Mares Axis Octo freeflow
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detroit diver
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Although the Nitrox issue is bogus, there is a reason for not mixing regs. The IP setting for one first stage are matched with a second stages capabilities. If you mix and match different firsts and seconds, you might wind up with a wacked combination that doesn't work.
I'm not saying you can't do it, but just make sure they work together.
I'm not saying you can't do it, but just make sure they work together.
blawler1
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The Nikos is the Mares model that the Axis replaced. While it does not have the VAD (vortex assist), it is a very good reliable model and seems to be more rugged than the Axis. I find it comparable to the Axis for breathing except for the tendency to freeflow. As I mentioned before, I put my Nikos octo on my fiancee's setup and have a Nikos/R2 as a backup regulator. Rodales rated it a testers choice with both the MR12 and R2 1st stages.
It was a popular model and while they are no longer in production, they are available at many LDSs. And yes, they are good to go up to 40% EAN although Mares disclaims nitrox on all models except the nitrox versions. We use nitrox almost exclusively and have not had any problems with either one.
It was a popular model and while they are no longer in production, they are available at many LDSs. And yes, they are good to go up to 40% EAN although Mares disclaims nitrox on all models except the nitrox versions. We use nitrox almost exclusively and have not had any problems with either one.
brian cooper
Contributor
Yes you should be able to get them working together:
The Mares has an adjustable IP and the Scubapro is the two adjustment type with a moveable orifice block and adjusting nut on the lever end so it should be easy to set up for a compromise (I wont use the word balance 'cos it could confuse matters)
There was a link on here somewhere (but I can't find it) that gave all the IPs that various 2nd stages were happy at, I dont think you'll be far wrong if you set the IP to 9.5 bar (sorry don't do psi), and then set up the R190 first of all on the orifice position just in far enough to stop it hissing plus 1/12 of a turn then set the lever nut to get the purge to workso that the valve fully opens on "suck"
I look forward to your responce
Brian C
The Mares has an adjustable IP and the Scubapro is the two adjustment type with a moveable orifice block and adjusting nut on the lever end so it should be easy to set up for a compromise (I wont use the word balance 'cos it could confuse matters)
There was a link on here somewhere (but I can't find it) that gave all the IPs that various 2nd stages were happy at, I dont think you'll be far wrong if you set the IP to 9.5 bar (sorry don't do psi), and then set up the R190 first of all on the orifice position just in far enough to stop it hissing plus 1/12 of a turn then set the lever nut to get the purge to workso that the valve fully opens on "suck"
I look forward to your responce
Brian C
ScoobieDooo
Guest
Brian,
Its ScoobieDooo....taat2d doesn't do his own regs at this time - he'd have to get a LDS to do those adjustments.
Its ScoobieDooo....taat2d doesn't do his own regs at this time - he'd have to get a LDS to do those adjustments.
Faust
Contributor
Actually the problem you are describing is not stemming from your first stage. But are two different issues .You had stated in a previous post that it was cranked down and really hard to breathe. Those symptoms would occur if the first stage IP is set below about 140, if I recall correctly the IP for that model should bet set at 150.Your free flow problem seems to be that the lever height and spring tension in the second stage are not set to spec. One way to be sure that the second stage is not set correctly is a water test ... attach your reg to a cylinder and fill a sink with water... slowly lower you Primary in to the water face plate first mouth piece up and it should NOT start to free flow till the water reaches about the (maybe a little lower) curve of the mouth piece if it starts to free flow prior to that then the lever height and tension need to be adjusted .These things are like tuning up a Corvette at times and if you don't do all the time it takes a LOT of time to get right .
Just my Newbie 2cents
Just my Newbie 2cents
I'm not having a problem with my primary. As soon as I hook my 1st stage up and turn on the air I hear the air hissing out of the octo. It's not a huge freeflow but it is leaking quite a bit. When I brought it back to the LDS, they cranked down the 2nd stage ( I think), to stop the leak AND it made it like sucking a golf ball through a straw. If that the best it's gonna be then it's gonna get trashed and I'm gonna buy a different brand octo.
Faust
Contributor
Ok so ones leaking and the others not ,,,,,,,,,
If I had to hazard a guess it would be that you need to find a Tech at another Shop, casue this is not a very hard problem to fix.
It sounds like they tried to do a quick fix by lowering the IP so you would get a lower flow to either if your regs.If there is a constant flow (no matter how much) comming from one and not the other then the problem should be in the adjustment of the lever hight and spring tenson of yur octo.The Chances are that if in reassembly of the fist stage an O ring was missed both regulators would be burping (freeflowing)in both primary and second (octo)Agian with all due respect to the LDS that if the person who worked on your grear is someone who A)does not do it on a regular basis (meaning Mares is not the prime seller in the store) or B) has not sat throught a tech workshop on Mares products it will be Verry difficult to tune these regs as they should be tuned .I myself own an MR22 and Abyss for a number of years and have had the Tech class and still find it a challanges at times and I mantain a great number of Mares products for the LDS I work with.Not an eazy task.So First find out if the IP is set at Spec 140-150 tell them to set it there then they need to go to work in the lever higth and spring tension on your octo.This is a very solid product when it is mantained by the right people,,my gear is used relentlesly and has kept me alive for years.Hopefully your LDS will take some suggestions and rework this for you.
Again just My 2cents
If I had to hazard a guess it would be that you need to find a Tech at another Shop, casue this is not a very hard problem to fix.
It sounds like they tried to do a quick fix by lowering the IP so you would get a lower flow to either if your regs.If there is a constant flow (no matter how much) comming from one and not the other then the problem should be in the adjustment of the lever hight and spring tenson of yur octo.The Chances are that if in reassembly of the fist stage an O ring was missed both regulators would be burping (freeflowing)in both primary and second (octo)Agian with all due respect to the LDS that if the person who worked on your grear is someone who A)does not do it on a regular basis (meaning Mares is not the prime seller in the store) or B) has not sat throught a tech workshop on Mares products it will be Verry difficult to tune these regs as they should be tuned .I myself own an MR22 and Abyss for a number of years and have had the Tech class and still find it a challanges at times and I mantain a great number of Mares products for the LDS I work with.Not an eazy task.So First find out if the IP is set at Spec 140-150 tell them to set it there then they need to go to work in the lever higth and spring tension on your octo.This is a very solid product when it is mantained by the right people,,my gear is used relentlesly and has kept me alive for years.Hopefully your LDS will take some suggestions and rework this for you.
Again just My 2cents
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