2nd stage Mares with 1st stage ScubaPro

[gclaudiu]

Hi,

I have a silly question maybe... I own 2 sets of regulators: 1. Mares V16/Proton Metal and 2. ScubaPro MK25/S600. In this moment I use as octopus the RG2200 from DiveRite (air rite) and I am not very happy now with the air integrated setup. My question is now: is there any issue if I wanna use my Mares 2nd stage (proton metal) as octopus in the MK25/S600 setup?

According to the specifications V16 can provide 9.8 to 10.2 bar and the MK25 from 9 to 9.8 bar and I don't see any technical issue... But I might be wrong :blinking:

Any suggestions?

I know ppl will say that i should buy a SP (r190/295/395) instead or other things but are some reasons I ask this:
- I want not to buy additional stuff unless is a must
- I like the idea of having a good 2nd stage as I might have to use it in emergency (RG2200 might be a very good piece of hardware but is really very complicate to use it in emergency - have to keep miy head turn to the left, can not deflate the BC, ppl when stress tend to grab your primary rather than octopus, etc)

Btw, if is not possible to "mix" the brands, how come my Mares works fine for quite some time with my RG2200? Thank you.

 

[yukilaw1012]

Sure. It's like taking for example a Legend LX setup and putting on a R395 on as a octo. Shouldn't be a problem.

 

[gclaudiu]

Thank you for reply I'll try this weekend

 

[cwkline]

I have been using a Proton Octo on my Atomics for 2 years now. It works, and I had it so rather than buy an Octo I just used it. You shouldn't have any issues.
Safe Dives
Charlie

 

[Blacthorn]

You know, this is one of those informational issues that should have a sticky. There seems to be a lot of confusion as to wether mixing 1st and 2nd stages is alright. There is a pretty normal marketing set up that convinces most people that they have to have the same makes of regs. Some kind of sticky faq would be a good idea....hmmm maybe I will go suggest that to the board in general. For the reg one I nominate DA to write it...LOL just trying to keep DA from getting bored, I am helpful like that.

 

[Zambezi]

It should work just fine. A mate of mine also dives the MK25/S600 and when his octo kept free flowing we used his son's Mares Rebel second stage. He's now upgraded his son's gear and still uses the rebel as his octo

 

[gclaudiu]

Thank you everyone for replies. I just finish to pack my stuff, in few hours I'll be flying to Similan and test it. Have a lovely weekend... oops, here is saturday morning already

 

[michaeltandy]

Ive been using both a Scubapro Mk25 and a Mk 17 with Mares Regs for a year or so now. absolutely fine as long as the intermediate pressure is set correctly in the 1st stage for the regs been used.

 

[Zung]

The other way around is easier: tune the "new" second (Mares) to suit the first's IP and its role as an octo. Around 1.5" of water should do it.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

1+ for master Zung's advice.

I am a "brand mixer", sometimes with three different brands represented on the same rig

Set the 1st stage to factory "spec", set the 2nds to match the 1st stage IP.

In a pinch you should be fine using any correctly tuned Mares 2nd as an octo on any Scubapro first and not have to worry much about freeflows from the Mares octo because the Mares first stages from the "factory" have their IP set at at the high end of the spectrum (142-148) psi, and Scubapro IP's are typically less than that... and the Mares 2nds seem to be pretty happy within a range of IP's. The Mares 2nd will perform best if re-tuned to the IP of the Scubapro reg, of course.

Best wishes.