Scubapro G260 2nd Stage Regulator

Follow the interval in your regulator's manual, since manufacturers commonly specify an annual inspection or a set number of dives and many warranties depend on it. A regulator is life-support equipment, so service belongs with a factory-trained technician rather than being attempted at home. Have it looked at sooner than scheduled if you notice increased breathing effort, free-flow, bubbles, or water in the second stage.

Make sure the dust cap is dry and firmly seated over the first-stage inlet before the regulator goes anywhere near water, because water inside the first stage is the leading cause of internal corrosion. Rinse in fresh water without pressing the purge button, since purging while depressurized can draw water back into the second stage. Shake out the water and hang it to dry with the hoses in wide, gentle loops rather than tight bends.

Regulators travel well and are usually best carried in hand luggage where they will not be crushed or lost. A regulator holds no gas of its own, so there is nothing inherently problematic about it on an aircraft, though the airline and security screeners always have the final say. Pack it dry with the dust cap in place, in a padded regulator bag or wrapped in soft gear.

Many modern regulators are supplied as suitable for nitrox mixes up to 40 percent oxygen, which is the widely used recreational industry standard, while anything above that requires dedicated oxygen-clean equipment and procedures. Confirm what your specific regulator's manual states, and follow your nitrox training and your fill station's requirements. Never assume a regulator is oxygen-service clean simply because it looks clean or is new.

A yoke (A-clamp) fitting clamps over the tank valve and is the most common connection across much of the recreational world, while a DIN fitting screws into the valve and is standard in much of Europe and in technical diving. DIN captures the o-ring inside the threads, which many divers consider more secure, but yoke is often what rental cylinders provide. Adapters exist in both directions, so check what is used where you dive before deciding.

The octopus is your backup second stage, carried so you can share air with a buddy who is out of gas, or breathe from it yourself if your primary fails or free-flows. It is normally on a longer, brightly colored hose so it is easy to find and hand over under stress. Secure it in the triangle between your chin and the bottom of your rib cage so it is instantly accessible and not dragging through sand or coral.

Store it fully dry, out of sunlight, with the dust cap in place and the hoses in wide loops rather than tightly coiled. Avoid hanging it by the second stages for long periods, which stresses the hose fittings; laying it flat in a padded bag or hanging it by the first stage is kinder. If it has sat unused for a long stretch, have it checked before your next trip rather than assuming it is ready to dive.

Scubapro pairs the G260 with its MK-series first stages, including the MK17 EVO 2 (available in INT/Yoke or DIN), MK19 EVO, MK19 EVO BT, MK25 EVO and MK25 EVO BT, and it appears alongside the R105 octopus in octo-equipped system kits. Since this listing is the second stage only, you supply the first stage. Call 888-701-4017 if you want your existing first stage confirmed.

Yes. Scubapro builds the G260 with a full metal valve housing and metal internal components, including the inlet tube, orifice, inhalation knob and hose connector, which conduct heat into the valve area and help resist freezing. The anodized aluminum front cover sits over a reinforced technopolymer casing. Cold water performance also depends on the first stage you choose and on regular professional servicing.

Yes. The G260 uses a reversible hose attachment, so the hose can be connected for left or right side routing, which is why Scubapro lists it as suitable for tech diving configurations. The regulator ships on a 75 cm (29.5 in) super-flow hose in Scubapro system packages.

The Carbon and Carbon BT versions use a carbon fiber front cover with Black Tech coating and are roughly 24 g lighter than the standard G260, which has an anodized aluminum front cover. Scubapro lists the difference as the carbon fiber front cover, Black Tech coating and roughly 24 g lower weight. Scubapro offers the Carbon BT inside MK19 EVO BT packages, and the G260 Carbon inside MK25 EVO BT packages.