breathing test on different regulators

[JKSteger]

I just got in a Mares MR 12 1st stage regulator today and after connecting up my Scubapro G250 2nd stages to it and SPG and LP inflator hoses (wing & drysuit) I tested out the breathing.

:11: :11: WOW:11: :11:

The inhalaton was more natural than any of my other regulators. Now my Scubapro MK2 I didn't beleve was that great to begin with. I breathes good but it doesn't have that "natural feel" to it. My Scubapro MK20 breaths great and delivers ALOT of air but it too doesn't have a "natural feel" to it.

I'm basing this on the EXACT same 2nd stage, octo, LP hoses and SPG that I used on each one and on land. I will test in water Sat.

So I'm thinking now that my MK20 may not be tuned correctly. Shouldn't my MK20 1st smoke the MR12 or is that the difference between a "diaphram" and "piston" 1st stages?

Jeremy

 

[Agent 47]

Am I right in saying that the piston style will be capable of delivering more airflow, but the diaphragm will be more responsive? (I'm semi-quoting an article I read online, here.) That may explain the difference you noted. Can't wait to see how they compare at depth for you. Keep us posted.

I just recently picked up a mk18, myself, and will be diving it for the first time next weekend.

 

[Mark Vlahos]

The probably different IP from one first stage to the other is probably what is making the difference. My guess is that the Mares first stage has a higher IP.

Mark Vlahos

 

[do it easy]

I own 2 MR12s and they are decent breathers. I don't own any Scubapro regs, but I was under the impression that the other SP models are better breathers than the MK2.

I think it's odd that so many people are in disbelief that a Mares reg could breathe better than a SP. Why do so many people discount Mares? I think that they are simple, bullet proof regs that breathe decently, especially for the price and how simple they are internally. By the way, I own 2 MR12s and 4 Abyss regs.

 

[JKSteger]

I tried the MR12 today in the quarry and was quite satisfied. The hose routing was alot better with the MK20 but I do believe that the Mares's IP was a little higher because if I tuned the 2nd stage all the way open there was a very slight freeflow which I have never had on either of my Scubapro 1st stages.

I guess that the reason that I had never really looked at the Mares was because when any discussions here about high performance regulators are brought up it always the same continders...Scubapro, Aqualung, Apex.

I think I'm going to try and find someone that will let me try out the MR22 Abyss. If the MR12 is this good I can only imagine how much more the MR22 would be.

Jeremy

 

[do it easy]

One more thing about the MR12- there is a DFC port, which is the LP port that has the best output. You might notice that the 2nd stage on this post breathes better than the other ports. I believe it is marked DFC on the reg body.

 

[David P]

I just did the same thing with my MK25 and DS4
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=143736

 

[JKSteger]

thanks for the report David,
I'm thinking now that the diaphram 1st stages are a little more "responsive" to the IP drop when breathing at depth than my Scubapros.

Jeremy

 

[cerich]

thanks for the report David,
I'm thinking now that the diaphram 1st stages are a little more "responsive" to the IP drop when breathing at depth than my Scubapros.

Jeremy

Diaphrams are the future of regs, and I'm a piston fan.....

 

[loosebits]

With a balanced second stage, I honestly can't imagine anyone being able to tell the difference between two seperate first stages unless the demand is very high. Remember, the only job of the 1st stage is to keep the LP side at the set IP. There's enough volume in the LP hoses however that with a balanced second stage, any first stage should be able to keep enough pressure on the LP side to keep the second stages performing well.

No one should be able to tell the difference in normal diving conditions between MK2 and ATX200 first stages assuming the IP is set the same and the same balanced second stages are used.

Of course, this is just theory but I imagine that any noticed difference is just in the diver's head.