Mares Dragon AT

traveler218 · Apr 8, 2013

I am looking to purchase a new BCD and was wondering if anyone has experience with the Mares Dragon AT? I really like the Aqualung Axiom i3 but have not really seen the Mares version before.

Any thoughts would be welcome

Robert

staggsSevin · Apr 8, 2013

traveler218:
I am looking to purchase a new BCD and was wondering if anyone has experience with the Mares Dragon AT? I really like the Aqualung Axiom i3 but have not really seen the Mares version before.

Any thoughts would be welcome

Robert

I used a Dragon AT for about 4 years. I had zero issues with the airtrim (pneumatic) and probably put around 250 dives on that bcd. I actually just moved to a Aqua Lung Axciom i3....I mainly switched because I moved and my LDS here doesn't have mares. I have not dove with the Axciom yet (next month) so I can't compare (i3 uses push rod instead of pneumatics).

My wife has had a pearl i3 for a year or two and hasn't had any issues out of it. I think you'll find a lot of people don't like the airtrim or pneumatic parts and say go with a normal inflator.

I know this doesn't help much! Also Mares is coming out with a Hybrid Airtrim bcd which i think may be replacing the dragon (not sure if it is going to replace the dragon or just add to their line)

Wayne at DiveSeekers · Apr 8, 2013

I would stick with a more traditional style BC/Inflator system. A couple of manufacturers released this system several years ago and it never took off. If you were to have an issue when traveling, good luck finding parts/someone to work on it. Above poster switched because there wasn't a Mares dealer, meanwhile, if it was a traditional style, could have kept the BC and had it serviced (kind of exactly what I'm talking about).

mblazer · Apr 8, 2013

Don't know if you'd be interested in a good used one, but I'm selling a non-AT Dragon (did not get the AT for the reason noted above - not wide acceptance). Here's the link to the for sale thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cl...451165-mares-dragon-bc-mrs-weight-system.html

PM me if you're interested.

traveler218 · Apr 8, 2013

Thanks for the comments. I'm a bit of a geek, so the technology was sort of interesting. I actually placed an order with Northeast Scuba Supply for a used Aqualung Pro QD with i3. Turns out after waiting a week for the BC I contacted them and they no longer had the one they supposedly sold me, so he offered me a NEW BC of my choice. They were not able to get me an Axiom in my size prior to my scheduled dive in 3 weeks, so I was looking at the Mares as an alternative. After looking at the Mares (and the Axiom for that mater) I decided they would not be great for travel.

Instead I ordered a new Zeagle Stilettto. I've never used one of these either and I will miss the technology, but from everything I have read I think I will be happy with it.

Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2

staggsSevin · Apr 8, 2013

I think you'll be happy with the Zeagle Stiletto, it was between the Axiom and the Stiletto for me. I really liked the fit of the Axiom but I didn't have a local Zeagle dealer where I could have tried the Stiletto on.....so based off that I picked the axiom. I wasn't worried about not having a zeagle dealer around because there was no i3 or anything to worry about.

SMSDiver · Apr 8, 2013

I have been diving and traveling with the Dragon A/T since 2006. Never had any problems and love it. Switched to Hollis when I moved into technical diving, but kept the Dragon for rec dives. I love mine.

Joost Arnold · Apr 10, 2013

My Mares Dragon AT had problems with the weight pockets that just fell out after being properly fitted and checked. This happened once at the end of a deep dive when I was still on 82 ft. Of course I thought it was a user error so I double checked everything before the next dives. Still the problem returned on a few dives. I was not the only one having these problems as I know people that even fix the pockets to their BCD with a steel pin! After denying the problem existed at first Mares later installed new pockets in my BCD. However I was not comfortable with it anymore and decided I would not take any risk with it. Other then that it's a great BCD. I can only advice not to use the weight system and use a belt instead. Losing your weight pockets on a deep dive can create a real problem.

robway034 · Apr 14, 2013

Awesome bcd... However I wouldn't disagree with any of its detractors. I've still got mine but hardly use it anymore since getting a dive-rite transpac. The transpac is wonderful because its modular. Travel wing and a rebreather wing are all I need for every kind of diving I do! The dragon is bulky and heavy and not nearly as versatile. Still a great stab-jacket nonetheless

Mares Dragon AT

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