Feedback on buying reg for new diver

[reekah]

Hi everyone, first post here and just wanted to say thanks in advance to everyone for taking the time to help a new diver.

I am certified up to rescue level (PADI) and heading to the Bay Islands in two months to complete my divemaster internship (hoping to do my instructor courses in the near future, but we'll see how it goes down there first). I am going to be buying a reg before I go as they cost a ton on the island.

I am wondering if someone could give me some feedback on the reg setup I've chosen - I have done some online research but there's only so much looking around online can tell you. I would rather hear from people who have more experience and knowledge than me!

I will primarily (ie. 99%) be warm water diving, but I am Canadian and I guess there's a chance I could dive here once in awhile when I get home. The most important feature I was looking for was a small, light second stage as I'm a girl and have a really small mouth/jaw, and if I'm going to be diving 3x a day long-term, I need something that won't cause jaw fatigue. I also wanted something that could easily be serviced in the common warm-water diving areas (ie. Bay Islands, Thailand, etc.) so I decided on Mares. I need something in the "under $1000 for first & second stage, octopus, SPG and BCD power inflator hose" range.

I am thinking of getting the following:

Mares Proton MR42 'She Dives' Reg - Mares Proton MR42 She Dives Metal Regulator | Dolphin Scuba Center (http://www.dolphinscuba.com/mares-proton-mr42-she-dives-metal-regulator.html)
and
Mares Prestige Octopus - Mares Prestige Octopus | Dolphin Scuba Center (http://www.dolphinscuba.com/mares-prestige-octopus.html)

I have seen good reviews for both (although there are not so many reviews out there for the reg). Any feedback you guys can offer would be great. Thanks!

[Hank49]

I have a good friend who is an instructor and dive shop owner for the last 15 years. He's also a Mares distributor. He now swears by ScubaPro (MK 25/ S 555) but is still a dealer for Mares.

Pretty much all regs are good nowadays. ScubaPro is a proven workhorse. The S 555, 600 and I would guess the newer model second stages are small and light.

[boulderjohn]

You can also get special comfort mouthpieces that will fit any regulator.

[chrpai]

I'm confused. How long have you been diving? You say you are new but that you are also in DM training.

If it was me, I'd get a DRIS BP/W and Hog D1 single tank reg set. Well under $1000. However, since you are doing your DM thing, you might want to think to ask what brands they want their divers in and what they have the parts and skills to service.

I don't know the Bay Islands, but in Jamaica the Sherwood unblanced piston regs are a workhorse for the rental fleets and perform well enough on the cheap.

[reekah]

Thanks everyone for your responses - the Scubapro MK 25 is out of my price range but the MK 11 was recommended to me by the owner of the dive shop where I'll be doing my training. They sell/service Mares and Scubapro, and I believe Sherwood to a lesser extent. Mares and Scubapro seem to be the most popular with shops on Roatan. I have heard good things about Hog but I am worried about being able to get it serviced as it doesn't sound like any shops where I'm going service that brand.

Great suggestion about the mouthpiece - I will likely still get a comfort mouthpiece with whatever reg I end up buying, but I still would like a small/light reg that doesn't pull and is also good for traveling with (ie. even with a mouthpiece I don't want a big reg).

[chrpai]

I dove a Mares MR12 Axis for about 6 years and they are good regs. I'm sure you'll be find with an MK11 or the Mares. With the Hog you can buy the service kits yourself and any good tech should be able to service it. But still, sounds like you might be best keeping your new host happy.

[Hank49]

If I remember right, during my dm and IE, they recommended that we use balanced regs because of the ability to deliver more air in case of emergencies while teaching or guiding dives. Not sure if that was policy or just our CD's advice but it makes sense.

[elan]

I donno where you are in Canada but in Toronto you can get an Apeks DS4/xTX50 for under 500 cad add an octo for under 200 and you will be well under 1000
I would go with either aqualung or sp

[reekah]

If I remember right, during my dm and IE, they recommended that we use balanced regs because of the ability to deliver more air in case of emergencies while teaching or guiding dives. Not sure if that was policy or just our CD's advice but it makes sense.

