GS2000 or Proton Ice or something else??

[outlawaggie]

:06: Can't decide. Please help. I plan to dive mostly warm water but who knows. The only reason i said the proton ice over the proton metal is the ice comes with the V32 first and the metal comes with the v-16. (as I understand it at least) I like the compact seconds on these regs. Also, I plan to buy from Scubatoys so I need a reg available online. :06: All suggestions and opinions are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[rescuediver009]

No offence, but genesis is not exactly the greatest reg. It will get you by, but from what I have seen and heard it is not the best. Neither is the proton ice. Mares makes a great reg, but from what I understand the proton ice is close to the bottom of the list.... Sorry. If you are looking at Scubatoys, take a look at the Zeagle envoy that is in the same price range, or even the sherwood Maximus is a better reg than the Genesis...

 

[tndiveinstruct1]

:06: Can't decide. Please help. I plan to dive mostly warm water but who knows. The only reason i said the proton ice over the proton metal is the ice comes with the V32 first and the metal comes with the v-16. (as I understand it at least) I like the compact seconds on these regs. Also, I plan to buy from Scubatoys so I need a reg available online. :06: All suggestions and opinions are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

I have a V16 Orbiter with a Proton AAS attached to it. Never have had a lick of trouble with it. It's been thru cold water (38 degrees), warm water (88 degrees) and has never given me any trouble anytime. That said there was a thread here on SB some time back about someone who had some problems with their V16 Proton system. They ended up with a V32 Proton system as well.

You might also take a look at the Mares MR22 Abyss system as well. That is what I am currently using as my main reg. It too has a Proton AAS. As an instructor, I am always using my primary and AAS in all situations. The Abyss second stage breathes very easily in all positions and water temps.

Hope this helps you out some...

Randy Cain

 

[rescuediver009]

You might also take a look at the Mares MR22 Abyss system as well. That is what I am currently using as my main reg. It too has a Proton AAS. As an instructor, I am always using my primary and AAS in all situations. The Abyss second stage breathes very easily in all positions and water temps.

Hope this helps you out some...

Randy Cain

I would also recommend the MR22. Originaly I didn't think that it was in your price range but, I have set up a ruby, (same thing) before and they breathe like a dream.

 

[tndiveinstruct1]

I would also recommend the MR22. Originaly I didn't think that it was in your price range but, I have set up a ruby, (same thing) before and they breathe like a dream.

Actually, the MR22 Abyss is cheaper now than the V32 Proton Ice or the V32 Proton. The Abyss is running about $300.00 whereas the V32 Proton is $320.00. The V32 Proton Ice is a whopping $499.00.

The Proton Octo is only $100.00, so for $400.00 you have a Mares MR22 Abyss with a Proton Octo. That gives you an extra $100.00 to apply towards a good computer and SPG if one was so inclined.

 

[scubatoys]

Another option might be the V16 Proton Metal Still at a $300 price mark... The internal parts of a V16 and a V32 are the same. They use a spherical core seat, while the MR22 uses a flat poppet seat like the cheaper MR12. (ruby also uses a spherical seat - and the MR22 can be upgraded to spherical for about $60.00)

The V16 Proton Metal is real close to a Proton Ice except the proton Ice uses the V32 instead of the V16 (not really much difference) and the Proton Ice has the larger exhaust T in blue... but the performance of the 2 regs will be the same.

 

[BlueDevil]

Save yourself some money and buy an MR12 Proton. The MR12 is a great first stage, compact, light weight and a great performer. I have two MR12's that I have used to depths of 61m (200ft) and they breathed as well as my MR22 Abyss at that depth. I have used the Akros, Epos and Proton second stages on my MR12's and they all perform exceptionally well. If you plan on doing any travelling to small tropical islands the baggage limits on flights can be quite restrictive, so a lightweight rig such as the MR12 Proton is an excellent choice (especially if you have to take two regs for twin tanks). The MR12 has a flow rate of 4000 lpm!! Given that the average person uses around 25 lpm I figure that even two panicking divers are never going to exceed the ability of the MR12 to supply air.

Only pay the extra for the Proton Ice if you really think there is a very good chance that you will be doing some very cold ice diving (most standard regs are fine down to temperatures of at least 8 deg C).The MR22 Abyss is a great reg, but it is heavy, and expensive. Unless they have changed it since I got mine some years ago the reg hose connection is not a standard fitting, which could make it difficult to replace a reg hose if in a distant location. Since the MR12 Proton breathes just as well at depth as the Abyss (and the hoses are all standard fittings) why not save some money?

By the way, the dive guides I was with recently on the wreck of the President Coolidge in Vanuatu are using Protons. These guys do a lot of diving to 60m on this wreck, so I figure they must find these Mares regs pretty good for this kind of work.

 

[outlawaggie]

Actually, the MR22 Abyss is cheaper now than the V32 Proton Ice or the V32 Proton. The Abyss is running about $300.00 whereas the V32 Proton is $320.00. The V32 Proton Ice is a whopping $499.00.

The Proton Octo is only $100.00, so for $400.00 you have a Mares MR22 Abyss with a Proton Octo. That gives you an extra $100.00 to apply towards a good computer and SPG if one was so inclined.

Thanks for the help. It's looking like the V16 Proton Metal.

Randy, I noticed you are in NAshville. My compnay is building a project in Mashville. Any spots to dive? I'm in town once or twice a month. Maybe I could bring my gear along one trip and squeeze in some diving.

 

[outlawaggie]

Another option might be the V16 Proton Metal Still at a $300 price mark... The internal parts of a V16 and a V32 are the same. They use a spherical core seat, while the MR22 uses a flat poppet seat like the cheaper MR12. (ruby also uses a spherical seat - and the MR22 can be upgraded to spherical for about $60.00)

The V16 Proton Metal is real close to a Proton Ice except the proton Ice uses the V32 instead of the V16 (not really much difference) and the Proton Ice has the larger exhaust T in blue... but the performance of the 2 regs will be the same.

Larry,
Coincidentally, I talked to John in your shop yesterday about the same thing. I am leaning towards the V16 Proton Metal. Do you carry the Proton Octo? If so what is the cost? What would your opinion be of the V16 Proton XL. Do you carry the XL? Thanks for all the help.

 

[edwinh]

If you don't dive deep, you probably will not need the V32.

My advise is don't spend a bomb on regs if you don't that often. There are people happily diving SP Mk2/R390 with no complains whatsoever. There are people who are very happily diving with V16/ProtonXL too.

Mares do make good regs. I'm curious what made rescuediver009 say proton ice close to the bottom of the list...

To me, one of the most important factors in choosing a reg is the service support near you. If there is no service centre for a brand of reg within 100miles, why buy that reg and fret about servicing and spares.

V32's airflow is very high. Sometimes, if the reg is tuned too sensitively, it may freeflow easily. Have friend's with this experience...


Cheers