Mares Vector 1000

[ScubyDoo]

I have what may be a dumb question but I'll ask it anyway. I just recieved my Mares Vector 1000 BC which I ordered online. I know....shouldnt order online? I thought it would be okay since Im an easy size to fit (or so I thought). Anyway, I ordered a medium because it was the perfect size according to the chart. The small would have been to small and the large to large. Upon recieving it, I enthusiastically tried it on only to find that it was too large. I cinched up the adjustments as tight as they would go and it was still somewhat loose. What angered me the most was the design of the cumberbund. The male and female connectors for the lower release were actually sewn to the tounges on the cumberbund, which totally removes any ability for adjustments beyond a couple of inches. Is it just me, or is that a really stupid design? Shouldnt the connectors ( or the straps which they attach to) be attached further back along the sides, and maybe even to the inside of the jacket rather than the cumberbund tounge? Im thinking to myself..."surely this must be a manufacturing mistake, because surely the designer wasnt this stupid"??? Needless to say I will be returning the BC without opting for a smaller size, because it most likely will not fit either, and will still have the cumberbun limitation. And I thought the Vector 1000 was supposed to be really good BC? I think I'll go ahead and visit my LDS where I can get a more personalized fitting, even though the BC's they carry werent my first choice. Like I'm learning in class.......comfort and fit is the most important consideration. Has anyone heard of this cumberbund problem with the Vector 1000? Its so stupid I feel like calling them and asking them what the heck they were thinking!!!

 

[tombiowami]

Online Fit. And to add to the confusion they all fit differently underwater, and at different depths. What I do now, in ANY (shoes, pants, etc.) type of fitting situation in which I am buying online, I order 2 or 3 sizes of the product so I can try them on with comfort and ease in my home and then return the ones I do not want. I just factor in the return shipping as part of the overall cost. One added benefit to me of this is that I can try the item on without a salesman staring at me or just wearing it in the store. Some stores have restocking fees that can be substantial, I obviously stay away from these, and double check the return policy ahead of time.

Tommy

 

[Bob]

ScubyDoo,
If you're going to order a BC online, you need to at least try one on before you buy it, preferably dive in it. There's a dive shop in Benton that sells Mares gear. Check out http://www.scubadreams.net I think most people here would advise you to rent before you buy, especially since you are just starting out. I never :nono: buy dive gear unless I have tried it first. Following that rule will save alot of time, money and frustration. It has for me! Good Luck with your classes and Dive Safely.:tree:Bob

 

[Strick]

I purchase all my equipment online however, on items that require a "fit" so to speak. I will visit a LDS and try the items on, or get an idea. If I see something I like, and it fits... I will look online and see if I can purchase it cheaper (which is 99% of the time).
=-)

 

[Ari]

I use the same method, and most of the time it works.

As for the Vector 1000, one of my instructors has one and seems that he likes it very much. It might be that in case that the fit is not good, adjustability might be poor.

In any case, from what you wrote, it looks like it is not the best design in the world.

Ari

 

[neilstewart]

My personal experience with Mares BC's suggests that you can't rely on their sizing at all.

Buying my first BC I had decided to look at the Chrome, went to LDS and tried on Medium which was way too small, large was not in stock at that time so to get sizing I tried a large Platinum which fitted great. Went back a week later to pick up my large sized Chrome and it absolutely swamped me. Ended up paying a little more and bought the large Platinum I had tried the previous week.

The Medium Vector 1000 is too small for me and the large is way too big.

My LDS is prepared to compete with online prices, if he possibly can he will match any price I can find on the web for a product. You might try that approach.

Neil

 

[Tavi]

Look underneath the inside of the BC at the back. Some BC's have adjustments that are out of sight. When my wife was doing her training (some of the rentals were Mares BC's) she always got a BC that was to big. then an Instructor showed her the hidden adjustment points.
She used other BC's too I can't remember for sure if the Vector is one that adjusts this way.

Hope this helps!

BTW good BC, my son has one.
(if he lived nearby I'd go look to see if I'm right about this post)

 

[ScubyDoo]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and advice. I have discovered that the cumberbund on the Vector 1000 can be adjusted in the back, which would solve the cumberbund problem. I checked that last night and failed to see it? Bob, I did give the dive shop in Benton a call and they do have a smaller size in stock, so I will run down there and try one out. I would love to dive in one before buying it. I am totally ignorant as to how that process works, but I will ask about it. Do they let you get a brand new BC wet or do they have trial ones for that purpose? I wouldnt think they would want to let you try out brand new ones because of the likelyhood that you wont actually buy it?? I have a lot to learn. Thanks again everyone!! I'll let you know how it comes out!

 

[Bob]

ScubyDoo,
Bill won't let you take a new one out, but he might have one that he uses for instruction. He'll probably let you rent one of those. If he doesn't have one you can rent, ask if he knows of someone that does. Believe me, if he thinks you're interested in buying, he'll make something happen. The Mares is a good rugged BC. I've dived in Mares BC's for years, but I recently changed to a Zeagle Ranger. The Mares will be my backup from now on. Hope things work out for you. Maybe we can get together and dive this summer while I'm home on vacation.:tree:Bob

 

[ScubyDoo]

Bob,

I made it down to Bills dive shop down in Benton today. I explained my predicament to him. By this time I had come to the conclusion that the BC was probably just fine, and that it was more user error than anything else, so I wanted to visit someone who sold Mares and knew thier ins and outs. Just in case it wasnt user error, Bill had smaller and larger sizes there for me to try on. As it turned out I was cinching the BC up to much and.....well to make a long story short.....Bill set me straight!! He advised me how to adjust it properly and said it probably would fit just fine. He was right. Following his directions, the BC fits like a charm. So I guess you can chalk this one up to "inexperienced diver" syndrome.

I told Bill how I was referred to him and he was pleasantly surprised. I really liked his dive shop and the personal service he gave. I owe you a big thanks!! Had I known there was a local LDS who sold Mares, I never would have bought it online. Maybe we can dive together someday when you make it back this way. Hopefully I can get a little more experience under my welt belt by then. Thanks again for the great advice.