Mares Abyss 22 or Mk 17 S555 ??

[love4steel]

Im interested in these two regs because I want an easy breather with a long reliable lifspan, and one that will perform well in cold quarry water. The main question I have is one of service cost. Whereas the SP needs to be serviced each year (60 bucks) at LDS..the Mares claims that service every TWO years is enough. Im wondering how much that 2 year service will cost? 60? 120? If the Mares needed a 60 dollar service every two years that would definately tip the scales... any experience or comments appreciated!

 

[Stu S.]

I get Mares in Florida from Diver's Direct, an authorized dealer. Service for a first and second stage is $37.99 for the pair, including parts, if you keep the item "in warranty". You can send it to them in Florida. They have one service shop supporting a number of dive superstores, so the techs get a lot of practice. They have this in stock.

http://www.diversdirect.com/item/Mares - Mr-22 Abyss Regulator_ID40024

Happy diving!

 

[do it easy]

I think the 2 year service refers to the HP seat, not the reg itself. In other words, the seat is inspected every year and replaced every 2 years, or as needed.

Personally, I would go with the Abyss. I have 4 of them and would still buy more. They are great breathers, although they are not the best out there. I think they are more comfortable to breathe because they are metal body regs. I also like their simple design and lack of knobs.

 

[Phil Mintz]

I think the 2 year service refers to the HP seat, not the reg itself. In other words, the seat is inspected every year and replaced every 2 years, or as needed.

Personally, I would go with the Abyss. I have 4 of them and would still buy more. They are great breathers, although they are not the best out there. I think they are more comfortable to breathe because they are metal body regs. I also like their simple design and lack of knobs.

You are correct, service and inspection every year, HP seat every 2 or as needed.

Phil

 

[Thalassamania]

The Abyss is one of the best regulators I know. Don't select it on the basis of the service policy, select it on the basis of the fact that it really is one of the best regulators ever produced. I have two of them (Titanium with Ruby Seats installed after the first year's use, don't know if that's still possible).

 

[vablackwater]

Be able to differentiate labor costs (the time it takes for the tech to do the work) versus the cost of parts used for the service. If you comply with the SP terms of use and get the regs serviced annually, you pay for labor not parts (free parts for life). No clue about mares.

 

[scarefaceDM]

Mares Abyss...or any reg for that matter...Service every dive season. Since I use my regs pretty much year round...I service them spring and fall...The Mares Abyss is a very tough reg well worth it in my opinion.

If you thing that servicing is costly..for a peice of life support gear,
how much is your life worth to you?

Skimping on service...may aswell play russian roulette.

Safe dives

 

[Thalassamania]

Mares Abyss...or any reg for that matter...Service every dive season. Since I use my regs pretty much year round...I service them spring and fall...The Mares Abyss is a very tough reg well worth it in my opinion.

If you thing that servicing is costly..for a peice of life support gear,
how much is your life worth to you?

Skimping on service...may aswell play russian roulette.

Safe dives

I service my own regs, and do so every six months or 100 dives, whichever comes first.

I have a Comrade Diver who never has her regulators serviced (I've even offered to do them for free). She says if it's not broke don't fix it, she uses them for two or three years and then buys new ones (I get her old ones for next to nothing, service them and use them for spares and such). Frankly I've rarely seen anything in any of her regs that alarmed or concerned me. Kind of makes you wonder.

 

[love4steel]

Well, thanks everyone for they're input. I went with the Scubapro. My buddy, who is currently getting certified, says he's going to buy the abyss so i'll try his on a dive... hopefully I'll still like mine!

 

[dschulte]

Im interested in these two regs because I want an easy breather with a long reliable lifspan, and one that will perform well in cold quarry water. The main question I have is one of service cost. Whereas the SP needs to be serviced each year (60 bucks) at LDS..the Mares claims that service every TWO years is enough. Im wondering how much that 2 year service will cost? 60? 120? If the Mares needed a 60 dollar service every two years that would definately tip the scales... any experience or comments appreciated!

ScubaPro's service is pretty simple. Complete rebuild every year for life. The only cost you pay is the LDS fee. My shop it is $15 per stage. If there is an issue between services with the setup, my LDS does not charge, simply fixes it under the ScubaPro warranty. I am not familar with Mares products, only AL, Apeks, OMS and SP.
:Monkeydan