mares xr 28 HR no online pressence

[Eagle6]

So i'm a beginner diver living in europe and looking to buy my first set of regulators, I want to buy something good but not looking to buy premium. I would be diving a single cylinder (15L) with 2 valves. (i will be advanced open water by the end of the year)

I stumbled on a deal, I can buy a new sets mares xr 28 with hr second stage for about 320 euro's and a dual adj x62 set for 260 euro.

recap: xr28 fist stage with HR second stage and a 62x first stage with dual adj second stage for about 580€

The dual adj x62 is known for a good beginner combo and the xr28 looks like all pro's except for the weight and the fact that there is not many reviews.

So my question is, howecome the xr28 with HR has this little online presence? schould I look to otherstuff (no deep 6 or dive-rite in europe). The only brand that i can get for similar prices would be Tecline wich also has limited forum presence.

p.s.: I would prefer the mares because the large dealer network and the autoseal on the first stage (unless this is just a sales pitch)

 

[Mobulai]

Mares make great regulators, especially their 1st stages are superb at IP stability and cold water tolerance
I don’t have one myself, I only have a couple VR 2nd stages, but there’s some good details around their IP stability if you search enough

If your locals and support network is Mares oriented and you have a great price then stick to that, don’t bother if something is hyped or not on some forum

Regarding the 28/HR, IDK, I like the 62 (and I’m interested in one due to it’s tiny footprint)
Maybe @lowwall Has better input here?

 

[Chris-Wood]

I have the Mares XR regs for my twinset and deco cylinders. I have the 28HR 1st stages. Hose routing is nice, swivel turret, probably on the heavy side.

If the XR/28HR is a good deal, go for it, you won't be disappointed.

 

[rsingler]

Concur with the statements above.
Mares is one of the few major manufacturers doing significant innovative research. I am expecting a couple of exciting releases in the next year, contrasted with Scubapro's approach of putting one model's environmental seal on another body and calling it a new regulator. Or with Atomic Aquatics fantastic re-release of a center balanced valve design, but prohibitive pricing and nonexistent supply with zero support to date.
Mares has a unique air delivery pathway in its second stages that is unparalleled in icing resistance. As noted above, their first stages are VERY stable from full to empty tank. This is a key requirement since they still supply a variety of downstream second stage models.
If you have good local support, go for it! Your price is great. You can safely ignore ScubaBoard on this, because most here are very Scubapro or Apeks-centric.
I own the 28XR/HR and the 62x (as well as SP and Apeks, lol!) and am very satisfied with both in terms of performance and ease of service.

 

[Eagle6]

Concur with the statements above.
Mares is one of the few major manufacturers doing significant innovative research. I am expecting a couple of exciting releases in the next year, contrasted with Scubapro's approach of putting one models environmental seal on another body and calling it a new regulator. Or with Atomic Aquatics fantastic re-release of a center balanced valve design, but prohibitive pricing and nonexistent supply with zero support to date.
Mares has a unique air delivery pathway in its second stages that is unparalleled in icing resistance. As noted above, their first stages are VERY stable from full to empty tank. This is a key requirement since they still supply a variety of downstream second stage models.
If you have good local support, go for it! Your price is great. You can safely ignore ScubaBoard on this, because most here are very Scubapro or Apeks-centric.

Would you go with 2x 28xr, 2x 62x or one of each?

 

[rsingler]

Depends solely on whether you want a turret.
The Dual Adjustable is a slightly better second stage, IMO, but the differences are small.
The 62x is lightweight, and if you later decide that you want environmental sealing, you can add the TBP accessory.
If you don't yet know what you really want, one of each will eventually tell you.

But here's a small detail: if you're diving with an H or Y tank valve with two first stages right behind your neck, weight actually plays a role regarding trim, especially early in your career. I'd recommend two 62x's just so all that weight, coupled with increasing "butt buoyancy" when your tank is emptier, doesn't make you significantly head down at the end of the dive. Of course, if you're in thick neoprene or a drysuit with lots of lead, you can arrange it to make trim a non-issue, and you can choose whatever you fancy.

 

[Zef]

Would you go with 2x 28xr, 2x 62x or one of each?

This is really personal preference. Some folks will look at the rotating turret of the 28XR as a possible additional failure point and say the 62X is the better way to go. Others will look at how they dive and want to configure their hose routing and look at the 28 XR as the better way to go.

They do not share the same service kit, so that might be a factor. You could look into if one service kit is more expensive than the other and let that guide you if you want.

The reality is they are both solid 1st stages, so do some thinking about your diving, how you want to set up your gear, your budget, etc., and move forward with a decision. The only one that needs to be content with this purchase decision is you.

-Z

 

[rsingler]

Oh. And the autoseal on the first stage valve is just a gimmick. Always be careful at tank changes to keep droplets of salt water away from the connection. Carry a small dry rag. Unless you accidentally drop your first stage in the rinse bucket with no cap on at the end of the day, the ASD is of no benefit. Even with it, drops of water can be blown into the valve after the tank change if the connection isn't dry (think of a bouncing boat with lots of splash going to the next dive site while you're changing tanks). That creates real problems downstream during the two years between services.

 

[Eagle6]

Thx for all the info, last question, how low in temp. Could you take the dual adj 62x? Not planning to go ice diving but 5 degrees C is something we encounter in Belgium

 

[Zef]

Thx for all the info, last question, how low in temp. Could you take the dual adj 62x? Not planning to go ice diving but 5 degrees C is something we encounter in Belgium

I dove in Belgium regularly in the winter (Barrages, Vodelée, vodecée, villers-2-eglise, dour, Rochefontaine, etc.) with a Mares MR22 1st stage and Abyss 2nd stage, in waters down below 5c with no problems at all. I believe the internals of the MR22 are similar to the 62X.

You shouldn't have any issues, especially if you are diving with 2 first stages.

-Z