Mares vs Cressi vs Beauchat

[kjmover]

Hi Divers,

I'm new to scuba board. I'm looking at purchasing 1 of the following regs. I'm looking for a comparison between Mares Proton V42 Metal, Cressi Sub Ellipse Titanium and the Beauchat VX10 Iceberg. I've searched the existing thread archive but haven't found what i'm looking for. Is this a fair comparison? Cadillac (Mares) vs Chevy (Cressi & Beauchat) as the pricing would indicate. I don't mind spending a $ to get a top quality reg that will last for many years. is there any distinct advantage or diadvantage to any of these choices. I dive mostly warm water on a recreational basis.

thx,

kjmover

 

[scubatoys]

A lot will be personal preference. As far as the Cressi... I'd kinda cross that one off the list. It is really not titanium - other than one lever in the second stage, and we did not have very good luck with those.

The other regs are both good regs - but it's interesting that you say you are doing mainly warm water - and yet you go with a cold water choice in there (the iceberg).

So you do plan on doing some very cold dives as well??

And the 2 regs have different features. For example, if you were torn between the iceberg and a Zeagle DSV and an oceanic delta IV - that would make a bit more sense... as they are all sealed, adjustable cold water regs with a standard size second stage.

The mares is non-adjustable and smaller. Not that either choice is right or wrong, just that you are teetering between two dissimilar regs is something to think about.

I'd figure out if you want the adjustment (which I like) and then if you want the cold water capabilities, and get the reg that matches what you want to do with it.

Here in the states... both cressi and beauchat have really lost a lot of market share, so there are not a lot of places to get them worked on. But that could be a lot different in your area.

 

[h90]

A bit of topic: I bought a Mares Abyss+Rebel Octopus in czech republic. In Thailand I found out that the Rebel does not work, it has a production failure. And Mares didn't help me at all. Actually they looked like angry that I didn't bought it in Thailand (I can't buy a set for every land). There was than a lot internal discussion but it seems every Mares distributor can do what he want.

I had as well a problem with my Beuchat BCD (also bought in the Czech republic). The locks for the integrated weights may open to easily. I wrote them a short email to the headquater and got on the next day an answer "Yes we know that problem already, CC Thailand Distributor: send him 2 piece for free", without any question for the invoice, where bought, how old.......

So if you want to use it outside, check for the international warranty.....

 

[bvmjethead]

Buy the brand that you can get parts and service for locally.