTX kit. Both of them are great regulators.

Thanks for this! I feel more confident purchasing something you’ve recommended. I’m leaning heavily towards the SXS w/ the 62X first stage for my first set of regulators.

Was hoping for an updated review for regulators from you as I am actively searching for a set that fits my needs. Thanks a lot!

I got my first regulator recently. I went with the Mk25 EVO D420 and S270 octo

Great review Mark. Still have to go with my Poseidon XStream regulator, as the go everywhere do everything regulator. You can't beat the breathing, depth rating, cold rating or just puttering on the reef rating. And they aren't as difficult to find service for as some think.

@Mrveescuba

Ай бұрын

Lol. Sold them after 1 year usage.. The absolute shi piece of equipment

@sammoyers905

9 күн бұрын

@Mrveescuba I have been using Poseidon regulators as my primary for over 40 years... used many, many others, always prefer Poseidon. But everyone is entitled to their own opinion... Even if they are wrong... 😉

Just going to keep running these ds4's

Atomic ST1. Found no better regulator

Scubapro retired the mk17??? It is still on their website though...why would they discontinue one of their best first stages?

@ScubaDiverMagazine

Ай бұрын

I know! The 5-port swivel design must have been popular enough to transition to the 19. Most 2nd stages seem to be paired with the 19 instead of the 17 in the 2024 catalog. It's only available with the S600 and the C370 by the looks of it now.

@miks8

Ай бұрын

I still use my MK17 evo and its absolutely kick ass workhorse! If you can somehow get a new unit still these days for the massive discounts they should be going for, that' would be an amazing deal.

I have the Apeks XTX 200 + DS4 in cold water and it does it's job very well. Few weeks ago I went ice diving with it. In my opinion it doesn't have to be always the newest fanciest regulator. Sure the MTX-RC is a really good one but is it worth the upgrade money? I don't think so...

@bloodymarvelous4790

Ай бұрын

Most cold water regulators are suitable for ice diving. The MTX range excels when two people are huffing and puffing from the same first stage at near zero while being way too deep. Do you need that? No. Is it cool to have? You betcha. I personally run MTX and MTX-R regs, but they are a little more work to breathe from than the MTX-RC or XTX range regs.

@miks8

Ай бұрын

MTX-RC is like the coolest toy on the block - do you ^really* need it? no. You are not going to 150m in a cold freshwater cave for 8h dive. But you cant stop wanting it :D

@Iceman231181

Ай бұрын

@@miks8 That's the point! 😂

How does the Atomic M1 compare to these? Also, wish the video had mentioned which of the recommendations are certified for >40% O2. I grabbed the M1 for tec readiness and convenience - 100% O2, smooth breathing at any depth, 2yr service schedule, reasonable cold (not freezing) performance, and plenty of ports on a nice swivel turret - but not sure how it compares to these, and it seems to get less love on recommendation lists than I expected. Does it have downsides I'm not aware of? FWIW I've got over 100 dives on it and zero complaints so far. Mostly in socal, water temp 50-60ish. A couple lake dives in the low-mid 40s.

The MK25 remains the market reference as the best-in-class option to reach

@ScubaDiverMagazine

16 күн бұрын

It's a solid 1st stage. I think I saw one being used in a submarine to regulate the pressure in the cockpit

Where would you put Aqualung Legend? It was really famous recently and now it's not even here

@miks8

Ай бұрын

Had the exact same thought. Was expecting to see Legend on the list along with some Dive Rite gear

New diver here. If I want to just change out my primary second stage, can I just use my existing 1st stage and keep my hoses and octo as they are?

@ScubaDiverMagazine

Ай бұрын

Sort of... Most 1st & 2nd stages work in a similar way and have similar InterStage Pressures. What you might find is that when you pressurise the new combination the 2nd stage will hiss or the purge button won't function properly. It may work just fine but, there's a chance the 2nd stage will need to be adjusted to make it work properly.

It's funny that the Helix Compact Pro got mixed up with other Helix models. When I was looking for information about it about a year ago, I always came across reviews of another model and the reactions were negative. Only after I had bought the set in question did positive videos start to appear on KZread.

@ekun87

8 күн бұрын

So did you got the helix compact pro? If u did, whats your experience on it? I realise the official aqualung website even got some of the info on the Helix compact pro wrong. I'm really interested with this model n feels that it ticks most of the boxes that i look for in a regulator

@catchbay

7 күн бұрын

@@ekun87Pro is small and light. It is neither the smallest nor the lightest, but it has excellent features. There are now unbiased videos praising it on KZread. Second Stage is good but smaller would be better. The mouthpiece is excellent. Likewise, I'd like the Octo to be flat, not traditional. I might have to get new ones and make the package a mixed bag. The hoses are Miflex, but I changed them to Metalsub hoses. The 2nd Stage hose is too long and the Octo hose is too short. Miflex hoses are too stiff. I don't understand why they are praised. Metalsub is more flexible. You can't get a third HP port on the regulator. If you want it, you have to use a splitter. I want a second Transmitter and an analog SPG, so three ports would be good nowadays. I'm still happy with the set after I slightly improved it. It's a shame that the hoses come with the package, they have no use.

