Scubapro vs Scubapro vs Mares

[Anh]

After much research and reading (scubaboard, among other), I have narrowed down my choice of regulators to the below:

1. Mares V32 Proton Ice Extreme
2. Scubapro MK17/S555
3. Scubapro MK17/G250V

The Mares and MK17/S555 is about 100 USD cheaper than the MK17/G250V

I live in Southern California, so any idea about serviceability of Mares versus Scubapro?

I don't dive ice and I don't plan to dive deeper than 150 ft, but I like my equipment to provide a good safety margin.

Which one would you choose?

Thanks...

 

[knowone]

Whichever can be incorporated in the best deal if you are buying other items.
Servicing will not be a problem. Ask them.

 

[BDSC]

My wife has the Scubapro MK17/S555 and loves it. I've dove Scubapro regs since I was certified back in 91 and they have always performed flawlessly. Recently I bought an Atomics but only because I got an incredible deal on a T2X.

If it were me, I'd go with either of the Scubapros.

 

[=C=]

As a G250/17 owner I'm pretty happy. Performance has been good and service as well.



My buddy dives your mares proton selection and I'm please to report after hundreds of dives together he is still alive. He does tend to forget his mask at home... so I would recommend if you go with the Mares to get a mask strap and wear the mask from your house to the dive site to ensure you have it for the dive.

also check out scubatoys... they have a mares reg on sale... I got my 17/G250's from Leisurepro...

 

[=C=]

looking at the prices I'd go with the Mares....

g250 - Search Results for g250 - www.leisurepro.com

Mares Proton V32 Metal Regulator reviews and discounts, Mares

A nice reg at a great price.

Honestly for so cal an MK2 would be sufficient. Its a great design and if you need more ports later you can magically have the makings of a nice stage rig.

 

[halocline]

A
I don't dive ice and I don't plan to dive deeper than 150 ft, but I like my equipment to provide a good safety margin.

Which one would you choose?

Thanks...

Safety has nothing to do with it. Dive safety is determined by dive behavior and judgment, not equipment, other than using unsafe gear. Please don't let a salesman try to confuse you to think otherwise.

That said, I would go for the G250V, even though it's more money. That 2nd stage is a classic, and for good reasons. It's one of the most successful and copied designs around. The S555 is smaller and has a plastic air barrel, neither of which would appeal to me, but then again it is sort-of a non adjustable version of the S600, which is another very popular and successful 2nd stage.

I'm not that familiar with the Mares stuff so I can't comment.

 

[Zung]

+1 for the G250V: my oldest one is from the 80's, my favorite one from the 90's, they all work like a charm, provide plenty of air down to way pass 220 feet, and very easy to service myself.

I've standardized on the MK20's for my 1st stages for pretty much the same reasons, but it can be anything balanced. I'm not very fond of the MK2's: they do breathe noticeably harder when you're low on air.

And +1 for the safety: it's not the gear, it's the diver. Once upon a time, my instructor told me: "you've got to dive, dive, dive..."; he's a CMAS guy, so he's paid by the dive and no by the c-card, but still, he's got a point: experience is what counts. In French, we say: "There's no good diver, there's old diver"

 

[Anh]

I had planned to buy from Leisure Pro, but it seems like they are not a Scubapro authorized dealer, so I will go with Mares. Scubapro everywhere else seems too expensive...

Thanks everyone for your feedback...

 

[Stu S.]

Scubapro everywhere else seems too expensive...

Many divers prefer to purchase gear at a local dive shop. Scubapro pricing is designed to support a large number of small dealers. If you'd rather buy from a volume seller, Mares and Oceanic are excellent choices.

 

[c5diver]

you might look at the abyss line as well in either a mr22 or mr42 first stage they can be upgraded to cold water regs with a dry cap but some dive them without it in very cold water with no free flow issues.