Mares Proton 12 or Oceanic Alpha 8?

[soamelt]

Does anyone have any experience with either the Mares Proton 12 Metal or the Oceanic Alpha 8 Sport with DVT? I am looking for a moderately priced regulator and it have it more or less narrowed down to these two. I'll pretty much only be diving in warm waters (south Florida) and want something that is Nitrox compatible (for future use) out of the box. Thanks.

Greg

 

[shoturtle]

If nitrox is a big concern between the two. The oceanic alpha 8 px 3 would be the one for you. The proton 12 is not nitrox ready out the box. The ones form Mares that is nitrox ready out the box is the rebel 12 and the abyss 22. The abyss is way more expensive the the alpha 8 sport, but the rebel 12 is less. The mares proton rebel and abyss are balance diaphragm reg while the oceanic px 3 is a balance piston and is the more expensive or the two oceanic models,while the alpha 8 sp5 is a unbalance piston.

If it was between the mares rebel 12 and the alpha 8 px3, I would go with the mares because it is a diaphragm. Just a personal preference for balance diaphragm regs. Between the rebel 12 and the alpha 8 sp5 sport, the Mares hands down. But if you can find a old alpha 8 cdx5 balance diaphragm, it would be a tough choice. The rebel is rate for 100% oxygen while the oceanic is 40%.

Check out lp they are authorized dealers of both Mares and Oceanic.

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/Cate.../DescSort_0/Filter_1=438/OCNA8CDX5.html?Hit=1

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/Cate.../DescSort_0/Filter_1=437/MRSMR12RR.html?Hit=1

 

[soamelt]

Thanks for the advice. I ended up with something completely different - Zeagle ZX-50D, hopefully I'll be happy with it. Although I'm sure anything beats the crappy rental gear that I was using.

 

[shoturtle]

That is a good reg, enjoy it.