Mares Abyss 42 or Atomic Z2

[dorydiver]

I'm looking for a new regulator and have narrowed it down (I think) to two. Does anyone have or is anyone able to compare the Mares Abyss 42 and/or the Atomic Z2 (or B2)? I'm a marine biologist and will be doing a lot of diving with the new reg, but am still on a budget, so any advice would be great.
Thanks!

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I have a Mares Abyss MR22. The Abyss is one of the best regulators you can get. Do a search on do it easy's posts. He uses the Abyss for ice diving, deep dives, etc.

 

[Scared Silly]

I have dove both. Not the current Abyss as it was one generation ago. Currently I dive strictly Atomic regs. Both are good regs but the Atomic is a better breather. After I got my Atomics my SAC went up - why cause I was able to more easily pull more gas. I also like being able to easily take the 2nd stage a part to clean. It used to suck on the Abyss but I understand Mares addressed that finally. Also I have found getting parts for my Atomic to be really easy as compared to Mares regs. One plus for the Mares is that you can find them pretty easily world wide - not quite the case for Atomic.

 

[I_R_DIVER]

Don't know the 42 that well but have opened butt load of regs and the Abyss 22 still is tops.
Can't go wrong with Mares. even Nasa uses it. very simple, wear and tear friendly regs and that is the key. not alot of stuff to go wrong with them

 

[do it easy]

If you are on a budget, I would look at the Mares Abyss MR22. It's very similar to the MR42, but cheaper. Both are simple, robust regs that perform well.

I've never tried the Zeagles, so I can't compare them.