ScubaPro Mk.II

[tomcatpc]

Hello
I got this 60's era ScubaPro Mk.II for Christmas as a rebuild project.  It was downright easy to rebuild...
Mark

[technidiver]

Lovely regulator combo!! Would like to get one some day.

TD

[nikeajax]

Mark, I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that the Mk.II is pretty rare, as they were recalled?!?!? Anyway, can we get a better image of the second stage, the exhaust tee in particular: is it the older style, or the newer?

JB

[tomcatpc]

I don't think this was the one recalled?, seen quite a few for sale online.
Mark
Give me time on more photos.

[tomcatpc]

Silicone grease "soak"

[tomcatpc]

First stage in pieces.
Mark

[nikeajax]

Mark, as I said, I could be wrong Some of the USD Calypsos were recalled, so that doesn't mean much.

So, yes, it has the original style tee, I think they changed styles in 1969 to the lemon-slice style. The last HW, the Scubastar-II used that style as did the Scubamaster:



But for performance and maximum deflection I like this style the best of any reg I've used:



JB

[nikeajax]

Mark, if you were to do a side-by-side comparison with your Scuba Star-TD you would see that the Mk.-II is an upgraded/face-lifted version of it! I'm pretty sure the volcano orifice is larger than the HW's too, but notice also that the SP's valve-body is a modded HW! Does the Mk.-II use a wipe ring? From your image it doesn't look as though it does...

JB

[SeaRat]

I happen to have purchased from Vintage Frank, or Frank Werthwein, his book, 50 Jahre Scubapro, Der Atemreglerhersteller. In it he discusses the Scubapro Mk II extensively, but in German. I have translated the first paragraph through Google Translate (with a couple of modifications for clarity) for you:

Die unter der Set-Bezeichnung 7105 ab Mitte 1963 eingeführte erste Stufe erhielt ab 1964 die Bezeichnung Mark II und war die erste "original" erste Stufe von Scubapro. Sie ist - mit Modifikationnen - bis heute im Angebot und dürfte daher der Druckminderer mit der längsten Produktionszeit aller jemals angebotenen ersten Stufen sein. Gegenüber threm Vorbild von Healthways erhielt sie einen größdrucks zu Gunsten der Zuveriässigkeit auswirkte. Viele andere Hersteller haben seither ein ähnliches medelll - meist mit ähnlichen Abmessungen - in ihr Programm aufgenommen. Diese ersten Stufen gelten als Arbeitspferd, das gerne den Dienst in Tauchschulen versieht.

The introduced under the set designation 7105 from mid-1963 first level was from 1964 the name Mark II and was the first "original" first stage of Scubapro. It is - with modifications - until today in the offer and should therefore be the regulator with the longest production time of all ever offered first stages. Opposed to Threm's model of Healthways, she received a sizeable boost in favor of reliability. Many other manufacturers have since included a similar model - usually with similar dimensions - in their program. These first stages are considered as a work horse, which likes to provide the service in diving schools.

This book, although in German, is the definitive resource for Scubapro's history. It discusses all the different models through their first 50 years, not only of regulators (though that is the focus), but also BCDs, suits and even underwater tow vehicles.

www.amazon.com/Jahre-Scubapro-German-Frank-Werthwein/dp/3848253534/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1548720255&sr=1-1&keywords=Frank+Werthwein%2C+50+Jahre+Scubapro

For those interested in a compelling story about Scubapro, I would highly encourage procuring this book.

John

[nikeajax]

John, if I'm reading it right:

"It is - with modifications - until today in the offer and should therefore be the regulator with the longest production time of all ever offered first stages."

I can't agree: the Sherwood first stage, that was quite ubiquitous and used by other companies, used on the Healthways Scuba Star is still being produced.

The Mk.-II's first stage from Mark's images looks to me like an unbalanced flow-by piston: am I wrong? If I am wrong then yes, I will admit that it is their own, but if I'm right, it's still just a Sherwood with a facelift And judging by Mark blowing through that rebuild he just did, makes me believe I am right

JB

[tomcatpc]

From what I recall...there was no wiper ring on the piston. I can totally see the Scuba Star/Mk. II connection. This was a simple rebuild...
Just by what little breathing I've done with this one, I really think the Mk V I rebuild two years ago is a much better performer...but not enough to bother me. Where I live and dive, I don't see many (at all) SP Mk.IIs. I have seen one or two SP Mk. VII though and that is it for vintage single hoses.
Mark

[tomcatpc]

I think that ScubaPro still has a Mk.II in their current line up? Not certain if it has any connection with the 60's Mk.II and just been updated a bit, or it is an entirely different regulator?
Mark

[nikeajax]

Mark, I'm not at all a ScubaPro fan, but I do like adding to my knowledge base, which is why I'm engaging in this thread. It's fun to explore these types of things so that hopefully we can all learn: we all and learn are the operative words BTW!

JB

[nikeajax]

Oh, also of note/to remember: the SP's used moded HW cans on the second stages until '69, then HW for a short time used the SP cans. I think '71 or '72, HW went back to their original style of cans that used the Qwick Klip...

JB

[tomcatpc]

Last Summer I had every intention of getting my "entry level" Sportsways single hose to rebuild... I just "happened onto" ScubaPro...ha ha!!!
Mark