motorcitydiver:
I'm a Great Lakes diver diving with a Mares Orbiter reg (my first one) with an environmental package on it. I'm looking to purchase a new reg and I'm looking at the Proton Ice. My LDS is a Mares dealer and they speak highly of the reg, I've tried to find comparison info with this reg and other regs from ScubaPro and Apeks. How does the Proton Ice stack up to the other big names? Are there any comparison tests published anywhere? As a Mares rep why would you recommend the Proton Ice?
I am quite a big fan of Mares regs, and own several of them including two Protons. While the Proton is a great reg, I do prefer my older Akros regs for a couple of reasons. First, the exhaust tee is wider, and channels bubbles away from my field of vision a bit better. This is most noticeable when stopped or barely moving such as when using a camera. Secondly, the Akros/Orbiter has a larger diameter diaphragm. This gives a mechanical advantage to the lever mechanism, although the design of the Proton's lever does compensate somewhat by gaining some additional leverage from the load side.
Now, the real positives for the Proton as compared to the Orbiter. The Proton has an adjustment port in the side, which makes adjusting the lever much, much easier than the Orbiter/Abyss style metal body. This allows the repair tech to finely tune the reg easier, rather than using the "check, adjust, recheck" method. The Proton's cover can also be removed underwater if something has occurred such as the exhaust valve being forced open due to sediment or something else obstructing it.
My beloved Akros regs have the large diaphragm, metal inserts, and removable front covers. I use them for cave and wreck diving, while my Protons are used for single tank rigs. The only drawback to the Akros design is that it has a LOT more O-rings than the Orbiter/Abyss and Proton models.
I guess my dream for the perfect Mares reg would be to have a slightly larger Proton metal second stage body with a corresponding larger diaphragm, along with a large exhaust tee. Sort of a Proton on steroids. Man, at that point, you have a super reliable reg with very few O-rings, easily tuned, and great bubble dispersion. I believe that would be a winner in the technical oriented circles.
Mares has really been listening to its customers lately, and Phil Mintz is top notch. I have had personall dealings with him, and he is a real credit to the company.
Oh, and by-the-way, I also own AquaLung and Apeks regs.
Greg Barlow
Former Science Editor for Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine
