pmareschal
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We acquired a Mares BC device last year and are not happy with it. Here are the problems we encountered.
Background: We are recreational divers (NAUI advanced and CMAS 3*, more or less equivalent ot dive master), we dive up to 40m (130ft), at sea, sometimes with current. We dive all year long, winter and cold water included. We are not very experienced divers (40 and 130 dives respectively). The Ariel BC is my wifes and I have another BC (another brand). I have used or seen other BC and always paid attention to the details below.
We bought the Ariel BC because we had less experience a couple of years ago, and since I had a good BC, I never had any problem with it and could not imagine we would have any with a BC. I recommanded it mainly because I could not foresee any problem and because it had a dorsal inflation which is very comfortable (not or little side compression).
All BC are the same, right? Wrong. We simply had insufficient experience to choose all the things we like on a BC at that time. We got a good price on the BC (about 400$) which was fairly expensive without the rebate (about 100$ more). If it has a higher pricetag, you would imagine that it is of good quality and design. Wrong again. Read on.
1. Unacceptable: The MRS pocket are fragile. After 30 dives, 3 fixations between the pocket and the plastic underneath have got loose (2 in one pocket, 1 in another one). This cannot be repaired (rivets). This is very very bad and dangerous. We NEVER got even close to the maximum weight (13lb). There is never more than 7lb per pocket. So we did not destroy the pocket by overloading them. We are careful divers. We take good care of our expensive equipment. Now: What would happen if the four fixations get loose on the way up of a 25 minutes, 40m (130ft) dive? We loose a pocket of weight, BC gets positive and we are helplessly going up fast. This is a deadly situation. This is unacceptable. Even with a MRS system, weight should never ever be able to get loose without action from a diver. (This did not happen but it is a very likely scenario.)
Of course, we need to buy new MRS pocket at $50 a pair. We do not take the risk to dive with pockets loosely attached to their plastic plates.
The MRS system is awkward: When the BC is on your shoulder, it is difficult to insert the weight and secure them. So you have to load the pockets before you put your BC on.
My BC had industrial Velcro to attach the pockets to the BC. A pocket is a simpler folded piece of sturdy material, no plastic to support it, no problem. This old technology is far more robust than MRS. Nothing can break and little can go wrong. You have to pull quite hard to get the industrial Velcro loose.
2. Steel O and D rings on the BC are badly placed. The ones on the straps are too high and the one at the bottom of the BC are too centered. They are just on the edge of the pocket. When the BC is closed, they are too close to each other. You can only practically use one of the two. On my BC (another brand) D rings are about on the middle of the side, which means they come sideways on the hips when the BC is on my shoulder. I have 2 widely spaced and usable rings on each side.
3. Storage pockets (on top of MRS pockets) are unusable. Not only is it difficult to insert weight in the MRS system, but it is practically impossible to insert anything in the pockets when the lead pockets are loaded. And never forget that inserting somlething in the pocket is not the easiest part. How do you get the thing (your light for example) out of the pocket with thick gloves, at 40m? It is again practically impossible without the help of your dive buddy.
Thats why we are now looking, with a lot more experience, for a new, more practical, sturdier BC. May this post help you choose a BC with more care.
Background: We are recreational divers (NAUI advanced and CMAS 3*, more or less equivalent ot dive master), we dive up to 40m (130ft), at sea, sometimes with current. We dive all year long, winter and cold water included. We are not very experienced divers (40 and 130 dives respectively). The Ariel BC is my wifes and I have another BC (another brand). I have used or seen other BC and always paid attention to the details below.
We bought the Ariel BC because we had less experience a couple of years ago, and since I had a good BC, I never had any problem with it and could not imagine we would have any with a BC. I recommanded it mainly because I could not foresee any problem and because it had a dorsal inflation which is very comfortable (not or little side compression).
All BC are the same, right? Wrong. We simply had insufficient experience to choose all the things we like on a BC at that time. We got a good price on the BC (about 400$) which was fairly expensive without the rebate (about 100$ more). If it has a higher pricetag, you would imagine that it is of good quality and design. Wrong again. Read on.
1. Unacceptable: The MRS pocket are fragile. After 30 dives, 3 fixations between the pocket and the plastic underneath have got loose (2 in one pocket, 1 in another one). This cannot be repaired (rivets). This is very very bad and dangerous. We NEVER got even close to the maximum weight (13lb). There is never more than 7lb per pocket. So we did not destroy the pocket by overloading them. We are careful divers. We take good care of our expensive equipment. Now: What would happen if the four fixations get loose on the way up of a 25 minutes, 40m (130ft) dive? We loose a pocket of weight, BC gets positive and we are helplessly going up fast. This is a deadly situation. This is unacceptable. Even with a MRS system, weight should never ever be able to get loose without action from a diver. (This did not happen but it is a very likely scenario.)
Of course, we need to buy new MRS pocket at $50 a pair. We do not take the risk to dive with pockets loosely attached to their plastic plates.
The MRS system is awkward: When the BC is on your shoulder, it is difficult to insert the weight and secure them. So you have to load the pockets before you put your BC on.
My BC had industrial Velcro to attach the pockets to the BC. A pocket is a simpler folded piece of sturdy material, no plastic to support it, no problem. This old technology is far more robust than MRS. Nothing can break and little can go wrong. You have to pull quite hard to get the industrial Velcro loose.
2. Steel O and D rings on the BC are badly placed. The ones on the straps are too high and the one at the bottom of the BC are too centered. They are just on the edge of the pocket. When the BC is closed, they are too close to each other. You can only practically use one of the two. On my BC (another brand) D rings are about on the middle of the side, which means they come sideways on the hips when the BC is on my shoulder. I have 2 widely spaced and usable rings on each side.
3. Storage pockets (on top of MRS pockets) are unusable. Not only is it difficult to insert weight in the MRS system, but it is practically impossible to insert anything in the pockets when the lead pockets are loaded. And never forget that inserting somlething in the pocket is not the easiest part. How do you get the thing (your light for example) out of the pocket with thick gloves, at 40m? It is again practically impossible without the help of your dive buddy.
Thats why we are now looking, with a lot more experience, for a new, more practical, sturdier BC. May this post help you choose a BC with more care.
Oh well...