I don't see this listed anywhere in the product specifications... does that mean it's not balanced?


I donno where you are in Canada but in Toronto you can get an Apeks DS4/xTX50 for under 500 cad add an octo for under 200 and you will be well under 1000
I would go with either aqualung or sp

Thanks for the suggestion! I'm on the west coast. I will look into Scubapro again as it sounds like for where I'm going to dive, Scubapro and Mares are my choices as that's all I can get serviced. The prices at my LDS are insane so I am looking online.

[Hank49]

I don't see this listed anywhere in the product specifications... does that mean it's not balanced?


I've been looking and I can't find anything other than it's "high performance". It doesn't say whether it's a piston or diaphragm either. It LOOKS like a balanced 1st stage reg though.

[reekah]

I've been looking and I can't find anything other than it's "high performance". It doesn't say whether it's a piston or diaphragm either. It LOOKS like a balanced 1st stage reg though.

I found this: Mares Proton 42 She Dives Regulator (http://www.blueregionscuba.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=1&category_id=7) that talks about the dry kit at the bottom - it mentions both piston and diaphragm... sorry, am a bit clueless about the tech stuff. I know this is just for a dry kit, but does that tell you anything about the reg?

And I noticed on a couple sites (ie. Mares Proton 42 Metal She Dives Balanced Regulator - Snorkeling Equipment (http://snorkelingequipment.com/eShop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=4567D6&vis=1)) they say "balanced" in the name, but I guess that's not totally reliable.

I could always call Mares..? So I should ask if it's balanced and if it's a piston or diaphragm?

[Hank49]

Piston or diaphragm isn't so important as far as air delivery potential but balanced vs unbalanced is.
Also unbalanced start to breath harder at depth as your tank pressure decreases.
But yes, I would call Mares and ask. Maybe it's something new. I used to work on regs a lot 12 years ago but am a bit out of touch with the newer models.
I personally use a SP MK25 with an S 555 2nd stage. They're not that expensive and I abuse mine.
The 555 is just like the 600 without the fancy adjustment knob.

[Fishpie]

Don't get anything too expensive right now especially if you will end up working in the industry and can get manufacturers keyperson deals for less than wholesale.
Leisurepro has the Mares MR12 Ranger for $150 which will be more than adequate for your warm water diving.

2nd stage comfort has more to do with mouthpiece, hose length and stiffness than size of case and "lightness".

[vapourinthesea]

In 2 weeks I'll be getting the Mares Rover 12, and from everything I've read about them, they are an excellent reg. And as far as a dry kit, I've been told you dont really need one fore mares unless your doing ice diving.

---------- Post added ----------

By the way, the Mares Rover 12 (both 1st and 2nd stages) are on ebay for $160 delivered.

[reekah]

Piston or diaphragm isn't so important as far as air delivery potential but balanced vs unbalanced is.
Also unbalanced start to breath harder at depth as your tank pressure decreases.
But yes, I would call Mares and ask. Maybe it's something new. I used to work on regs a lot 12 years ago but am a bit out of touch with the newer models.
I personally use a SP MK25 with an S 555 2nd stage. They're not that expensive and I abuse mine.
The 555 is just like the 600 without the fancy adjustment knob.

Thanks so much for the info, that is really helpful! It sounds like I will definitely want a balanced reg. I will call Mares and ask. That SP MK 25 has been recommended to me numerous times, I just wish it was a little cheaper :depressed:


Don't get anything too expensive right now especially if you will end up working in the industry and can get manufacturers keyperson deals for less than wholesale.
Leisurepro has the Mares MR12 Ranger for $150 which will be more than adequate for your warm water diving.

2nd stage comfort has more to do with mouthpiece, hose length and stiffness than size of case and "lightness".

Agreed - not looking to spend a ton of money now, but I am headed to Roatan in the Bay Islands and it's extremely difficult to get anything shipped to the island so that is why I'm looking to get gear now. Most shops seem to reluctantly let you use their rental gear if you don't have your own, but definitely prefer pros with their own equipment.

