Cressi-sub vs. Mares

[rastawolf2]

Hello. I have been doing a lot of research (just on the net) about my next purchase of a bc. I have seemed to narrowed it to the cressi s111 (back inflate) and I thought one of the mares (pegasus, dragonfly aria, then I saw the morphus). I would greatly appreciate any advice from someone that has maybe used one or the other or both.
Thanks,

 

[Arnaud]

How did you come up with these two brands They are not, by far, the best available...

You should first focus on the style of BC (jacket, back inflate, soft harness and backplate) that you like best.

 

[rastawolf2]

I like the comfort of the back inflate....but curious as to what brands that you would recomend? I am still gathering all the info I can. Thanks for any help

 

[MaresMan1]

Rastawolf2,

Both of these BC's are good deals, depending on the type of diving you plan on doing. If it's basic recreational diving, they're both good deals. I use the Morphos when I travel, as it packs very small. Easily fitting into my dive bag, leaving plenty of room for other goodies.

It has a wing type bladder on the back and two small bladders, one on each side to produce an armchair feel on the surface (Sweet ). Very easy to trim with the Airtrim system. Works like a charm. It's especially helpful if you have camera equipment with you as you can adjust trim in any position (even upside down).

I tried the Cressi along with a friend and it's also a good BC. It has an airtrim system also, but it's not pneumatic (which some say is a good thing). My only problem with the BC is that the flight control sticks out about 3 inches from the jacket. I can see something getting caught on it.

Bottom line, decide on the type of diving you are going to do and buy what you need. Just my opinion, so no flames please, but you could not give me a BP/W for recreational diving (been there; done that; won't go back).

Whatever you choose, dive smart, dive safe.

Enjoy the ride
:mean:

 

[rastawolf2]

maresman1,

Thanks for the tips. I have been reading about the morphos, and have been quite impressed with what I have found. Unfortunately I don't have a chance to try one here locally. What is the difference between the morphos and the morphos twin (other than color)? Is it the double pneumatic valves or what?

Thanks for any advice

 

[MaresMan1]

Rastawolf2,

You hit it on the head. The only difference is the colour, thicher material and the extra pneumatic valve. The Morphos has one pneumatic and two manual, 840D. The Twin has two pneumatic and one manual, 1000D. The price difference is about $400 to $500, depending on where you get it.

I was told that the Twin was not to be sold in the US (by a Mares salesperson), but I know that you can get them here via the internet. For me, the differences were not worth the price.

I forgot to mention that there is no squeeze with this BC as the Wing and side bladders expand away from the body (Sweet ). All of my Tec/Rec buddies ( my son [a Navy Seal] and his cronies) reluctantly tried the Morphos and they were surprizingly impressed. I gave my son my Transpac II and ScubaPro ProQD. The Morphos is all I need.

Another thing is that it packs up in it's own case to the size of a large football.

You can tell that I am enjoying my Morphos. Just got back from PdC Mexico and takiing it on the next trip to St. Vincent in November.

Good luck in your search

Dive Smart; Dive Safe
Enjoy the ride
:mean:

 

[rastawolf2]

Thank you very much!!! I have all but decided. My wife and I are planning a, trip to coz in the spring.(she's getting certified in 2 weeks! ), and the portability would come in handy. The cressi s111 is the same (no chest squeeze),but not in portability. How is the releaseable weight system?complex or easy in real diving situations? at the LDS the mares system seems like a breeze.
Thanks again.

 

[Boogie711]

the portability would come in handy.

For ease of portability, there is NOTHING as simple as a backplate and wings. Nothing packs simpler, lighter and smaller.

 

[MaresMan1]

Boogie,

With all due respect, I disagree. My Transpac (now my sons) does not pack as small as the Morphos (considering the back plate). And, the Transpac is a lot heavier! This new Morphos design has the pluses of the BP/W and the portability with much less weight.

The Morphos BC takes the pluses from the BP/W design and the classic BC and puts them together to form the perfect travel BC (IMHO). Even my Navy Seals buds reluctantly agree.

While I would not recommend the Morphos for Tec or Cave diving, it is completely perfect and superior for recreational diving. This is a composite BC design that works extremely well.

Another plus is when diving in currents the Morphos does not act like a big sail as the BP/W does. It's much easier to control, as I discovered in PdC two weeks ago (just my opinion).

I have no problem with BP/W if you are diving with twins or doing Cave or Tec diving, but I find the BP/W totally overdone for recreational diving. Plus the Morphos allows me to trim in any position. Can't do that in a BP/W (well you can but it takes a lot more work).

If you plan on doing Tec/Rec or Cave diving, then I would say get a BP/W and learn to use it for all your diving. But for people that will only be doing Rec diving, the BP/W is just overdone (IMHO).

No flames please

Dive safe; dive smart
Enjoy the ride
:mean:

 

[Warren_L]

rastawolf2 once bubbled...
Hello. I have been doing a lot of research (just on the net) about my next purchase of a bc. I have seemed to narrowed it to the cressi s111 (back inflate) and I thought one of the mares (pegasus, dragonfly aria, then I saw the morphus). I would greatly appreciate any advice from someone that has maybe used one or the other or both.
Thanks,

I've been diving with a Cressi-Sub S111 for the last year or so. I did a fair bit of research as well before I bought mine. It isn't exactly a back inflate BC, but it does have a larger rear air formation which puts it somewhere in between a jacket and a back inflate. It's been very comfortable BC for me, but you have to keep in mind that what works for one person may be totally different for another. If you have a chance, try one out before buying. Try out a number of different ones before committing to one.