Regulators: Scubapro or Mares???

[mckinness]

There is a reason behind the name Scubapro. DEEP DOWN YOU SHOULD WANT THE BEST!! Not saying mares is bad, but scubapro/uwatec are Legends in the dive industry and innovators. Let's say you are going to the grocery store to buy canned pineapples. Do you buy Dole? or Always save brand. They are both pineapple, one is select cuts, the other is bits and peices that has tried to emmulate Dole. Thats my opinion. GOOD LUCK

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

There is a reason behind the name Scubapro. DEEP DOWN YOU SHOULD WANT THE BEST!! Not saying mares is bad, but scubapro/uwatec are Legends in the dive industry and innovators. Let's say you are going to the grocery store to buy canned pineapples. Do you buy Dole? or Always save brand. They are both pineapple, one is select cuts, the other is bits and peices that has tried to emmulate Dole. Thats my opinion. GOOD LUCK

Canned pineapples??? Coming from Hawaii, having walked in the pineapple fields and worked on tugboats hauling barges full of pineapples; I just couldn't let that analogy slide... I know pineapples, after all

Scubapro indeed makes very fine, outstanding regulators. I've used them, as far back as the mid-1970's, and always liked them. But "Deep Down You Want The Best" is a great marketing slogan only, not an accurate statement of relative quality, especially these days... and I find it a really an interesting slogan for Scubapro to use since Mares set depth records with their MR-22 Abyss a few years ago, and a frequent poster has stated that he's had the old Mares standard, the MR-12, to 500 fsw.... fairly "Deep Down" by any standard I'd say

Mares has not tried to "emmulate" Scubapro to my knowledge; why would they want to? They have a fine product that uses a different design approach to achieve the same end, and this differentiates them from other manufacturers.

As far as history of the two, I'm sort of "fuzzy" on that (I started diving in the mid-70's, I used Scubapro and Aqualung back then). I believe Scubapro as a company is around 40 years old (1960's?). On Mares' website they state they are approaching 60 years (but were they Dacor before?? I honestly don't remember/know).

So, hype and marketing aside, it pays to look a little deeper (sorry, just can't get past the Scubapro slogan ) when looking at regulators and brand names in general.

Cheers!

 

[Zak OHara]

Canned pineapples??? Coming from Hawaii, having walked in the pineapple fields and worked on tugboats hauling barges full of pineapples; I just couldn't let that analogy slide... I know pineapples, after all

Scubapro indeed makes very fine, outstanding regulators. I've used them, as far back as the mid-1970's, and always liked them. But "Deep Down You Want The Best" is a great marketing slogan only, not an accurate statement of relative quality, especially these days... and I find it a really an interesting slogan for Scubapro to use since Mares set depth records with their MR-22 Abyss a few years ago, and a frequent poster has stated that he's had the old Mares standard, the MR-12, to 500 fsw.... fairly "Deep Down" by any standard I'd say

Mares has not tried to "emmulate" Scubapro to my knowledge; why would they want to? They have a fine product that uses a different design approach to achieve the same end, and this differentiates them from other manufacturers.

As far as history of the two, I'm sort of "fuzzy" on that (I started diving in the mid-70's, I used Scubapro and Aqualung back then). I believe Scubapro as a company is around 40 years old (1960's?). On Mares' website they state they are approaching 60 years (but were they Dacor before?? I honestly don't remember/know).

So, hype and marketing aside, it pays to look a little deeper (sorry, just can't get past the Scubapro slogan ) when looking at regulators and brand names in general.

Cheers!

Well said. Just to clear the air, Mares was not Dacor before. Mares purchased Dacor in the late 90's. Dacor in the early days was a very strong and dominant equipment manufacturer however many things lead to it's fall and this is where we came in.

I'm sure of the regs you discussed you will be happy with either of them. We feel ours are better primarily because we achieve the same result without all of the parts, but this is our opinion and ultimately for you to decide. Marketing is an amazing animal...

Back to the car analogy. Someone recently asked me what my perception of the most dependable brand / auto manufacturer is. I suggested probably Toyota or Honda. I was then told it was an American manufacturer (don't recall which one, Ford, Chevy or other). My point is, due to marketing and perpetuated myth, perception isn't always reality.

Happy and safe diving regardless which manufacturer you choose!

 

[justin31]

Also a side note,....Beyond brand you should also purchase something that can be serviced close to you, as well as something that fits the diving that you do now as well as where you see yourself in the future. As far as breaking the bank,...I agree that it is not like that any longer. But keep in mind that this is a life supporting piece of equiptment. That said, Most shops sell their brands, so most shops have them in rental also...see if they have something your interested in and Im sure he will let you try it out!!

Also Kudos to you Mudhole.....