News
PRODUCT SHOWCASE: The MK25 EVO and MK2 EVO 1st Stages with XTIS set the Bar in Cold Water Technology
The latest regulator innovation from Scubapro is the exclusive Extended Thermal Insulating System (XTIS). Available in the MK25/MK2 EVO first stages, XTIS ushers in a new era of cold-water protection for the industry. Combined with other advanced features, you’ll be equipped to go further than ever.
Available in EVO first stages, XTIS shields the product’s inner components from the elements. With XTIS, the cold-water protection for the MK25 EVO surges another 30 percent, with an impressive 50 percent boost for the MK2 EVO. XTIS provides divers with an ultra-fast breathing response and instant delivery of airflow with minimal effort, regardless of the water temperature, depth or pressure.
Corrado Cominetti, Research & development Manager explains: “The main target in XTIS development was the best freezing resistance. On the one hand we had the know-how based on our TIS experience, on the other hand it sounded pretty hard to improve what has been achieving great results over the years. Nevertheless laboratory analysis of the prototypes under extreme working conditions showed that a better performance was possible. The final outcome was amazing. The full insulating cover of the wet area slowed down the freezing so much that the improvement vs. TIS was evident. The abbreviation EVO stands for evolution. We couldn’t think of a better name as this step forward is an evolution in regulator technology. We are very pleased with this result.”
MK25 EVO – a top performer even in cold water
In addition to the XTIS, the MK25 EVO is built with highly technical internal components that are all designed to enhance cold-water breathing performance. These include a new spring insulating coating, a new body insulating bushing, a new antifreeze cap, and a bigger body and cap thread. Externally, supplementary fins have been added to the machined body to provide extra thermal exchange.
Like the standard MK25, the MK25 EVO also offers an external intermediate pressure adjustment for hassle-free maintenance, and two high pressure ports and five low pressure ports mounted on a swivel turret for convenient hose routing.
MK2 EVO – the workhorse of the regulators
The MK2 EVO classic downstream piston is delivered with re-worked, advanced components such as a new spring insulating bushing and coating, a new insulating piston bushing, a new insulating sleeve and a new antifreeze cap, all of which work with the XTIS to ratchet up the MK2 EVO’s resistance to freezing and improve its overall breathing capabilities. The body of the MK2 EVO is actually a tad smaller than the standard MK2, even though its piston is slightly larger, contributing to a 15 percent increase in airflow. The new removable orifice (patent pending) allows for easier maintenance and extends regulator life. The chrome plated brass body features one high pressure and four low pressure ports.
The new European EN250-2014 regulator testing standards
The following changes have been made:
- WOB test parameters have been adjusted down to 2.5 j/l (previously 3.0 j/l)
- Regulator cold-water tests are run with both single (62.5 l/m for 5 min @ 50m) and simultaneous breathing (560 l/min for 2 min @ 30m/99ft); with water temperature of 2°C
SCUBAPRO sets the benchmark for regulators.
The new MK25 EVO and MK2 EVO are available in the following combinations (DIN and INT) at authorised Scubapro dealers.
RRP
MK25 EVO/A700 £609 MK25 EVO/A700 Black Tech £689
MK25 EVO/G260 £459 MK25 EVO/G260 Tactical £569
MK25 EVO/S600 £485 MK2 EVO/R195 £179
For more information about Scubapro products visit www.scubapro.com.
Blogs
TRAVEL BLOG: Jeff Goodman Dives SOMABAY, Part 3
Today we are diving one of the outer reefs from an inflatable. As we reach the bottom, a reef octopus eases its way into the cover of a small crack in the coral while displaying it’s incredible ability to change colour. They are arguably one of the most charismatic of reef dwellers and it is always exciting for me to simply hover and watch. I would have spent longer and waited for it to come and investigate me, but as dive time is limited we wanted to move on and find a turtle.
The waters around Somabay are well protected and hold a rich variety of marine life. The reef edges are thriving colonies of coral and shoaling fish, while nearer the sea bed plenty of wildlife is still to be found.
Then we located the turtles. They are very used to divers and so show little concern when slowly approached. In fact occasionally one will come over to see what you are doing. There is always huge excitement when diving with a turtle. The shear thrill of sharing a moment with another species.
What a fantastic way to finish a wonderful few days diving and I would like to thank SOMABAY, ORCA DIVING and THE BREAKERS for making my stay such a good one.
I had a great time, with diving everyday either on the house reef or on one of the offshore reefs by inflatable or larger day boat. Orca diving provided high quality equipment and facilities while the staff were all very friendly and welcoming. The Breakers was right on the coast with nice rooms, good food and once again friendly staff making the whole trip a real pleasure.
Soma Bay covers an entire peninsula and is home to several resorts as well as residential compounds.
As well as scuba diving, Somabay caters for many other sports and activities, and so is perfect for families as well as individuals and/or groups. And of course there is always time to lay peacefully on the beach under the Egyptian sun.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
Blogs
TRAVEL BLOG: Jeff Goodman Dives SOMABAY, Part 2
Day three of my trip to Somabay and we were spending the day on the Lady Christina and diving on the wreck of the Salem Express.
Diving wrecks for me is always one of mixed emotions. The excitement of diving a wreck is more than often tempered by the thought of loss of life when she sank. The Salem Express was a passenger ship and a roll-on/roll-off ferry travelling from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to Safaga, Egypt. Most passengers were of poor class travelling home from their holidays while around 150 people were returning home from their pilgrimage to Mecca.
The ship struck a reef and sank within 20 minutes. Passengers were trapped below deck and the ship was filled with fear and panic.
The wreck area is strewn with personal belongings from the crew and passengers such as a transistor radio and a flat iron for clothes. A diver at sometime has put them in a prominent place to be seen.
Tragically only one life boat was launched while the others went down with the ship. More than 600 men, women and children lost their lives here.
It’s a stark reminder that the sea can be unforgiving and so when we dive on such wrecks we should do so with humble regard.
Returning to the surface, shoals of fish are gathered under our boat and seem to be welcoming us back into the light.
Back at the Breakers I sat in the dining area with a beer and a very good meal while my thoughts still remained with the day’s dive on the Salem Express.
Check in for part 3 tomorrow for Jeff’s last day of diving with Somabay on the off-shore reefs looking for turtles.
Book your next Red Sea dive adventure with SOMABAY! For more information, visit www.somabay.com.
Stay at the Breakers Diving & Surfing Lodge when you visit! For more information, visit www.thebreakers-somabay.com.
Find out more about ORCA Dive Clubs at SOMABAY at www.orca-diveclubs.com/en/soma-bay-en.
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