Banish Brain Freeze With the ScubaPro MK17 EVO
Out of the box, this is a compact, heavily built, sturdy regulator that has some heft to it. Aesthetically, the chrome plating is blemish-free, and features the design one would expect from a top-notch scuba regulator. The thread on all four of the low-pressure ports as well as the two high-pressure ports is highly machined, ensuring all hoses will fit snugly with no leaks. Both factory and aftermarket hoses fit nicely and stay secure.
The ScubaPro MK 17 EVO can be equipped with either DIN or yoke connections. The new compact design (very minimal from the exterior) creates a smaller dry ambient pressure chamber and spring, giving the diver more confidence in cold waters. By making the dry ambient pressure chamber smaller, ScubaPro has lessened the area where highly pressurized, extremely cold air sits before moving to the second stage which, in turn lessens the likelihood of freezing.
I personally dive this regulator…a lot. Teaching students in southern United States rock quarries, where new divers sometimes kick up a little dirt, and leading more experienced divers off the East Coast in some of the saltiest waters, I need something that can manage all the suspended particulates. This regulator handles and breathes the same whether I am at 30 feet (9 m) in fresh water or if I’m diving to well over 100 feet (30 m) in the ocean.
I trust the MK17 EVO enough that before I acquired a full technical setup, I used this very same model as one of my regulators. However, due to only having four low-pressure ports and lacking a swivel turret, it wasn’t a long-term solution.
Spec Breakdowns & Features
The MK17 EVO has a balanced diaphragm, which gives divers an effortless and constant flow of air, regardless of depth, tank pressure, or breathing rate. It is also environmentally sealed, which prevents water or any pollutants from fouling the system. The 6900 lpm air flow is far more than any single, or air-sharing diver would need, even if both divers were running equipment from all the low-pressure ports.
The MK17 EVO weighs 30.3 oz (851 g), which is heavy compared to similar regulators, but all of that 30-plus ounces is rugged, chrome-plated brass. The four low-pressure ports and two high-pressure ports are enough to handle a traditional configuration, however, lacking the fifth low-pressure port makes this regulator difficult to use while diving in a technical configuration, where hose routing is imperative.
Second Stage Options
Many different second-stage regulators work with the MK17 EVO, including the S620i, the A700, and the G260. However, ScubaPro and many authorized dealers recommend the S600. The S600 is a high-performing regulator that provides constant and effortless flow, due to the balanced flow valve. At only 6.8 oz (193 g) and complete with an orthodontic mouthpiece, you won’t spend time worrying about jaw fatigue and gum discomfort. This regulator also has a diver-adjusted inhalation valve—just another reason the S600 is a top-of-the-line regulator from ScubaPro.
Price/Quality Ratio
Very few regulators on the market offer both an environmentally sealed design and a balanced diaphragm. Our research has found that, along with the MK17, Atomic Aquatics T3 and the Aqualung Legend Supreme offer these same qualities. All three regulators are environmentally sealed and contain a balanced diaphragm. Of these options, the ScubaPro MK17 EVO is the most affordable, and can be purchased for roughly $1000 including a primary second stage, while the Atomic Aquatics T3 is approximately $2100, including the T3 second stage. The Aqualung Legend Supreme comes in at $1150, including the second stage and octopus.
Overall, both the MK17 and Legend Supreme offer high-quality technology at half the cost of the T3. Your choice largely boils down to where you’ll be doing most of your diving and your access to competent and professional service/repair.
Do we recommend the ScubaPro MK17 EVO?
Yes, we recommend this regulator for a variety of reasons. First, it’s environmentally sealed, which means that absolutely no water, salt, silt, or other contaminants will get in. You can depend on this regulator’s performance in any and all conditions. Due to its sealed nature, the MK17 EVO has a dry ambient pressure chamber, where highly pressurized, extremely cold air sits before moving on to the second stage, which in turn makes this regulator practically impervious to freezing. It can be used in warm or cold water.
We also like the balanced diaphragm, which delivers constant and effortless airflow regardless of depth, tank pressure, or breathing rate. It will breathe the same whether you are at 40 feet (12 m) or 130 feet (40 m) and whether you have a full tank, or are approaching the halfway point in your dive.
We highly recommend the ScubaPro MK17 EVO to newer divers looking for their first regulator, or to divers looking to upgrade. Not only can the MK17 EVO meet all of your needs throughout a lifetime of diving, ScubaPro also offers “parts for life” if you buy the regulator, a BCD, octopus, and computer within a year.
Lastly, the ScubaPro MK17 EVO is priced very reasonably compared to other regulators of the same caliber. As stated prior, this regulator will last a long time, and because it costs comparatively less than similar, more expensive competitors, it represents a great investment.
Specs & Features
| Valve | DIN or yoke |
|---|---|
| First stage | Balanced diaphragm |
| Second stage | Balanced downstream |
| Ports | Two high-pressure; four low-pressure |
| Max working pressure | 300 bar/4350 psi (DIN); 232 bar/3365 psi (yoke) |
| Weight | 30.03 oz (851 g) first stage |
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