Hi! How would you compare Apeks XL4 with its XTX50/200 series??

@bloodymarvelous4790

Ай бұрын

I personally love the XL4+ because it has the same overmoulded environmental seal as the MTX series. I love the DST first stage that comes with the XTX-50 for the swivel turret and the ability to add a 5th port. The XTX-200 has a solid block first stage with a higher flow rate than the DST. The chrome accents on the second stages are a nice feature, but other than that the XTX-200 second stage is the same as the XTX-50 second stage. You could also go for the XTX Tungsten which is an XTX-200 but with a PVD coating. The XL4 and Ocea first stages are simpler and more compact, and more comparable to the DS4. No turret and no 5th port. If you're not considering moving into sidemount, twin sets, or long hose, the XL4 and DS4 are excellent regulators.

@ScubaDiverMagazine

Ай бұрын

They breathe much the same. Each have their own pros and cons so it depends what's important for you. XL4 is much more compact and only has venturi. It's also only usually paired with a DB4-style 1st stage. XTX are reversible and all but the 40 have breathing adjustment. You get a few choices of 1st stage. If size and weight are no issue then XTX are more customizable. If you prefer something smaller and without adjustments the XL4 is a good range.

@miks8

Ай бұрын

@@bloodymarvelous4790 Why would you not consider XL4 for tec setup? I picked and use my XL4s on my twinset with a long hose,

#askMark... I was wonder, I'm 6'3" and I have a backplate, but it seems to be pretty short. I have a hard time reaching for my manifold. I have looked for a tall version of backplate but not having much luck, so I'm hoping you can help point me in the right direction in possibly finding one.

@richrailton7006

Ай бұрын

I'm 6'2" and looking for a first bpw. I found the scubaforce black devil heavy long plate which seems a good size. I think my lack of experience is pushing me to buy a full pre-set kit, but thought that plate might interest you.

@ScubaDiverMagazine

Ай бұрын

Halcyon also make "long" backplates. I'd start off by checking if it's your suit or shoulder motility that's restricting your movement and that your shoulder straps aren't too tight. A bit of slack in the shoulder straps can allow a little movement so that you can reach the valves.

What do you suggest mk25 or mk19? It is going to be my first and only reg :)

@bloodymarvelous4790

Ай бұрын

The Mk25 is a piston first stage, which makes it bombproof and easy (and cheap) to service. The Mk19 is an environmentally sealed diaphragm regulator, which makes it easier to maintain and more user friendly., but more complex and more expensive to service. Both are excellent regulators, you can't go wrong with either of them. (You pay extra for the BT coating, so the Mk19BT is more expensive than the Mk25).

@ScubaDiverMagazine

Ай бұрын

Both are great 1st stages. For recreational diving the differences will be marginal. The main one for me though would be that the Mk19 is environmentally sealed and will help to keep contaminants out and improve cold water performance.

@ahmet.cankaya

Ай бұрын

I thought the Mk25 BT version would be enough to eliminate the harmful effects of the ocean on regulators but seems like it is not that simple. And best is to have environmentally sealed reg for long time usage. Thank you all for your replies.

Did you test thwm out your self and its personal opinion?? Or you just read online?? For will be wise if you try them your self for long period of time 😊

I dive between 2-5 times a day, pretty much everyday of the year here in Koh Tao Thailand…….I personally use a Apex xtx200 tungsten, I like the hard wearing finish, easy of breathing, solid feel and most importantly………..ease of servicing……. XL4’s are just a headache for servicing with over 90 parts in the 1st stage………I wouldn’t say there was anything special about them……. For a budget reg Aqua Lung Calypso are just about the most popular among the 60 or so dive schools here……….why hard wearing, reliable and easy to service……….downside that unbalanced 1st stage, you can feel a bit starved of air with a student panting on the primary on shared air skills…

@catchbay

25 күн бұрын

I have spent about a week three times on the same island in two years. I'm in Thailand now, with the necessary personal equipment in my bag, but it looks like I won't be able to get to Ko Tao :-( I chose Helix Compact Pro over xtx200. The price was about the same, but Helix is lighter.

@davidwebber2888

24 күн бұрын

@@catchbay easy to service to👍👍👍👍

Where is Cressi?

What constitutes cold water here?

@ScubaDiverMagazine

14 күн бұрын

The industry generally classifies any below 10°C as cold water.

@melbournaut

14 күн бұрын

@@ScubaDiverMagazine, cheers for the prompt and concise reply

I have dove to 255 on many types of regs. I have felt NO Difference from these high end priced models, as I have on the Inexpensive DIY Rebuild able Hog Regs.

Mares SXS = Dacor Viper