The Mares Proton ICE vs Aqua Lung Legend series

[gabs]

I am looking to buy a regulator, but have no idea which company to go with. I am in the Bay Area and plan to go all over CA and into colder waters later on. Which regulators are the best buy for your money? I thought I was going to pick between Mares and Aqua Lung but after reading some reviews it seems that Zeagle and Apeks make pretty good regs.

Has anyone who uses the ICE found any real problems with the way they breathe at specific angle?

 

[DMTJLA]

I have the Proton Ice and it is great reg. The 2nd stage is compact , and being metal 2nd stage it is very light weight . I am not a fan of the Legen series regs they are the same as the Apeks and I was not to happy with that reg at all ( I know I will hear about this not loving Apeks) It was the most troubled reg I had ever owend, at the time I was a dive shop manager and yes I know what I am doing. I would stick with the Proton anyday over the Aqua lung /Apeks regs.

 

[Diver0001]

DMTJLA once bubbled...
I have the Proton Ice and it is great reg. The 2nd stage is compact , and being metal 2nd stage it is very light weight . I am not a fan of the Legen series regs they are the same as the Apeks and I was not to happy with that reg at all ( I know I will hear about this not loving Apeks) It was the most troubled reg I had ever owend, at the time I was a dive shop manager and yes I know what I am doing. I would stick with the Proton anyday over the Aqua lung /Apeks regs.

The Legend LX is basically the same 1st stage as the Apeks and while the LX uses the same balanced 2nd design the housing is different and, in my opinion, the Aqualung is a better reg. It's certainly drier and smoother breathing than the Apeks, especially inverted. I'd say the LX supreme is the best reg on the market right now and probably one of the best regs ever made. I don't see how it can be improved much without the addition of gills....

For a little less money I also wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Titan Glacia for cold water diving. It's an excellent reg in it's price class and a surprising performer.

The Mares reg is proably a good one too. However, I don't have any direct experience with them so I'll avoid speculating about it.

R..

 

[LUBOLD8431]

I will never own another Mares reg in this life...

Crap...

Get yourself a QUALITY reg like APEKS, or AQUALUNG...
Those are much better, and give you less trouble.

AND BTW, you must not have known that you didnt know what you were doing.....

 

[docmartin]

does anyone know if the apeks service parts kits would work for the legend?

 

[MercutioATC]

and I have to agree that it's dry in any position. It breathes great and the exhaust tee is wide enough that bubble interference is minimized. I've been very happy with it.