Mares regs

[Redshift]

I came across the opportunity to get a good value on a Mares Abyss 22 nitrox reg.
Mares are not common among the people I have dived with and I was surprised to see that despite their advertized cold water characteristics, they don't have a sealed 1st stage. Apparently people have not been having problems with this if taking basic measures to prevent free-flows so I guess I'd be ok with it... but then there's another another situation where I think the open 1st stage could be problematic, when diving in more silty conditions (which often happen when in caves).
Any thoughts or experiences with these regulators?

 

[Fishpie]

It's a diaphragm reg and is sealed by design. Mares do make an "environmental" kit if you want to add a second diaphragm.
It's one of the easiest regs to self service.

Silt will never be a problem to the 1st stage.

2nd stage cannot be disassembled by hand underwater.

 

[Redshift]

Thanks for the info.

 

[fish149]

I dive cold water (40-50) all the time with my abyss 22 and it's never free flowed on me. After the first two years I did add environmental kits just to add a little extra reassurance.