Another Second Stage Alternative

UWshutterbug

Well, like a lot of people here, when I first got my KISS, the BOV came fitted with the Paragon second stage. Granted, as second stages goes, it was a pretty sloppy performer. But because of its compact size, it helped keep the BOV’s overall size more manageable.

Now that my Paragon is way beyond overhauling due to internal parts are hard to come, and cheaply done, hence why it was suck a poor performer, its time to up grade.

Although KISS offers the Mares Prestige modification kit, I am not overjoyed. Other than their Avanti Quattro Pro and Power fins, I am not a Mares fan. Taking lead from a couple of enterprising members on this forum who have successfully replaced the BOV’s second with Scubapro G-500, Oceanic Omega’s, Poseidon Xtreme, etc., I’ve yet another alternative, Aqualung’s new Mikron second.

Last month I was loaned one Aqualung’s new Mikron (released last winter) regulators to try out. For a small reg., the second stage almost the same size as a Paragon, it breathed surprisingly well. Granted, its no Posieidon Xtreme, Atomic, or Apeks XTX 200, it can certainly go head to head with the Mares Prestige. The Mikron features an adjustment knob, the Prestige does not. But the most interesting point, they both feature the same size mouthpiece.

A little sanding, little filing here is the result.

Attached Images

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	KISSBOV1.JPG (172.1 KB, 526 views)

Gary Graham

Nice one. I take it you've not tried it in the water yet?

Will you let us know how it performs when you do get to dive it?

Cheers,

Dive safe,

Gary

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CK#103

UWshutterbug

Will do, I should be out on the water in the next day or two. I have only run it through a few post and negative pressure checks on the KISS as well as leak test in a wash basin - no problems there. As mentioned in the first post, did a couple dives with this regulator last month, and found it breathed pretty well. So it shouldn't really behave any different on the BOV.

Janos

I saw a review of this reg and thought it looked similar...

I'd be interested to know how it breathes

Janos

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UWshutterbug

Well I was able to get out for two 90-foot dives this morning off West Palm/Jupiter, and suffice to say the new Mikron second stage mounted in the KISS BOV, the reg when switch to OC breathed a dam site smoother/easier than Paragon ever did. Plus the weight/balance was so close to the same I didn't feel a change.

The one thing I have to mention is that the bit for the silicone mouthpiece on the Mikron is about 2-mm flatter than the on one Mares Prestige. If you are using the adaptor for that reg, as did, you will find a very slight amount of up and down wiggle when the Mikron is set in place.

To fix that, I built up the top and bottom (the width is spot on) with a thin layer of JB weld epoxy. Now it slots in nice and tight.

Philippe GERIN

Any chance to get a link to the specs of this for those in other parts of the world?
Best
Philippe

billyf

J-B Weld Company - J-B WELD Product Information

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"Those who hammer their guns into plows will plow for those who do not."
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Trukdiver

Ok. I've got my Mikron. I've got my JB Weld. I've got the Mares Prestige adapter kit. I've got my files and sand paper and I'm ready to do the mods.

I just want to make absolutely sure that I am filing the right stuff.

After examining the pics, it looks like I have to sand/file the following bits:

• The part that inserts into the dsv needs to have the lip sanded off it (under OC use this would be the part that has a mouthpiece attached)
• The flat part of the adapter needs a little sanding down (and the screw left out)
• The part on to of the reg itself that would prevent the metal holding clip from clamping down.
• Maybe a little bit of the exhaust port.

Will someone please verify before I start damaging this beautiful little reg?

Thanks!!

PS - I got the primary second stage and not the Octo if that matters.

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Sunny Longordo
CK#245

UWshutterbug

Yes, you have all that right.

You will also need to file the metal flang that holds the second stage to the DSV - but do that part last once everything else fits into place.

If you take your time and not rush it, it will come out really nice.

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Editor-in-Chief
Underwaterjournal