Scubapro Vs Mares

[Sokratis]

I am looking to buy a new set of regulators

I am between Scubapro Mk25/S600 with a R395 Oct and Mares MR22 Abyss (2007) & Prestige Oct.

What is your opinion?

 

[ToPpS]

I haven't had the pleasure of using both sets of Regs.... so i can't give you an exact side by side comparison. I have tried a much older Scubapro reg when i was training and i'm putting that particular reg's bad performance down to needing a service and it's age...

I currently have the Mares MR22 Abyss with the abyss octo and it haven't a care in the world with it Breaths dry in any position that i've tried (upside down hovers and the like) and with no effort at all. It's light in the mouth, small and does everything asked of it.

I would change to the new Mares "Superflex" hoses, at least on your 2nd stage but then that's purely to reduce jaw and neck fatigue while diving.

Traditionally Scubapro is extremely well regarded for their "hard" gear (regs etc.), while not so well for their "soft" gear (wetsuits etc.).

The S600 is a very well supported and much loved reg by many members of this forum. And from what i've read all over the web, it's very hard to beat! and was one of the contenders for my own reg, with the Apeks XTX200 (my favourite:love3:) being the other.

The only thing to think about is that some people recommend using the MK17 first stage over the MK25, if you are diving in cold/dirty conditions.... This option is available straight from Scubapro. I imagine that living in Greece you will have the warm waters of the Med to dive in, so maybe it isn't an issue for you.

 

[Stu S.]

The old dry mouth is less dry using the Mares metal second stage. Moisture gets recycled as you breathe. If you can still get the Mares MV octopus regulator, consider it. It is compact and allows for use in both directions. As an owner, I give Mares regulators high marks.

I have used Scubapro, and it was 100% all right. These are sold through smaller dealers. The resulting high price makes a good product less attractive.

Have fun with it.

 

[Sokratis]

Right now what I think is the same as you Stu S. The high price of scubapro (almost double price) is making it a less attractive product.

And you are right about the cold/dirty conditions part ToPps. Even in winter this year the waters here were min 14 oC (57 oF) and I am not going to "work" with them.

So I either have to change the set to Mk17/S600 (less money) or go strait to the Mares set.

So far Mares have the point.
Thank you both for your opinion.

 

[Stu S.]

Lucky you are to be in Greece. Warm water divers don't need the most expensive gear. I've known folks to buy premium equipment, and have no money left to..... dive. It appears you are on the right track.

Stu.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I am looking to buy a new set of regulators

I am between Scubapro Mk25/S600 with a R395 Oct and Mares MR22 Abyss (2007) & Prestige Oct.

What is your opinion?

You can't go wrong with either choice, they are both fine regulators. They are, however, totally different designs. The Scubapro has a blanced piston 1st and barrel-poppet 2nd, and the Mares has a balanced diaphragm 1st and "classic-downstream" 2nd.

I've dove and really enjoyed Scubapro regs, but currently own a Mares MR-22 Abyss (probably the same model you are considering, I bought this one in 2007). It is very sturdy, breathes well, and has been totally reliable over the past two years.

The reason I chose the Abyss was not so much for cost, but I preferred the all-metal 2nd stage and simpler mechanical design.

But I think you would be very pleased with either (I know this is not any help, sorry).

Best wishes.

 

[ivobj]

My choice is SP or Apeks, among the ones you mentioned MK25/S600, someone mentioned the MK17, also very good, diferent principle, MK25 is balanced piston, MK17 balanced sealed diaphragm, MK17 is cheaper and usually better for cold water because there is no contact of the water with internal parts

 

[Interceptor121]

They are both fine regulators. I owned a Mares and then got a Scubapro as the first stage has a better performance, as reported on an article on divernet it breaths easy in all positions and in all conditions, furthermore it is lighter than the abyss

However if you work in remote areas you have to consider that Mares products have simpler design and less parts, which means after two day course you can maintain and service it yourself while scubapro are much more complex and though they are sturdy there is no change you can fix something wrong without specialised tools, also they are made of MANY more internal components

In terms of the price gap in UK there is some Ž£85 difference between the MK25/S600 and the new Abyss Mr22

I have an Mk25/S555 and after 100+ dives I don't have a single complain it is extremely easy to breathe and lightweight to pack

 

[ToPpS]

Yes but the new "Abyss Extreme" does look stunning! I want one