Mares Voltrex

[Nick_R]

I found a few Mares MR12/Voltrex regs for cheap. Anyone got any experience using these regs, I don't, and know nothing about Mares regs, can you still get service kits for them?

 

[CODMAN]

Yes you can still get service kits for them and the MR12 1st stage is a great bulletproof 1st!!!! Don't know about the 2nd though (no hand on experience), although in general Mares 2nds are great breathers at all depths!.

Hope this helps a bit!

I found a few Mares MR12/Voltrex regs for cheap. Anyone got any experience using these regs, I don't, and know nothing about Mares regs, can you still get service kits for them?

 

[Nick_R]

Thanks for the reply, I may go ahead a buy a few of them

 

[Scott]

I have a couple Mares MR12/Voltrex's that I bought in the late 90's that my kids now use. Parts are still available and they breathe pretty good for what I would consider a 'mid line' reg.

 

[Greg Barlow]

Nick,

The Voltrex is the same second stage as that of the Abyss. It has a different front cover, but all the other parts are the same. The Voltrex second stage was used with the MR12 and MR16 first stages, while the Abyss was normally paired with the MR22 first stage.

The second stage service kits for the Abyss/Orbiter/Voltrex are available from any Mares dealer. Scuba Unlimited is in Blue Ash, and is a highly reputable dealer. Craig does the bulk of their service work and is a skilled, and honest, technician. Tell him that I said to treat you right!

The first stage has been a staple of the Mares company for more than 20 years.

Greg Barlow

 

[Nick_R]

I figured they would be ok, I went ahead and bought 4 of them since the appearance wasn't too bad. I ended up getting them for 30.00 each.

 

[scubafanatic]

I found a few Mares MR12/Voltrex regs for cheap. Anyone got any experience using these regs, I don't, and know nothing about Mares regs, can you still get service kits for them?

...my very 1st reg was a MARES MR16 Voltrex (I still have it) I have several MR16 and MR12 Voltrexes. They always served me well, and have been to 150' (Bonaire) and past 130' (Cozumel) with my MR16 Voltrex. I like the 16 better than the 12 as the 12 only has 1 HP port. Those regs are in my back-up 'kit' now, as a few years ago I transitioned to regs with diver-adjustable 2nd stages (mainly Atomics and Apeks now as primary 'front-line' regs.) (I won't start another thread here about why I think diver-adjustable 2nd-stages are better..... ) anyhow, if you've got new 'old stock'...get them serviced and upgrade/replace the HP seat to MARES newer tri-material compound......supposedly MUCH better/longer lasting than the old MARES seats...Greg Barlow can fill you in on that if you want to know more.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I just recently rebuilt an older MR-12 / Voltrex.

As already stated, all parts are still available, and the upgrade to the new Trimaterial HP poppet was easy. The MR-12 is a very easy regulator to service, and the 3 other MR-12 I have have been very reliable and perform very well. I would not hesitate to take them deep and dark.

And the Voltrex 2nd takes the same rebuild kit and breathes just as well as my newer Abyss 2nd stages.

Greg Barlow is a great source of info on Mares regs. I often bookmark his posts and printout his advice regarding tuning the Mares regs I own.

As far as adjustable versus non-adjustable 2nd's, I've gone the opposite route that many take .... the Mares 2nd stages (when tuned properly!) are fantastic breathers.... I use my Zeagle Flathead VI's as my stage/pony regulators, and the Mares MR22 Abyss as my primaries.... the Flathead VI's are fantastic regs and with their adjustable ZX 2nds are amazing breathers, but the Abyss 2nd just "feels" better to me... totally subjective, but there you go.

Enjoy your regs, and Best Wishes.

 

[Zak OHara]

I agree with all, except, I tote the company line that when our regs are properly tuned they are excellent performers in all conditions. We firmly believe that creating a "high performing" regulator with less moving parts (adjustable knobs etc..) equates to a more reliable product. Thanks all for your input...

Best regards,

 

[Nick_R]

I hooked all 4 sets up before I left to check them, make sure there were no leaks, freeflows, all the hoses looked good, octos were good and gauges were fine.....all in all 4 complete reg sets for 120.00

The high pressure spool was leaking on one of the gauge sets so he swapped it out with another set for me, so can't complain, I even picked up 10 alum 80's and 6 alum 63's all in hydro and vis for 40.00 each

I think I made out pretty good!