Mares 28XR or Tecline R2Tec or...

[pongo]

Hi
Im looking in to buying a new two first stages and two second stages for tech diving and side mount.
Until now it was Apex all the way but as they went under I would like to have a reg I can service in future.
I have a good offer on Mares 28XR and Tecline R2Tec.
Im extremely heavy user and I do not need a reg which is gentle and needs servicing all the time. I want reliability and not the looks....in reg world that is...
Please give me experience advise.
Thanks

 

[Mobulai]

The Tecline are very similar to the Apeks DSTs, they both have the same service-ability (pretty easy unless you need to restore/dress the HP orifice volcano)

The Mares are known for their extremely stable IP - very low variance between full and empty tank - given that they use almost exclusively unbalanced 2nds (the best diaphragm balancing out there from what I read); and their environmental seals are quite a unique and genius solution (the env chamber uses a piston instead of a 2nd diaphragm)

That said.. the Apeks env seals are known for their champagne bubbles but a good workaround is using the Scubagsakets thick diaphragm (1.6 not the 1.3)

I have the TBP on my 82X (a heavy reg) and on my 28XR. It's really quite ingenious (though not completely new - the Dacor Extreme had a plastic oring sealed sleeve piston that acted the same way).
View attachment 884828
In any case, this floating piston head acts like the diaphragm, sealing against a smooth inner sealing surface just like a piston reg. The pin that opens the valve is connected to the piston head, and the seal above is a similar floating piston-head-like device that accepts the load of the environmental seal. Connecting the two together maintains the alignment of the sealing piston head that substitutes for the diaphragm.
Thus you have a dry-sealed reg with all the advantages of a diaphragm (crisper lockup for longer) but no constantly flexing diaphragm.
Time will tell if the oring seal does better than the diaphragm, but at least no more of these:
View attachment 884720
View attachment 884721
Mares has tested the 28XR to 200m.

Identical. Diaphragm clamp 1.63", so a Scubatools #6 fits perfectly. And they followed the Apeks model with the shallower environmental seal dimple. The pin diameter is the same: 0.154"

Following the Apeks lead (for better or worse), the turret height is similar, and the hose crimp will hit the DIN wheel and will not go 360°.

The milled fixed diaphragm clamp distance is the same as with Apeks. So to increase clamping compression, we switched from Apeks 1.16mm diaphragm to 1.5mm.

Absolutely! I'll share pics when I disassemble.

The intent was to take the popular Apeks template, and to mill something similar in stainless, while fixing known issues without having to completely redesign a new regulator.

The stainless has been passivated, which goes a long way to preventing galling. As long as you do not overtorque, there will be no disassembly issues, just as the Atomic ST1 comes apart without problems. While lubrication is also advocated in the industry to reduce galling, this will substantially increase thread load. Thus, they have not recommended lubing the DIN or Yoke bolt.
I have been diving the S2 piston version and had no trouble after my Philippines trip in taking things apart to look. It uses the same torque setting.

 

[LFMarm]

Until now it was Apex all the way but as they went under I would like to have a reg I can service in future.

I don't think Apeks is going anywhere – they have long term military contracts so regardless of the fate of their parent company/ownership this specific brand and their customer support is quite unlikely to disappear.

 

[Mobulai]

I agree with @LFMarm ; and in the EU the service parts issue is less of a concern vs the US; and worst case scenario there are great after market alternatives for service parts (even better on some fronts like the thicker diaphragm)