I was mostly looking for a small/light 2nd stage for travel rather than jaw fatigue (it's not going to be heavy or light underwater anyway!) but I did choose the Mares Proton over the slightly cheaper Mares Prestige 12S (Mares Prestige 12S She Dives Regulator: Amazon.com: Sports & Outdoors (http://www.amazon.com/Mares-Prestige-12S-Dives-Regulator/dp/B004NG0C2S)) because of the miflex hose on the Proton. It sounds like that type of hose would be more what I'm looking for to avoid the pulling I find with most regs I've used so far.

[diversteve]

I found this: Mares Proton 42 She Dives Regulator (http://www.blueregionscuba.com/component/virtuemart/?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=1&category_id=7) that talks about the dry kit at the bottom - it mentions both piston and diaphragm... sorry, am a bit clueless about the tech stuff. I know this is just for a dry kit, but does that tell you anything about the reg?This line in the specifications does:

Mares Proton 42 Metal She Dives Regulator: Balanced diaphragm design

There's a Mares Store in the West End also - so that might be a good option in case you needed anything.

127010

[vapourinthesea]

Some people have problems with the miflex hoses, so you may want to lookup what problems people have had with them first...just a thought.

[Fishpie]

All Mares 1st stages are balanced diaphragms except for the entry model R2 witch is an unbalanced flow-by piston.

None of their 2nd stages are balanced but many do have a bypass tube (VAD) that boosts breathing effort without using knobs and levers.

[ams511]

I would go with a Subgear Cayman which is a rebadged Scubapro Mk-17 with an S-555. It was a Scuba labs testers choice and I have seen them on Ebay for $300 for the first and second. Add a cheap octo and an SPG and be done with it.

If your bothered by reg pulling I would suggest trying a Sherwood Maximus regulator. The hose routes under your arm and is quite flexible so it should not pull.

[elan]

None of their 2nd stages are balanced
Is that right Fishpie? Thats interesting to know

[supergaijin]

There aren't that many shops IME where you can buy equipment for less than wholesale prices!


if you will end up working in the industry and can get manufacturers keyperson deals for less than wholesale.

I wouldn't get too caught up with the differences between balanced/non-balanced (especially in the 2nd stage). Go for something cheap and cheerful and one that can be serviced easily. I honestly doubt that your dives will require the ferrari-type regs just yet. Later when you get more in to a certain kind of diving, a reg upgrade is pretty common and one reg can be used for pool/CW sessions and the other for the deeper OW diving.

After all that, a balanced 1st stage is very good. I don't think you'll notice the difference in balancing the 2nd.

[kwinter]

Anyone find it odd that the OP is AOW and rescue certified, going for DM cert and then on to instructor, yet doesn't own a reg set? I view posts like this with a great deal of skepticism. Especially from low post counts.

[Hank49]

Anyone find it odd that the OP is AOW and rescue certified, going for DM cert and then on to instructor, yet doesn't own a reg set? .

No. I think a lot of people get into diving and want to try and live the life by becoming an instructor. I saw DM candidates who didn't own gear when I was doing my training. And I serviced regs for instructors who didn't know anything about their gear.

[reekah]

Thank you a ton to all the posters who have commented here, your advice and insight has been incredibly helpful! I have some new things to look into thanks to you guys and I'm pretty sure I know what I'm going with now. Much appreciated!


Anyone find it odd that the OP is AOW and rescue certified, going for DM cert and then on to instructor, yet doesn't own a reg set? I view posts like this with a great deal of skepticism. Especially from low post counts.

Hi kwinter, please feel free to message me privately with any concerns you have about me and my diving. I started this thread to seek advice on buying a regulator, not have people judge my plans, and I have received some excellent advice so far so I prefer that this thread not get derailed with posts like this. Perhaps I should have posted in the new diver forums but it didn't seem appropriate for the questions I was asking and I'm not a brand new diver, I thought this forum was a better choice. If not, my apologies.