Mares Hybrid Pure BCD versions

[Alastor]

Uh oh .. looking at the photo posted by gral (holy ?) I just realized that the new BCDs have a newer weight systems. It is no longer MRS but SLS.
I don't know the differences, but it seems to me just a marketing strategy, to renew the catalog ...
BTW my buddy did other 20 dives till now and she's always happy with her rig.
The new models could lead to chances to get old ones cheaper...

 

[gral]

I just got the new Mares Pure SLS. If anyone have any questions about it let me know. There's virtually no information about on Mares webpages or online. Will hopefully try it out in the water and on a dive trip shortly.

 

[bjdaye]

Hi,
Thanks a lot for the info! However, I'm only really talking about the Hybrid Pure. Not the other "Hybrids". The Pure (at least some versions) also comes with a pinch clip on the waist belt. Look at this video from the MARES homepage for example: . It shows the Hybride Pure with a waist pinch clip.

My second link above is not the same version "Pure" as the first one (I believe). It does not have the padded hip support that your buddy seem to have. It's hard to see from the pictures sp look at this video from MARES homepage instead: . It shows a "Hybrid Pure" but with just a standard (2 inch maybe?) webbing around the waist. No hip support and the trim pockets are just small pockets on the webbing. Not the large joined pockets shown here (again a Hybrid Pure and a video from same MARES web page): .

That is what confuses me. I do understand if you do not have the time or patience to look at all the videos

It's good to hear that your buddy seem to be happy with it though!

Thanks!

Gral

very useful video
thx ：）

 

[thbcthomas]

If anyone is interested in the hybrid pure, diversdirect has them for $239 plus $50 coupon code for a price of $189. Price is good thru 2/13. Website only shows xl but I called Orlando store and ordered a xs/s and m/l for that same price.

 

[Alastor]

The following video is even better and the model has the delrin buckle instead of ventral fastex.

 

[Jaeger62]

I'm a bigger guy.... would the slimmer strap on the Pure be likely to bother me as compared to the wider/padded cummerbund on the Hybrid?

 

[tiburontucson]

I just got the new Mares Pure SLS. If anyone have any questions about it let me know. There's virtually no information about on Mares webpages or online. Will hopefully try it out in the water and on a dive trip shortly.

How do you like the SLS weight locking system? Does it require much force to either lock in or remove? the weights I saw a few youtube video reviews of the SLS weight lock system and it looks like it required some effort to remove weights. Have you had any difficulty?

 

[RB7]

for those interested in the newer Mares Pure SLS version - I recently bought this BCD from LeisurePro.. was originally looking for the older Mares Hybrid Pure but they did not have that in stock... while I have not taken it on a dive yet (will do for a liveaboard trip next week), I did notice a couple of differences between the two versions that were not readily apparent to me when looking online. The Pure SLS does NOT have a foldable backplate while the Mare Hybrid Pure did.. the Pure SLS backplate is quite lightweight though so it is still a good travel BCD. The SLS system seems to be quite bullet-proof .. I put in a 6lb weigh in one of the pockets and tried my level best to jiggle it free from all angles but the weight pouch remained secure... the SLS does require a firm pull to release the weight but I don't see that being a problem if needed to quickly dump weights.. I think Mares did a good job with the SLS system and the complaints about losing weights in the old MRS system should not be a problem with this newer system. the one thing I have not yet been able to figure out is whether or not the entire SLS weight system can be removed from the Pure SLS similar to how you can remove the MRS weight system from the Hybrid pure .. will report back later when I get a chance to try removing that. On first look - this seems to be a good lightweight no frills BCD for the recreational diver who is looking for a back-inflated system without going into a traditional BP+wings setup. The only thing I wish they had was more pockets.. right now it only has one foldup pocket but has plenty of D rings. Will report back after my trip once I get a chance to dive it for a couple of days.

 

[JDWilly317]

for those interested in the newer Mares Pure SLS version - I recently bought this BCD from LeisurePro.. was originally looking for the older Mares Hybrid Pure but they did not have that in stock... while I have not taken it on a dive yet (will do for a liveaboard trip next week), I did notice a couple of differences between the two versions that were not readily apparent to me when looking online. The Pure SLS does NOT have a foldable backplate while the Mare Hybrid Pure did.. the Pure SLS backplate is quite lightweight though so it is still a good travel BCD. The SLS system seems to be quite bullet-proof .. I put in a 6lb weigh in one of the pockets and tried my level best to jiggle it free from all angles but the weight pouch remained secure... the SLS does require a firm pull to release the weight but I don't see that being a problem if needed to quickly dump weights.. I think Mares did a good job with the SLS system and the complaints about losing weights in the old MRS system should not be a problem with this newer system. the one thing I have not yet been able to figure out is whether or not the entire SLS weight system can be removed from the Pure SLS similar to how you can remove the MRS weight system from the Hybrid pure .. will report back later when I get a chance to try removing that. On first look - this seems to be a good lightweight no frills BCD for the recreational diver who is looking for a back-inflated system without going into a traditional BP+wings setup. The only thing I wish they had was more pockets.. right now it only has one foldup pocket but has plenty of D rings. Will report back after my trip once I get a chance to dive it for a couple of days.

Just wondering since it has been a while if you indeed had the opportunity to give the Pure a try, and if you'd be so kind as to share any thoughts about the experience (i.e., the good and the bad). Considering one and looking for actual in-water reviews has yielded very little in the way of information. Thanks much!

As an afterthought, if anyone else has actually used this BC, I (and I'm fairly certain quite a few others) would love to hear your input on it. Thanks again!

 

[RB7]

Have done 2 liveaboard trips with the BCD and have no complaints. The weight pouches have been secure and i have not felt any risk of them falling out. The only thing to note is that if u fully inflate the BCD on the surface it tends to lean you forward... after experimenting i found the way to avoid that is not fully inflate on the surface and to have some weight in the rear trim pockets. The other thing to be aware of is that there is only 1 rollup pouch and no other pockets unlike typical jacket style bcds. There are plenty of D rings though so you can clip items.The BCD is travel friendly in my opinion. Overall i am happy with my purchase.