I have a dacor regulator now and I need a new one. I've been leaning towards scubapro, but the dive shop promotes mares heavily and I'm not sold on either one. I'm finishing up my advanced open water in a couple weeks, but will probably keep getting certifications and would like to go extended range some day. What is a good regulator that I can get that won't break the bank? Is that even possible?
Regulators: Scubapro or Mares???
- Thread starter gb7519
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nereas
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What if you were in the market for a Ferrari and the shop promoted Volkswagens?
What would you do then???
What would you do then???
LeadTurn_SD
Contributor
gb7519: You don't need to "break the bank" to get a decent regulator these days. In fact, you have to try really hard to find a bad regulator. If you buy a regulator in the "middle" of the product line from most any of the major manufacturers you'll end up with a good regulator.
An important decision ( THE Decision ) is really where you plan to have your regulator serviced.... this influences whether you decide to by from the local LDS or online. If you like your LDS and feel that he/she will provide quality service (not all are created equal when it comes to servicing regs), then stick with your LDS. If not, shop around.
Mares makes fine regulators. So does Scubapro, Apex, Aqualung, Oceanic.... the list goes on. The nice thing is you get to choose what you like the best, and as I mentioned above, it is pretty tough to make a bad choice. So if you have your heart set on Scubapro, go for it!
By the way, my regulator is a Mares MR-22 Abyss which I really love. I'm sure I would also love most regs made by Apex, Atomic, Scubapro, Aqualung, Oceanic, Zeagle, Dive Rite.... see a pattern?
Lot's of great choices out there.
Have fun!
An important decision ( THE Decision ) is really where you plan to have your regulator serviced.... this influences whether you decide to by from the local LDS or online. If you like your LDS and feel that he/she will provide quality service (not all are created equal when it comes to servicing regs), then stick with your LDS. If not, shop around.
Mares makes fine regulators. So does Scubapro, Apex, Aqualung, Oceanic.... the list goes on. The nice thing is you get to choose what you like the best, and as I mentioned above, it is pretty tough to make a bad choice. So if you have your heart set on Scubapro, go for it!
By the way, my regulator is a Mares MR-22 Abyss which I really love. I'm sure I would also love most regs made by Apex, Atomic, Scubapro, Aqualung, Oceanic, Zeagle, Dive Rite.... see a pattern?
Lot's of great choices out there.Have fun!
floridanewbe
Contributor
welcome aboard
Ferrari = scubapro
vw= mares
IMO.
Ferrari = scubapro
vw= mares
IMO.
Bratface
Contributor
I have been pleased with my Scubapro, never fails, breathes easily in any position. Try them out in a pool if you can and see for yourself.
Thanks lead turn. I talked to a guy this weekend and his shop doesn't sell scubapro. He said they were great regs he just didn't carry them. He showed me an apex, and then went on to give me an impromptu 30 minute lesson on different reg types. I'm taking you advice and buying a regulator from his shop. It's going to be an apex, and this guy really seems to know a lot more than anyone else I've run across.
In the past, (just like cars) there was a wide gap in quality. Today, the quality difference between ScubaPro and Mares is quite small. The real choice is better determined by the local service available. If you are surrounded by ScubaPro dealers, get the ScubaPro. If however, Mares is in every shop, get the Mares. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.
gb###########, "What we have here is a failure to communicate" You asked a question, and friendly people tried to explain their honest opinions, to help you. If you don't bite, I'll try a different analogy. . . In the beginning was a hose off a high preassure air tank, and you opened and closed the valve, and hoped you didn't blow out your lungs. Along came Cousteau and a gas engineer in wartime France, they created the two hose regulator. A short time later two makers in two countries combined the first and second stages in a single hose regulator, everthing else is slight modifications of those two designs from the 1950's. Patents have run out and you can start building your own.
Now not all regulators are the same, precise fit and finish make all the current regulators better than 1950's. Different materials have improved comfort, plastic rather than chrome plated brass makes the second stage more comfortable in the mouth. ScubaPro has been making regulators longer than most other manufacturers, and repair parts are available for designs over 30 years old. Some makes of regulators won't have repair parts for 10 year old designs. . . If you burn out of diving in 3 or 4 years, like a majority of new divers that won't matter.
You met a local dive shop, that has spent time with you, and recommends his brands. . . If you want to stay with this shop, buy from him and support his business, so that he can help you and other divers in your area. Many divers will use this man for information, then turn to the internet for a few dollars in savings. . . I still can't connect my tank for an internet air fill.
Click the "Forums" button on the top of each page. . . you'll find a huge list of diving topics including regulator advice. Very few divers have ever test dived all the manufacturers. . . But any manufacturer that had bad regulators is long out of business. Enjoy jumping around the forums good or bad weather, you can read reports of divers in the tropics, and look at their underwater pictures on the "Photo Gallery".
LeadTurn_SD
Contributor
Actually, since both are Italian, a more appropriate (and accurate) car comparison:
Ferrari = Scubapro (although some may say Fiat :mooner: , just kidding, I've dove Scubapro regs and love them, but chose Mares for reasons noted below)
Lamborghini = Mares
Both are great performers, reliable, but with different design philosphies. Scubapro = adjustable 2nd stages; Mares = simple, downstream, non-adjustable 2nd stage, generally less internal fiddly-bits to achieve same end results. IMO
