APEX vs Scuba Pro vs Mares

[Fernie]

Just wanted to get some peoples thoughts...

I currently have a Mares Abyss 22 Reg with a Mares Prestige Octo. I bought in 2009 that has just over 50 dives worth of use..but has been serviced regularly as per manufacturer guidelines. It has done mostly salt water diving in the Carribean with a trip to cold water Tobermory.

In your opinion is it worth changing? and if so what would you recommend? Apex or Scuba Pro or keep what I have? and if so what should i buy? Which model? whats going to give me the best value over the long term? I am currently a Master Scuba Diver but do plan on teaching as a hobby. Most of my dives with maybe one or two trips a year locally (in cold / moderate temps in Ontario) will be in warm water..

Would love to hear your thoughts...

 

[Bubbletrubble]

What do you dislike about your current Mares setup?
There really should be one or more reasons for you to purchase another reg setup. In your post, you didn't give one reason.
If you're happy with what you've got, why get new stuff?

I'd recommend that you dive what you have for now. When you become a dive pro, you'll likely have access to insider discounts (at cost, keyman, etc.) and then it might make more sense to purchase some new gear. I know dive pros who can buy a reg, dive it for a year, and then sell it for more than what they originally paid...easily.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

If you are going to teach you will probably get stuck having to use a brand the shop sells - given your plans I'd just wait and see what the shop(s) you teach for require.

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Beyond that I am not a Mares fan for a few reasons that I won't go into related to design, service and customer support practices.

I am not opposed to Apeks and some of their designs stem for the designs of their parent company Aqualung. The aqualung legend LX is an excellent reg and if the Scubapro Mk17 and G250V (or the current metal air barrelled S600) were not available it would be a serious contender if I needed a new reg. However in terms of performance I prefer the MK 17 to other diaphragm regs on the market.

Halcyon also sells rebranded MK 17 and G250V regulators with some cosmetic changes, but they are the same regs from the same manufacturer with identical performance.

Aqualung and Apeks both use a balanced poppet in the second state that looks remarkably like the older blue Scubapro poppet with the exception that it is done in a lighter all plastic format like the current but more steeamlined Scubapro S-wing poppet. So not surprisingly inhalation performance with all three companies balanced and adjustable second stages are very similar.