Looking for a "wet" reg!

[Jupiter31]

I was going to recommend the Mares. Tell us what you think after you dive. I find that if you are well hydrated and relax that, that works best. Drink water right before going in. Some people even like pouring some water into the regulator, blow it out and jump in breathing as you normally would. And don't choke on hard candy if you try that method.

I did 2 dives Sunday in Jupiter w/ the Mares ( depth 85' and 66') - overall very pleased; hydration was not an issue, so that problem is solved

The only small "however" is the Mares did not breathe as easy as the Aqualung LX; but I think its a fair trade off

 

[TN Traveler]

Get your LDS to "tune" the Mares.

Either adjust the 2nd or increase the IP on the 1st (they seem to come from the factory set on the low end of the specs).

No reason it should breath any harder - it just takes a little time to adjust it to your preference, since there is no 2nd stage adjustment on the outside.

 

[serrada]

Get your LDS to "tune" the Mares.

Either adjust the 2nd or increase the IP on the 1st (they seem to come from the factory set on the low end of the specs).

No reason it should breath any harder - it just takes a little time to adjust it to your preference, since there is no 2nd stage adjustment on the outside.

I agree somewhat. Like TN Traveler said have it tuned. You should be able to have it tuned so you would not be able to tell the difference. They abyss is a very high performance regulator. The Legend beats it on the test bench, but that's about it.

 

[Jupiter31]

I will and thanks to both for a great suggestion -

("IP" is internal pressure?)

 

[redacted]

No reason it should breath any harder - it just takes a little time to adjust it to your preference, since there is no 2nd stage adjustment on the outside.

I would expect the Mares to breath a bit harder than the AL Legend. The Mares is a classic downstream design and the Legend is a balanced barrel poppet design. Although Mares appears to have done a good job engineering this most basic design, you really can't expect it to perform as well through a variety of conditions as a well engineered balanced barrel poppet design. While a tech might be able to achieve similar cracking pressure performance on the test bench, the classic downstream design would probably not me as stable with cracking pressures under 1 inch. Also, the user cracking pressure adjustment allow the tech to set it closer to .6 and let the user control freeflow problems with the adjuster.

 

[tlawler]

I just keep one of those squeeze bottles that bicyclers use clipped to a d-ring near my mouth. Don't even need to unclip it, just put the nozzle in your mouth and pull it open with your teeth, then squeeze out a mouthful of water or sports drink. You just have to be careful to not let any air in or it will split open on ascent from overpressure. It gets pretty well flattened by the end of the dive, but works well for me.

 

[Jupiter31]

I would expect the Mares to breath a bit harder than the AL Legend. The Mares is a classic downstream design and the Legend is a balanced barrel poppet design. Although Mares appears to have done a good job engineering this most basic design, you really can't expect it to perform as well through a variety of conditions as a well engineered balanced barrel poppet design. While a tech might be able to achieve similar cracking pressure performance on the test bench, the classic downstream design would probably not me as stable with cracking pressures under 1 inch. Also, the user cracking pressure adjustment allow the tech to set it closer to .6 and let the user control freeflow problems with the adjuster.

Thanks

In your opinion/experience, there is still a degree of tuning that can be done to make it breathe a little easier?

Its right out of the box w/ 2 dives - but it does not have an adjust feature like the LX (and many others) if you are refering to the lever on the side w/ the "+" or "-" or "dive/predive" settings

 

[Stu S.]

Mares Metal Proton worked for me. I had a saliva gland fail, so my whole throat can dry up quickly. I could hardly speak after an hour-long dive this summer, using a good plastic regulator. The V-16 Proton was on sale for $250 at Diver's Direct and was advertised to retain moisture. I am very pleased with breathing performance, moisture, and price.

 

[redacted]

Thanks

In your opinion/experience, there is still a degree of tuning that can be done to make it breathe a little easier?

Its right out of the box w/ 2 dives - but it does not have an adjust feature like the LX (and many others) if you are refering to the lever on the side w/ the "+" or "-" or "dive/predive" settings

A regulator can alway be tweeked a bit more. That doesn't necessarily mean it will perform any better. It might even lose a little.

If you are satisfied with how it breathes, I suggest you leave it. As the LP seat takes a set, it might just start breathing a little better on it own.

 

[Jupiter31]

thanks