MR12: Mares? (AMF Voit) Swimaster?

[Thalassamania]

The MR-12 regulators, old and new are excellent regulators by any standards. I would not hesitate to purchase or use either. The current MR-12 first stage is not the same as the old one.

 

[Nemrod]

I would not purchase Mares. I would get an AL Titan LX. That coming froma long time Voit MR12 user. Mares service and backing is not very good and getting parts is impossible. N

 

[Thalassamania]

I would not purchase Mares. I would get an AL Titan LX. That coming froma long time Voit MR12 user. Mares service and backing is not very good and getting parts is impossible. N

I've had no problem getting parts.

 

[Nemrod]

I've had no problem getting parts.

Mares has a bad record of supporting their equipments unlike AL(USD) and ScubaPro. If it is more than a few years old Mares is not very supportive, other's opinions may vary, that has just been my experience. The Titan however is a piece of cake to get parts for and breaths as well or better than Mares offerings.

N

 

[Thalassamania]

If you need a part, let me know .. I'll see what I can do. MARES has changed management a bunch of times and that can screw things up, but whenever I've talked to the MARES folks at one of the shows or called I've gotten what I needed in a very reasonable time frame.

 

[Greg Barlow]

Voit MR12 - todays relatives?

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I have also posted this on another MR12 thread. Forgive the duplication, but it was an old thread.

I am working my way back into scuba, and one of the important items I need to buy is a regulator. I come to this discussion with a bias.

In my youthful years I dove with a Voit MR12. Now some of you know how old I am. While researching the changes in SCUBA gear, I find that my regulator of choice is now found on EBay as a collectors item! Now the rest of you know how old I am, but I digress.

I liked my MR12, a lot, it took me into many of Florida’s caves and sinks, far back and quite deep, with many dives over 200’ as well as out in the ocean. Not to mention what you already know about it’s acceptance by the Navy.

I also know a little about the Voit / Mares relationship, and that Mares now markets several regulators which they claim as the MR12 first stage or an improvement there upon. This makes me immediately want to like these regulators.

My questions are as follows. Are these Mares modern regulators really based on the original MR12? Or is this simply a marketing ploy?

As I am unlikely to dive the way I did in my youth, are any or all of these regulators adequate for today’s recreational diver?

I live in KY but have lots of family, (therefore make lots of trips to) Florida. I am looking for something reliable and durable at a reasonable price. I’m not big on flash, bang, or status. It would have to tolerate 45 degree water in Kentucky’s quarries, but would mostly be used in Florida springs and sinks and on wreck / reef diving. Certainly needs to be adequate to at least 130’, preferably to 180’.

I value any advice you can give.

BG

I will answer this question from one who has considerable experience in the realm of restoring and diving with Voit/Swimaster MR12 regulators.

First, yes, the current Mares regs do share some common parts with the original design. Obviously, not all the parts are the same, as evolutionary changes in a regulator occur through all lines. That said, I have several Voit regs that were manufactured in the time frame from 1968-1980 that have been converted to use Mares HP valve assembly parts. Also, the Mares second stage service kits for the discontinued MR12III regulator work perfectly with the older Voit versions (again 1968-1980 versions).

Secondly, two of my restored vintage Voit regs, an early MR12, and a MR12 II were run on an ANSTI Breathing Simulator. The same model used by the USN to test regs, and they both compliled scores that met the current European Union standards for modern regs. They didn't meet USN Class A standards, but easily provided enough air flow for a diver swimming at a fast rate while at 165fsw. Not bad for models designed "a few years ago".

I have also updated my vintage Voit regs by installing silicone second stage diaphragms. This has made a considerable difference, and in a typical reg, it dropped the inhalation cracking effort by more than 0.25". In fact, I set the cracking effort on my regs to 1.4-1.5", and in a normal swimming position, they deliver smooth, effortless breathing.

As far as the modern Mares regs go...I use two MR12 first stages on my cave diving doubles. They offer very good hose routing, and are extremely reliable with the new Mares tri-material HP valves. Most of my single tank dives are handled by one of my Mares Proton regs. I am very partial to my V42 Proton Metal system.

If you really like the original Voit MR12, then take a look at the Proton Metal regs. They are very similar to the originals.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

As far as parts go...That issue is much better since a couple of years ago. I am a Mares tech, and I seldom have any issues in obtaining the needed items.

Other lines also have similar issues. I hear often about how Scubapro doesn't experience such problems. I am also a Scubapro fan, and can tell you that they, too, don't have parts for all the vintage regs that they produced. Try getting parts for a Pilot, or for an AIR1. If you tear a second stage diaphragm in either reg, you now have a display piece. I have my first reg, a USD Calypso VI. There are no parts for the balanced piston first stage. I have had three USD dealers tell me that HP seats and pistons haven't been available for years.

Greg Barlow
Former Science Editor for Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine

 

[Nemrod]

If you need a part, let me know .. I'll see what I can do. MARES has changed management a bunch of times and that can screw things up, but whenever I've talked to the MARES folks at one of the shows or called I've gotten what I needed in a very reasonable time frame.

Thanks for the info, perhaps they are finally addressing the problems of the past. Managment changes can cause problems. I have sold off my Mares regs save for a few Voit rigs--pre Mares. Good to hear you are having no problems with parts.

N

 

[Bull Gator]

Thalassamania, Nemrod, Greg:

Thank you very much for your comments. All of this has given me some good ideas and much to consider. Don't be surprised if you hear from me again.

Bull Gator