Diver Lori once bubbled...
If you're set on Mares....forget the Proton Ice and the V32....pony up the extra bucks and get the Abyss 1st stage with the MR22 second stage. You won't be sorry. My buddy, a certified Mares tech, and I service our own regs being cavers and have found that Mares has SIGNIFICANTLY cheapened the product in the name of marketing.
Mares is selling the MR22 Abyss a good bit cheaper than the V32 Proton Ice, are you sure you're thinking of the correct reg? I've looked at the Mr22 and the V32, and with the exception of the some minor differences (technopolymer on the body), the only other difference seems to be the addition of the SCS HP seat to the V32 - which in my mind is a good thing, as I'd recommend having it done to an MR22 if you've got one... Otherwise, the MR22 and V32 first stages seem to be just about the same thing... Personally, the V32 looks to me like a pretty top notch first and a slight improvement on the Mr22...
The seconds are certainly different in size and construction, but the mechanism and design looks pretty similar in both the Abyss second and the Proton ICE second, albeit the Ice is a smaller second. What specifically are the shortcomings and problems?
It's your money, but we recommend NOTHING below the Abyss first stage and MR22 for the second.
The V16 is a decent first stage, BUT you can't get the MR22 second stage with it anymore.
You've got those flopped, the Abyss is the second, the MR22 is the first. In terms of a V16 with a MR22, do you mean the Orbiter (same as Abyss second, different faceplate) V16 that they used to sell?
Anyways, let me know what you've found, I'd really be interested to know...
BTW - I grew up in Dayton, where are you at?