Mares R2 Axis and Vector Origin BC

[maltaman]

Hi there,

The local Mares supplier here in Malta is offering a deal including Bare wetsuit, R2 Axis regulator and Vector Origin BC. Am just wondering what people's experiences are with this gear - I'm basically a beginner, just finishing my AOW, diving will be done mostly up to max 35m in water temp. between 17 and 22 deg in the Med. Any comments??

 

[Jamdiver]

Hmmm what your dealer is offering you is a pretty bare-bones/entry level diving package. Besides all the usual caveats about buying gear that will last you a few years as your diving skills develop. I'd say that although this is a decent package, you could do better, especially with the reg. You could do better. Maybe with a Mares MR12 Axis pro reg.

When I was looking for a BC, I looked at the vector origin. Very nice, bare bones BC in fact it has good ratings from Scuba diving mag http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/buoyancy_compensators/no-nonsense_bcs/2/
I'm guessing that you'd be wearing a 5mm with a hood in those water temps? That's going to be a fair amount of lead on your waist, maybe you should look at a weight integrated BC in distributing that weight more evenly.

In short although I don't think you're buying 'bad' gear per se. I think you could do better, especially with regards to the reg.

 

[scubatoys]

You should be getting a very good deal on that reg... it is discontinued. It was replaced with the Rebel.. The MR12 Rebel would sell for about $175 for the 1st and second - so hopefully they are much cheaper than that for the unbalanced R2 Axis. But if it is only 125 or so - it's a good reg choice for that price range.

But I also agree, I'd step up to something weight integrated, like maybe a Dacor Talon if you want to stay in the Mares/Dacor family. I'll avoid the Zeagle comments, because I'm sure any minute you'll get to wade through the BP/W posts....