My friend says Mares regulators aren't good - is this true?

[CuzzA]

That reminds me of something: when we started diving my wife got a Mares Puck dive computer. It was supposedly brand new, in a sealed original box etc, but came with a few dives already logged (!). It was cheap and at the time where I was living it would not be economical to ship it back, so we ended up keeping it.

I don't know if this is considered normal with other brands, but since then I took the decision to discard Mares for life.

It came with logged dives because it was factory tested to guarantee you didn't receive a non functioning computer. Not because it was used.

 

[TN Traveler]

That reminds me of something: when we started diving my wife got a Mares Puck dive computer. It was supposedly brand new, in a sealed original box etc, but came with a few dives already logged (!). It was cheap and at the time where I was living it would not be economical to ship it back, so we ended up keeping it.

I don't know if this is considered normal with other brands, but since then I took the decision to discard Mares for

Mares runs their computers through several "test dives" to be sure everything is working properly. Every Mares computer will have these dives in the logbook when they ship it out the door, perfectly normal.

 

[CuzzA]

On the reg discussion, I can't offer anything about Mares. I do own a Mares computer though which I'm very happy with. I don't have an opinion on the Dacor deal as it was before my time. But I can see how that would piss some people off.

I can add another option to take a look at and that is Hollis. Oceanic is the parent company. One of the biggest reasons I bought Hollis regs was because they give you free parts for life. If a company is going to guarantee me free parts for life then I'm happy to do business with them. Not to mention the price is great and they breath excellent. This can be confirmed by many reviews.

 

[bigduke12]

I have never had any issues with my abyss. Also, they have a 2 year 200 dive service interval, so if I need to pay a bit more, it does not really bother me. And a full set up with a rover octopus mr22t first stage and a pressure gauge was less than 400 dollars. Reviews are good. No issue.

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

[DevonDiver]

Gucci make nice loafers, but I wouldn't buy a tech computer from them...

There's no sense in recommending regulators because the same company makes nice masks etc etc

I can't think of a single scuba manufacturer that makes excellent products across its full range. Not one.

Not even Halcyon....

Bigger companies recognise that brand loyalty exists... naturally they take advantage of that. Even if it means filling in the blanks with 'branded' generic kit.

The equipment market is awash with identical items sold by different manufacturers with only slight cosmetic tweaks to 'brand' them.

The trick is to identify what product lines a given manufacturer really specialises in as their core business. They tend to produce the best...

Mares... do... specialise in regs. But I still think they're firmly 'middle-of-the-road'.

 

[Ouvea]

Mares makes very good regulators that breathe quite nicely. However, other manufacturers have produced regulators that have better breathing characteristics. I've personally owned many Mares regulators, from the MR12DFC to multiple Proton models, including the Limited Edition Metal. While they worked fined, they couldn't breathe easier than the US Divers Cousteau/Micra that replaced them or any of my current Atomic/Scubapro regulators (Z2 and MK25/G250V). It's the case that there are better options, given the price point.

 

[axxel57]

Unbelievable that I would defend Mares regs one day..........

But if somebody thinks that Mares Abyss, MR(X)12 and others of the older models are no pretty good regs, he/she doesn't know much about regulators.

The Mares 1sts do their job excellent, SP f.e. with their MK11-MK17 could only dream of.

The IP difference between full and near empty tank is usually around 0-3PSI, the components of the regulators are very good.

The nonadjustable Venturi system works remarkably good, hardly ever Venturi Overrides, also on flows of 12,5 SCFM.

They are virtually indestructible, easy to service and the 2nds are for me among the best breathing unbalanced 2nds on the market.Basta!

I never liked Mares regulators a lot for different reasons, but I will not get into the unnecessary brand bashing I have seen here now in this thread.

I have a good respect of the technical design and the quality of the components of older models of Mares.

 

[Searcaigh]

I have used Mares regs since 1986 and never had any major issue with them at all. My first Mk12 lasted for well over 800 dives. I have three Mk 22 Abyss models and a Proton Mk 42, excellent regs and breath well down to 70M.

The only negative thing I would say about them is that the first stages are not suitable for twinsets due to the shape and the difficulty in shutting down valves, in particular the right post because of the position of the hose for the second stage.

I still use a M22 Abyss for single tank diving and the other Mares regs are used on stages.

I did buy a DiveRite O2 reg recently and very happy with the way it breathes. My twinset regs are ScubaPro Mk25s

 

[marcbeaudry]

to the OP -
NO - Mares is not a bad reg.
are there better regs ? yes .
Look at them for what they are - there is many things they are not -
use them how and for what they are intended , and they hold a place firmly of 'ok regulator' in their
price range and against their similar competitors.
thats alot like saying- ''my friend says Ford's are a bad car ''
is that true ? on many levels yes - and and a great many - no not at all .

 

[Yuri_RP]

Where can I get a Kraken now? I look around and it seems there are no more stock.