KenH
Guest
I have narrowed it down to these two regs....any comments on one over the other? Any experience with either one is appreciated!
KenH
KenH
MaresMR12Axis vs Auqualung Titan
- Thread starter KenH
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
jpdunc
Contributor
I'm recently OW certified so I don't have much basis for comparison, but my wife, son, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, and I all bought Aqua Lung Titan LX's and are very happy with them.
Hope this helps.
Hope this helps.
ScubyDoo
Contributor
I used the Titan during my OW training dives, but purchased the MR12Epos as my personal regulator.
The MR12 Epos has a MR12 first stage, but uses the Epos 2nd stage instead of the Axis. I bought it mainly because Mares has a long tradition of outstanding regulators. The Epos and the Axis are basically the same except the Epos has metal inserts which help to moisturize the air. That said I think I can comment on the Axis.
The Mares regs use larger hoses, which tends to make turning your head to the right more difficult. They also tend to have more bubble interference when motionless and looking straight ahead.
Most people are usually swimming foward so this is really of little consequence. All regs give bubble interference if the head is tilted only slightly upwards. The exhaust tees on the titan angle back slightly so bubbles tend flow behind the mask face.
The Mares regs are not neutrally buoyant which means they tend to feel heavy in your mouth, although I have not noticed this with mine?
I really liked the performance of the Titan. It felt comfortable in my mouth, was light, breathed very easily etc. The Mares also breathes very easy due to its VAD (Vortex Assisted Design).
Someone correct me if Im wrong, but I believe the Titan is an unbalanced regulator where the Axis is balanced? Most people wouldnt be able to tell the difference. A balanced regulator allows smooth breathing in all positions...(swimming upside down, looking up, etc.) I did notice with the Titan that when I looked up towards the surface that breathing became more labored.
They each have thier positives and negatives. I went with the Mares because its tried and tested and has been a proven performer. That gives me peace of mind. I liked the VAD, the metal inserts (Epos), its balanced, and Rodales gave it very high marks in its price range.
I will probably get a better regulator down the road, but this one will suffice for a beginner. I dont think you could go wrong with either one of them.
The MR12 Epos has a MR12 first stage, but uses the Epos 2nd stage instead of the Axis. I bought it mainly because Mares has a long tradition of outstanding regulators. The Epos and the Axis are basically the same except the Epos has metal inserts which help to moisturize the air. That said I think I can comment on the Axis.
The Mares regs use larger hoses, which tends to make turning your head to the right more difficult. They also tend to have more bubble interference when motionless and looking straight ahead.
Most people are usually swimming foward so this is really of little consequence. All regs give bubble interference if the head is tilted only slightly upwards. The exhaust tees on the titan angle back slightly so bubbles tend flow behind the mask face.
The Mares regs are not neutrally buoyant which means they tend to feel heavy in your mouth, although I have not noticed this with mine?
I really liked the performance of the Titan. It felt comfortable in my mouth, was light, breathed very easily etc. The Mares also breathes very easy due to its VAD (Vortex Assisted Design).
Someone correct me if Im wrong, but I believe the Titan is an unbalanced regulator where the Axis is balanced? Most people wouldnt be able to tell the difference. A balanced regulator allows smooth breathing in all positions...(swimming upside down, looking up, etc.) I did notice with the Titan that when I looked up towards the surface that breathing became more labored.
They each have thier positives and negatives. I went with the Mares because its tried and tested and has been a proven performer. That gives me peace of mind. I liked the VAD, the metal inserts (Epos), its balanced, and Rodales gave it very high marks in its price range.
I will probably get a better regulator down the road, but this one will suffice for a beginner. I dont think you could go wrong with either one of them.
Zept
Contributor
The Titan LX first stage has a balanced diaphragm -- see the Aqualung Web site for details. The second stage is pneumatically balanced.
I have one, but I've only done a couple of dives with it so far.
Zept
I have one, but I've only done a couple of dives with it so far.
Zept
Scubydo, "balanced" when applied to the first stage indicates that the internal design is such that the supplied intermediate pressure does not vary significantly with changes in tank pressure. Historically, the Conshelf design, which is carried over to the Titan, is an adaptation of the first stage used in the Navy approved Royal Aquamaster two hose regulator which was produced from 1964-74. A major selling point of the early single hose regulators was that they too used the RAM balanced first stage. The MR12 also uses this proven concept.
The so called balanced second stage came along later. Different manufacturers borrow this term and use it in different ways. I can only comment directly on the pioneer, Scubapro, who produced the balanced second since 1980. However, I suspect the Aqualung LX uses a similar arrangement while the Mares line is quite different. Briefly, the SP regulators employ a mechanical arrangement similar to that used in balanced diaphragm 1st stg regulators(but not balanced pistons). The intent seems to be to allow for the lightest possible spring tension on the downstream valve which therefore produces lower cracking effort and easier breathing. This tension is variable and compensates or "balances" dynamic changes in pressure seen at the valve. Clear as mud? Well, the result is easier breathing but much more complexity. These balanced first and second stages can have as many as 40-50 individual parts each.
The so called balanced second stage came along later. Different manufacturers borrow this term and use it in different ways. I can only comment directly on the pioneer, Scubapro, who produced the balanced second since 1980. However, I suspect the Aqualung LX uses a similar arrangement while the Mares line is quite different. Briefly, the SP regulators employ a mechanical arrangement similar to that used in balanced diaphragm 1st stg regulators(but not balanced pistons). The intent seems to be to allow for the lightest possible spring tension on the downstream valve which therefore produces lower cracking effort and easier breathing. This tension is variable and compensates or "balances" dynamic changes in pressure seen at the valve. Clear as mud? Well, the result is easier breathing but much more complexity. These balanced first and second stages can have as many as 40-50 individual parts each.
A short and sweet reply: used an Axis for about 6 months, 'bout 50 dives, max depth 100'. No problems, easy breathing. Sold it to a Buddy and bought an Abyss.
Ari
Moderator
The second stage is an Epos, which I like very much. It breaths easily and I did not have any problem with so far. The Octo is axis, which is also very nice breathing, easy and doesn't free flow.
I would recomend it easily. The price is good and performance is very nice. It is highly recomended.
Ari
I would recomend it easily. The price is good and performance is very nice. It is highly recomended.
Ari
Similar threads
